Father John Corapi
Are any of us yesterday's garbage just because we fell from grace by the standards of those that freely cast judgement?
I was reading an article about Father John Corapi a Catholic priest that was once the shinning star of the faith. He had his own TV show on EWTN and was heard on the radio worldwide. Father Corapi was a household name in the Catholic circles as well as many others. He was revered for his love and knowledge of scripture. Everything was great UNTIL
A few months back it was reported that Father Corapi was involved in some misconduct that led to his stepping down as a priest. A man once the epitome of everything people of faith thought was right was now the doormat for people to cast their opinions and judgement. On top of the world one day and damned to hell the next. Oh my the pedestal we place people on.
I am not here to defend nor condemn Mr Corapi, what I am here to do is draw a parallel between his life an ours. You see in life we all seek fairness when it pertains to ourselves and justice when it pertains to others. I personally have no idea of the innocence or guilt of Mr Corapi but what I do know is that he has a profound knowledge of spirituality and has the charisma to reach people. I find it rather interesting that the church or people of faith cannot find a way to embrace the strengths he has. His talent for sharing Christ cannot be placed in the closet by rules and regulations. He may not fit the mold of what society deems GOOD but for that matter how many of the Apostles did? Jesus saw through their past because he knew that they had what it took to move people to action. I believe Mr Corapi has proved that he has the same talent.
I often refer to Paul in the scriptures. Here is a man that was horrible especially to Christians. He had made it his life mission to free the world of the new wave of spiritual prayer warriors called Christians. He spared nothing in an effort to rid the world of their petulance. Oh wait I am describing the man that became the greatest Christian of all time. He almost single handed put Christianity on the map. How the heck did that happen? Jesus (God) saw potential in him. He saw that given the right set of circumstances this man would change the world. Keep in mind if it had been left up to the Christians of the time they would have wanted Paul killed, condemned, stoned, cast out, etc. God saw something more.
Left in our hands we condemn yet we do not think any of our own actions deserve condemnation. I believe that we all make mistakes, we all do things we wish we could undo but we can't. There is no turning the clock back to take the shot over. However through the grace of God we are given another chance. Well we are in God's eyes even though in the public eye we can be labeled for life.
The point being made here is simple, do not judge others harsher than you judge yourself. As Jesus says in Luke "do not poke a splinter in your neighbors eye when you have a plank in your own".
Every week I write about love and forgiveness. I will always write about it. I am convinced that black, white, gay or straight we all have a welcome mat in the eyes of God. Love all people, forgive often, and accept freely. Mr Corapi I believe with all my heart that you have what it takes to move people to action. Even though you are down I know you are not out. God saw something in Paul and there are plenty of people that see something in you.
The one of you without sin cast the first stone or better yet since we are all sinners so let's embrace and change the world together.
peace to you
Dale
I was reading an article about Father John Corapi a Catholic priest that was once the shinning star of the faith. He had his own TV show on EWTN and was heard on the radio worldwide. Father Corapi was a household name in the Catholic circles as well as many others. He was revered for his love and knowledge of scripture. Everything was great UNTIL
A few months back it was reported that Father Corapi was involved in some misconduct that led to his stepping down as a priest. A man once the epitome of everything people of faith thought was right was now the doormat for people to cast their opinions and judgement. On top of the world one day and damned to hell the next. Oh my the pedestal we place people on.
I am not here to defend nor condemn Mr Corapi, what I am here to do is draw a parallel between his life an ours. You see in life we all seek fairness when it pertains to ourselves and justice when it pertains to others. I personally have no idea of the innocence or guilt of Mr Corapi but what I do know is that he has a profound knowledge of spirituality and has the charisma to reach people. I find it rather interesting that the church or people of faith cannot find a way to embrace the strengths he has. His talent for sharing Christ cannot be placed in the closet by rules and regulations. He may not fit the mold of what society deems GOOD but for that matter how many of the Apostles did? Jesus saw through their past because he knew that they had what it took to move people to action. I believe Mr Corapi has proved that he has the same talent.
I often refer to Paul in the scriptures. Here is a man that was horrible especially to Christians. He had made it his life mission to free the world of the new wave of spiritual prayer warriors called Christians. He spared nothing in an effort to rid the world of their petulance. Oh wait I am describing the man that became the greatest Christian of all time. He almost single handed put Christianity on the map. How the heck did that happen? Jesus (God) saw potential in him. He saw that given the right set of circumstances this man would change the world. Keep in mind if it had been left up to the Christians of the time they would have wanted Paul killed, condemned, stoned, cast out, etc. God saw something more.
Left in our hands we condemn yet we do not think any of our own actions deserve condemnation. I believe that we all make mistakes, we all do things we wish we could undo but we can't. There is no turning the clock back to take the shot over. However through the grace of God we are given another chance. Well we are in God's eyes even though in the public eye we can be labeled for life.
The point being made here is simple, do not judge others harsher than you judge yourself. As Jesus says in Luke "do not poke a splinter in your neighbors eye when you have a plank in your own".
Every week I write about love and forgiveness. I will always write about it. I am convinced that black, white, gay or straight we all have a welcome mat in the eyes of God. Love all people, forgive often, and accept freely. Mr Corapi I believe with all my heart that you have what it takes to move people to action. Even though you are down I know you are not out. God saw something in Paul and there are plenty of people that see something in you.
The one of you without sin cast the first stone or better yet since we are all sinners so let's embrace and change the world together.
peace to you
Dale
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