"To learn your statutes." - Ps 119: 71
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The more I think about the Fr. Corapi affair, the more I see it as a good thing. I speak from experience. Without going into personal detail, I can tell you that to be accused, shamed, and ostracised - deservedly or not - though painful, difficult and troubling, is always providential and grace-filled. If one prays, there are always great lessons to be learned. It is purifying to the soul, and if one is perfect (I'm not - maybe Corapi is) it can be redemptive and reparative for others. Our nature rebels at first, but after reflection, self-examination and prayer, we find our peace and equilibrium in Christ, our rock. While the mountains of our reputation tumble into the sea, and the facades of our own or other's construction tumble down, we are brought back to our early love and dependence upon God alone. We turn once again to God's mercy and love that once found us broken and battered in the gutter of personal sin. God alone is good.
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"Though proud men smear me with lies, yet I keep your precepts." - Ps. 119: 69
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I should probably look it up for the actual passage in her works, but St. Teresa scolded her nuns for being too concerned about their reputations and honors, while she disdained any income for her foundations. One must not forget that she herself was subject to the Inquisition without complaint. There is so much to learn from the humility and example of the saints. And of course we can't forget, John of the Cross was imprisoned and persecuted by his own congregation. These troubles were the source of great graces for the saints - just as our troubles can be for us... "It was good for me to be afflicted, that I might learn your statutes."
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I find it edifying that we are all praying for Fr. Corapi, some of you even participating in public novenas, hoping that Father will be exonerated; but what is more interesting is how we pounce on those who have been accused of similar things, justly or falsely, and because they may not be as 'conservative' as a Corapi, we fore go any defense or support and set out to vilify and condemn those who by their office, we are still obliged to show respect and obedience. It is good to be afflicted in conscience about our double standards and bias.
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Good lessons to ponder here I think - at least for me.
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"The season of judgement has begun, and begun with God's own household." - 1 Peter 4: 17
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