Seeing With Christian Eyes

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Gary Zimak

“The eyes of the world see no further than this life, as mine see no further than this wall when the church door is shut.? The eyes of the Christian see deep into eternity.” (St. John Vianney)

You’ve all heard the expression, “Seeing is believing”.? It reminds us of the emphasis we place on our senses.? From an early age, we are taught that if we can see, touch or feel something, then it exists.? While this approach will help us to survive in the world, it can sometimes get in the way of our faith.

As Catholics, we are often called to believe what we don’t see.? The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, sacramental grace, the power of prayer and the reality of Heaven are all invisible to our worldly eyes, but can be “seen” with the eyes of faith.? Seeing in this manner will help us to lives our lives as people who realize that this life is only temporary.

Provided through the gifts of the Holy Spirit, this special kind of “vision” allows us to see God’s presence, even in the unpleasant and difficult things that occur in our daily lives.? It is this “vision” which helps us to be nice to?people even when we don’t feel like it, knowing that this is how we?attain our salvation.? It is this “vision” which allows us to remain peaceful when all looks dark, knowing that all will work out “in the end”.? It is this “vision” which guided Mary, Abraham, Moses and so many others who trusted even when their earthly eyes could only see darkness!

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I Am With You Always…

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Gary Zimak

Sometimes I just need a reminder…Thank you, Jesus!

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Father Corapi – Just The Facts…UPDATED

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Gary Zimak

UPDATE (5:48 PM) 😕 After listening to Father Corapi’s latest message this afternoon, I want to emphasize a few things:

1. Father Corapi and all affected parties DESPERATELY need prayers.? PLEASE PRAY!

2. Father Corapi is very angry and is lashing out at many people and the Church.? LISTEN VERY CAREFULLY to his messages, as they are very contradictory, not Christlike, ?and are damaging the unity of the Church.? Could you picture the Lord using Father Corapi’s words?

3. I AM NOT JUDGING FATHER CORAPI or stating that he?is guilty of any of the charges leveled against him.? I am, however, concerned for the souls that he is leading astray with his destructive messages.? Please stay close to the Church and you’ll never go wrong!

As much as I’d like to completely put the situation with Fr. Corapi to rest, I feel that I have an obligation to comment or present facts when appropriate.? Since there has been so much speculation about who’s being treated unfairly and the “flawed” process, here are 2 very good articles which contain some facts that may help to enlighten us.?

The first one contains some comments from Father Corapi’s superior and provides some new details about the investigation and the second gives insight into the Church’s investigation process.? I’ll let the articles speak for themselves.

In the meantime, please continue to pray for all concerned.

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John Corapi – Where Do We Go From Here?

Posted on June 19, 2011 by Gary Zimak

The past 24 hours have been very enlightening for me.? I’ve reached a new record for traffic on my website, which normally would make me happy…but I wish the circumstances were different.? My blog about Fr. Corapi’s decision to leave the priesthood generated lots of interest (to say the least). ?I was called everything from a “fool” to “sensible”.? While it’s not fun to be attacked, I really do appreciate all of your comments.? I have to applaud you for caring enough about your faith to comment.? I spent some time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament and I reread my blog several times and I’d like to clear the air about a few points. ?Although I’m very passionate about the Catholic Faith and sometimes get carried away, I’ve always considered myself to a fairly reasonable and charitable person.? I’d like to ask you to read the following statements and let me know what you think.

Why did I feel the need to write about this?– When the initial accusations against Fr. Corapi came up, I chose not to blog about them.? I did post a comment on Facebook asking for prayers for all parties concerned.? I didn’t know the details and I thought it best to remain silent.? On Friday, Fr. Corapi announced that he was leaving the priesthood, launching a new website and now referring to himself as the “Black Sheep Dog”.? Later that evening, I received a message from one of my readers stating that she is thinking of leaving the Catholic Church because of the unfair way that Fr. Corapi was being treated by the Bishop of Corpus Christi.

That was it…I HAD to write about the matter.

Let’s take a look at some of the facts in this case:

1. Father Corapi could be innocent – It is entirely possible that Fr. Corapi is completely or partially innocent of all charges and that the bishop and his superiors are treating him unfairly. If this is the case, he must be suffering terribly and that’s a great tragedy. What’s more tragic, however, is that by his decision to walk away from the priesthood, he is giving up the opportunity to clear his name. ?However flawed the system may be, it is the only way for him to be cleared and return to active ministry as a priest. ?I don’t see that as a good choice on his part.

2. Father Corapi could be guilty – As hard as it is to accept, Fr. Corapi could be guilty of some or all charges.? Assuming that there is only one accuser, there are only 2 people who know that answer for sure. By leaving the priesthood, the process comes to an end and the truth may never be known.

3. Father Corapi’s actions and statements bring division to the Church – Like it or not, I’m standing by this one.? Here are some of Corapi’s words – directly from his new website:

Suffice it to say that I love the Catholic Church and accept what has transpired. Unfortunately, the process used is inherently and fatally flawed, but the bishops have the power, apparently, to operate anyway they see fit. I cannot give a lengthy explanation of what has transpired, but I can tell you that the most likely outcome is that they leave me suspended indefinitely and just let me fade away. They can?t prove I?m guilty of the things alleged because I?m not, and they can?t prove I?m innocent because that is simply illogical and impossible. All civilized societies know that. Certain leaders in the Catholic Church apparently do not.

I did not start this process, the Bishop of Corpus Christi, Texas ordered my superiors, against their will and better judgment, to do it. He in fact threatened to release a reprehensible and libelous letter to all of the bishops if they did not suspend me.

They (the bishops) choose to selectively ignore or violate both Canon Law and Civil Law, as they deem appropriate and or expeditious. Once again, they apparently have the discretionary power to do this, and if that?s the way it is I have to accept that as reality.

In a time when the authority of the Catholic Church is under constant attack, Fr. Corapi chose to make statements that will turn people against the successors of the Apostles, the bishops.? Don’t believe me?? Take a look at all of the negative comments on the Internet directed toward the Bishop of Corpus Christi.? The basis for these comments? ?Fr. Corapi’s accusations. Could some or all of his statements be true?? Possibly, but even if they were, did he have to express it publicly, knowing what the reaction would be? Wouldn’t it have been more prudent to say that he’s leaving the priesthood for personal reasons and ask everyone to respect his privacy?

Could I have been more charitable? – Yes, and for that I apologize.? My comments about “extinguishing him from my life” were harsh and inappropriate.? My attempt to play off of Corapi’s words (“I’m not ready to be extinguished”), came across as cold and uncaring. While that was not my intent, I should have chosen my words more carefully.? The point I was trying to make is that because of his suspension and subsequent actions, I will not recommend or use his materials. ?I stand by that position and would encourage others to explore the materials of Fr. Bob Casey, Fr. John Trigilio, Fr. Larry Richards, Archbishop Fulton Sheen, Fr. Benedict Groeschel, Fr. Mitch Pacwa and other good priests who are not currently suspended. You can disagree, but that is my opinion. ?I will never recommend the works of any priest who is under suspension or who speaks poorly of the Church hierarchy.

Where do we go from here? – I strongly recommend that you pray for Fr. Corapi and all involved in this tragic situation.? Please make it a practice to pray daily for all of our clergy and religious.? Satan is attacking them on a daily basis and rejoices when one of them falls.

To all of my new readers, I hope you’ll stick around as we walk together on the road to eternal life.? To all of my existing readers, thank you for your support and “keeping me honest” when needed.? If I offended any of you, I apologize and ask for patience as I try my best to proclaim the truth of our wonderful Catholic Faith in a truthful, but charitable manner.

I tried my best to be fair, without too much “sugar coating”.? Let me know what you think…

Posted in Father Corapi, priesthood | 15 Comments

What Fr. Corapi Doesn’t Get

Posted on June 18, 2011 by Gary Zimak

His supreme business was to be a Savior; but for the moment that included obedience to His earthly guardians. (A reflection on Luke 2:51 by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, from his book Life Of Christ)

By now, many of you are familiar with Fr. John Corapi’s decision to voluntarily leave the priesthood due to his dissatisfaction with the Church’s handling of the allegations of misconduct leveled against him.? In case you missed it, here is the drama filled video from the man now known as “The Black Sheep Dog”, John Corapi:

As I’ve stated before, I was always a fan of Fr. Corapi’s and I loved to hear him preach.? His series on the Catechism of the Catholic Church was tremendous and?helped me to learn and love my Catholic Faith.? The thing that I appreciated the most from his talks was his love for the Church and her shepherds.? Instead of criticizing them, Father Corapi reminded us to pray for our bishops because “they have the hardest job in the world”.? That’s not what I heard from the “Black Sheep Dog” last night:

“I did not start this process, the Bishop of Corpus Christi, Texas ordered my superiors, against their will and better judgment, to do it. He in fact threatened to release a reprehensible and libelous letter to all of the bishops if they did not suspend me.”(Fr. John Corapi, June 17, 2011 from his website)

I previously blogged about the fact that the Church’s message is always more important than the messenger.? That goes for Fr. Corapi, Mother Angelica, Archbishop Sheen or your local parish priest.? The minute we put all of our eggs in one basket and become a follower of any one individual instead of a follower of Christ, we are asking for trouble.? Over the course of the next several weeks, many people will side with Corapi and attack the Church for their handling of this matter.? We should remember that the decision to leave the priesthood is Corapi’s alone and not that of any Church authority.

I have no idea who is telling the truth in this case and there’s a good chance that I never will.? I have prayed for Fr. Corapi and his accuser every day since the story broke and will continue to do so.? What I do know is that the “Black Sheep Dog” is making a big mistake.? He is abandoning his vocation to the sacred priesthood because he feels that his message needs to be heard.? In other words, the mission of the Church can’t go on with out him.? Guess what?? It can and it will.?

If Father Corapi is innocent (and he may be), then he is being asked to carry a heavy cross right now.? Carrying that cross could have done tremendous good.? His followers would see an example of humility and of obedience to the Church he claimed to love.? Fr. Corapi’s suffering could have released many souls from purgatory and could have been used as penance for the many offenses against the Sacred Heart of Jesus.? Instead, the “Black Sheep Dog” has chosen to reject that cross because “he is not ready to be extinguished”.? The practice of humility, obedience and acceptance of suffering was willingly embraced by Jesus and must be embraced by all of His followers.? Unfortunately, Father Corapi doesn’t seem to?get that message.? Fortunately,?there are?plenty of good holy priests, religious, and lay Catholics who do “get it” and will continue to spread the “Good News” of Jesus Christ.? They do it by preaching the gospel and remaining faithful to the Church, even when it hurts.

Farewell, Mr. Black Sheep Dog.? I’ll continue to pray for you.? I have learned much about my Catholic Faith from you and I am grateful.? However, until you come to your senses, I’ll never purchase, recommend, watch or read any of your materials.? As far as I’m concerned, in my life…

you are extinguished.

Posted in Father Corapi, priesthood | 85 Comments

Let’s Give The Holy Spirit Some Credit!

Posted on June 17, 2011 by Gary Zimak

Yesterday I wrapped up my series on the 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit.? When thinking about these gifts, many of us will respond with the words:

“So what!”

We sometimes fall into a wishy-washy, fluffy interpretation of the 7 gifts and the overall role of the Holy Spirit and that’s a BIG mistake.? Instead of recognizing His gifts in our lives, we end up taking credit for them.? Before I put the topic of the Holy Spirit to rest, let’s take a look at 7 reasons why the Holy Spirit REALLY matters in our lives:?

wisdom – Helps you see God working in your life.? Did you ever meet someone who has lost their job and says that they’re not worried because they know that the Lord has a better job for them?? We often look at people like that and assume that they are either crazy or “out of touch with reality”.? Quite often,?what they have is the gift of wisdom.

understanding – Allows you to better grasp revealed truths.? Why do some Catholics accept all the Church’s teachings and others have issues with contraception, cohabitation, Mass attendance, the Real Presence or many other things?? Don’t overlook the gift of understanding.

knowledge – The ability to put created things in their proper perspective.? Several years ago, I felt that?I was buying too many useless things.? I told a priest that I felt I was too materialistic, but I really enjoyed buying “toys”.? He reminded me that humans are materialistic by nature and said that?I should ask the Lord to take away some of that desire.? Gradually, I began to care more about spiritual treasures.? The odds are good that I received an increase in the gift of knowledge.

counsel – Guides you to make the “right” choice in a given situation.? Sometimes we just know what to do.??While we often attribute this to our own wisdom, the ability to make the correct choice is often due to the gift of counsel.

fortitude – Helps you to pursue your faith, even when you must pay a price.? For years, I was afraid to profess my faith publicly.? I rationalized by telling myself that “faith?is a private matter”.? Now I’m all over the Internet and the radio telling people that I love Jesus and the Catholic Faith.? What got into me?? Probably an increase in the gift of fortitude.

piety – Makes you love God and all of His creatures.? Some people make fun of those who they think are inferior.? Priests and nuns are often ridiculed and criticized.? Why do some of us love them and all of God’s children?? You guessed it…piety!

fear of the Lord – Reminds you to do the “right” thing when your body wants to do something else.? Did you ever feel like telling someone off, looking at some indecent pictures or not going to Mass on Sunday?? However, you decide to do the right thing because?you realize that you’re going to be judged for your actions after your death?? There’s a good chance that the Holy Spirit just gave you a little extra fear of the Lord!

While I’m not implying that we don’t deserve credit for trying to be good, I do think that we don’t give enough credit to the Holy Spirit and His working in our lives.? As much as I’d like to deny it, I have a tendency to be lazy, self-centered and love comfort.? In spite of this, I often manage to behave in a way that pleases God.? There’s no way that I deserve the credit for that…

Thank you, Holy Spirit!

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The 7 Gifts Of The Holy Spirit – Fear Of The Lord

Posted on June 16, 2011 by Gary Zimak

Fear of the Lord is easily the most misunderstood out of all the Holy Spirit?s gifts.? Simply put, fear of the Lord is the gift of reverence for Him as our creator.? It allows us to remember exactly who we are and who He is. ?This concept is often forgotten in today?s society as many people believe that they, not God, know best.

The gift of fear is the first step toward conversion for many who are far from God.? It is also the beginning of love.? Many of us were initially called to a deeper conversion because of the fear that we would someday by judged by Almighty God for our actions.? Due to our fallen nature as human beings, we are prone to comfort-seeking, laziness and ultimately ? sin.? Very few of us set out to sin because we want to be bad. ?Instead, we fall into sin because it feels good at the time.? In his book My Daily Bread, Fr. Anthony Paone comments that when we bring sin into our life, we make ourselves an object of God?s justice. ?In other words, someday we will be accountable to God for what we have done in this life.? Through the gift of fear, the Holy Spirit can prompt us to seek forgiveness through the sacrament of confession and to reform our lives.

The Bible states that ?He who finds wisdom is great indeed, but not greater than he who fears the LORD. Fear of the LORD surpasses all else. Its possessor is beyond compare.? (Sir 25:10-11) and ?The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.?(Ps 111:10). St. Teresa of Avila writes, ?Love will make us quicken our steps while fear will make us look where we are setting our feet so that we shall not fall.?

In closing, let?s look at a prayer composed by Fr. Paone in his aforementioned book:

My God, I do not want to presume so much on your love or to forget your justice. You will someday deal with each man according to his works. I desire to make good use of all the gifts which your love daily sends me. May I never forget that I must one day account for my misuse of these gifts. This thought will help me to fight sin and to please you more in my daily life. Amen

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The 7 Gifts Of The Holy Spirit – Piety

Posted on June 15, 2011 by Gary Zimak

The gift of piety allows us to relate to God as our loving Father and the rest of mankind as our brothers and sisters.? It helps us to see everyone as a child of God.? Through this gift, the Holy Spirit teaches us to have a childlike relationship with God the Father. ?It also helps us to understand that God always wants what is best for His children.? The manifestation of this gift allows us to lovingly petition the Father for our needs, knowing that He will provide us with what’s best for our salvation.

According to St. Thomas Aquinas, piety also helps us to have a childlike love for our Blessed Mother, the angels, saints and the souls in purgatory. ?In an earthly sense, it also helps us love the Pope, our parents and those who are in positions of lawful authority over us.? Overall, the gift of piety gives us a desire to please God in all things and helps our prayer to become more affectionate.? If your prayer life ever becomes dry and cold, it would be wise to pray for an increase in this gift.

Next: The Gift of Fear of the Lord

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The 7 Gifts Of The Holy Spirit – Fortitude

Posted on June 14, 2011 by Gary Zimak

Let’s continue our discussion of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit by examining the gift of fortitude.? For this post, I?d like to step aside and present the thoughts of three great Catholic theologians: Blessed Pope John Paul II, Mother Angelica, and Fr. John Hardon.? They do a much better job explaining fortitude than I ever could!

Enjoy?

Pope John Paul II (from a homily on Sunday, May 14, 1989)
The gift of fortitude is a supernatural impulse which gives strength to the soul, not only on exceptional occasions such as that of martyrdom, but also in normal difficulties: in the struggle to remain consistent with one?s principles: in putting up with insults and unjust attacks: in courageous perseverance on the path of truth and uprightness, in spite of lack of understanding and hostility.? When, like Jesus in Gethsemane, we experience ?the weakness of the flesh? (cf. Mt 26:41; Mk 14:38), or rather, of human nature subject to physical and psychological infirmities, we should ask the Holy Spirit for the gift of fortitude to remain firm and decisive on the path of goodness.? Then we will be able to repeat with St Paul: ?For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; for when I am weak, then I am strong? (1 Cor 12:10).

There are many of Christ?s followers ? pastors and faithful, priests, religious, and laity, engaged in every area of apostolic and social work who in all times, including our own, have experienced and experience martyrdom of body and spirit, in intimate union with the Mother of Sorrows beside the Cross.? All have been victorious thanks to this gift of the Spirit.

Let us ask Mary, whom we now greet as Queen of Heaven, to obtain for us the gift of fortitude in all the vicissitudes of life and at the hour of death.

Mother Angelica (various reflections on fortitude)
He strengthens me with fortitude when I feel too weak to accomplish the tasks He has given me.

It is one thing to accept the cross; but when there is no end in view and the cross gets heavier, the Spirit of fortitude gives me the power to endure the things I can neither change nor eliminate.

I can accept a headache with comfortable ease knowing it will be better tomorrow, but if it were a painful cancer, I would have to ask for the Spirit of fortitude.

I can accept a difficult personality for an hour or so, but if it is for a lifetime, I need the gift of fortitude.

I can accept misunderstanding for a little while, but when it turns into hatred and I am helpless to correct it, I need the gift of fortitude.

?My Power is at its best in weakness,? said Jesus to Paul?and this is fortitude. (2 Cor. 12:9)

This brings me to another aspect of fortitude?the ability to wait.? It takes an inner power to wait and maintain any semblance of serenity. When I must wait for:

the conversion of a friend
the return of health, mine or others
the recognition of a job well done
the arrival of a loved one
the settlement of a dispute
the forgiveness of a friend
the reconciliation with an enemy
the cessation of pain
the control of my own weaknesses
the time when all men will be brothers
and the journey?s end

Then…

I need the gift of fortitude.

Fr John Hardon, S.J. (from a retreat for the Missionaries of Charity)
So the gift of fortitude, first of all, implies, that doing the will of God is not easy.? We need help from the God who tells us what His will is, to do His will.? Again, the gift of fortitude implies that there are obstacles to doing God?s will.? I’ve got six obstacles, this is my way of preparation.

First, the obstacle from the very nature of things. Any things that we have to do are simply not easy.

Secondly, the difficulties that we have in doing God?s will, secondly, arise from our fallen human nature.? We just are not inclined to do what is God?s will.? We want to do what we want.? May not be very hard to do, but you?re not telling me what to do!

Thirdly, the difficulties arise from the world in which we live.? The world makes doing God?s will difficult.? And in fact, very difficult.? It tries to make it impossible.

Number 4, what makes doing God?s will difficult?? The devil.? And he knows us.? As I?ve said over the years to so many people, the more sincerely you want to serve God, the more the devil will tempt you, especially through discouragement, worry, anxiety.

Number 5, what can make doing God?s will difficult?? It can be God?s plan for us.? God has His own plan. He may have ours.? God planned that I would become a religious, and go on for the Priesthood.? You can?t imagine the obstacles that He put in the way.

Number 6, God designs of what He wants done.? In other words, God has His own ideas.? Once our minds are clear on what is God?s will, then we need fortitude.? In other words, no matter what anybody else is doing, we know what God wants us to do, and we do it!

The gift of fortitude is a supernatural, inclination which enables the will to do great things for God with joy, without fear, and in spite of all obstacles.

Next: The Gift of Piety

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The 7 Gifts Of The Holy Spirit – Counsel

Posted on June 13, 2011 by Gary Zimak

Today we?ll look at the gift of counsel.? This gift helps us to have a good conscience and keep on the path that leads to God.? Simply?put, it allows us to make the?right?decision in a particular?situation.? More than?”good judgment”, counsel?is a supernatural gift sent to us from God.? In Psalm 32, God?reminds us of His assistance:?

?I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk, give you counsel and watch over you? (Ps 32:8).

While it’s comforting to know that the Lord provides this gift, we often neglect to make use of it?when we need?it.? As humans, it’s often difficult to break from the attachment to our own?judgment and trust in the counsel provided by the Holy Spirit.? In his book The Way, St. Josemaria Escriva writes, ?Never make a decision without first stopping to consider the matter in the presence of God.??? Unfortunately, we often ignore this advice and, as a result, make many “bad” decisions.

Jesus assures?us of the effectiveness of this gift?in the following Scriptural passages:

?When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say.? You will be given at that moment what you are to say.? For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.? (Mt 10:19-20)?

?The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name?he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.? (Jn 14:26)

We?ll close with a prayer for an increase in the gift of counsel written by St. Alphonsus Liguori:

Holy Spirit, divine Consoler, I adore You as my true God, with God the Father and God the Son.? I adore You and unite myself to the adoration You receive from the angels and saints.? I give You my heart and I offer my ardent thanksgiving for all the grace which You never cease to bestow on me. Grant me the gift of counsel, so that I may choose what is more conducive to my spiritual advancement and may discover the wiles and snares of the tempter.

Next: The Gift of Fortitude

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