Joseph and Fr. John

"19 As soon as the master heard his wife's story about how his slave had treated her, he became enraged. He seized Joseph and threw him into the jail where the royal prisoners were confined. But even while he was in prison, the LORD remained with Joseph; he showed him kindness by making the chief jailer well-disposed toward him." Genesis 39: 19 - 21

While praying for Fr. Corapi, I saw a parallel of his situation with Joseph in Genesis. Below is a short piece from the narrative:

God in His loving providence allowed the pure and innocent Joseph to be falsely accused by a womanof attempted rapeand then sent to maximum security prison with hard labor for years. This is very instructive when considering the case of Fr. John Corapi. I believe it is entirely possible and consistent with God's ways of acting to allow Fr. John Corapi's faith to be tried in the manner it is being tried today. What Fr. Corapi’s followersneed to do is to pray for himwith complete trust in God and have no anxiety at all. This also reminds me of the passage in St. Paul where he wrote about spiritual warfare in his letter to the Ephesians: Those of us who are familiar with Fr. John Corapi’s teaching know that he taught a lot about spiritual warfare.

"10 1 Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. 11 Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. 13 Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. 14 So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, 15 and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all (the) flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit. To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones " Ephesians 6: 10 - 18)

Sent by the Lord Jesus

“Brother Saul, I have been sent by the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, so that you may recover your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 9: 17)

The Lord Jesus sends me to bring you the peace of Easter.
The Lord Jesus sends me to bring you words of comfort.
The Lord Jesus sends me to bring you words of encouragement.
The Lord Jesus sends me to bring you the consolation of the Holy Spirit.
The Lord Jesus sends me to bring you BREAKFAST.

Baptism and Confirmation

“When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, and they went down there and prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit, for as yet he had not come down on any of them: they had only been baptized in the name of Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 8: 14 – 17)
In Acts of the Apostles, Luke the writer documents for us the faith and the practice of the early Christian community. The above scripture shows that the early Christians considered Baptism a distinct sacrament from Confirmation. The Samaritans were first baptized. Then the Church in Jerusalem sent Peter and John, bishops to confirm the people. The Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles and other New Testament passages show clearly the centrality of Baptism, Confirmation and the Sacraments in the faith and practice of the early Church. Today, only the faith of the Catholic tradition maintains this teaching of the early Church.

Bloom where you are planted

“It would not be right for us to neglect the word of God so as to give out food; you, brothers, must select from among yourselves seven men of good reputation, filled with the Spirit and with wisdom, to whom we can hand over this duty.” (Acts 6: 2 3)
Bloom where you are planted.
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you identify your ministry. Then be who you are meant to be and you will set the world on fire. (St. Catherine of Siena) Peter and his fellow apostles were focused on the mission given them by Jesus. They were not denigrating the ministry of distribution of food to the poor. That ministry was marked out for some other people. As a result of the situation described in the above scripture, the Church has today the office of the permanent diaconate. The permanent deacons are resourceful men committed to the service of the Church.