What would Saint Thomas à Kempis say about Facebook?

What would Saint Thomas à Kempis say about Facebook and other social media?

Here is a quote from the Twenty-Fourth Chapter of The Imitation of Christ, Avoiding Curious Inquiry About the Lives of Others

The Voice of Christ

 

MY CHILD, do not be curious. Do not trouble yourself with idle cares. What matters this or that to you? Follow Me. What is it to you if a man is such and such, if another does or says this or that? You will not have to answer for others, but you will have to give an account of yourself. Why, then, do you meddle in their affairs?

 

Behold, I know all men. I see everything that is done under the sun, and I know how matters stand with each—what is in his mind and what in his heart and the end to which his intention is directed. Commit all things to Me, therefore, and keep yourself in good peace. Let him who is disturbed be as restless as he will. Whatever he has said or done will fall upon himself, for he cannot deceive Me.

 

Do not be anxious for the shadow of a great name, for the close friendship of many, or for the particular affection of men. These things cause distraction and cast great darkness about the heart. I would willingly speak My word and reveal My secrets to you, if you would watch diligently for My coming and open your heart to Me. Be prudent, then. Watch in prayer, and in all things humble yourself.

 

To abstain from self-justification under accusation

The focus of the uproar over the accusations against Father Corapi seems to have shifted away from speculation on his guilt or innocence.  Most people seem to have accepted the fact that we just don’t know what happened with Father Corapi and we should wait for more information.

Of course that realization has not stopped people from buzzing and blogging about Father Corapi.  The focus now seems to be on Father Corapi’s statement defending himself and the details of Father Corapi’s relationship with Santa Cruz Media and the propriety of Santa Cruz Media’s defense of Father Corapi.

Father Corapi has been quite aggressive in his own defense and has dragged Santa Cruz Media into the commotion which has (in my opinion) just added fuel to the fire.

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The uproar over Father Corapi

I have never seen so much interest in any Catholic news story as I have in the recent situation with Father Corapi’s suspension.

My take on the guilt/innocence issue is that we are all sinners and we should not be surprised if Father Corapi stumbled.  It is just crazy to think that our clergy never sin.  My guess (which I suppose is as good as anyone else’s) is that Father Corapi is innocent and his accuser is unbalanced.  But that is just a guess and I really have no business even speculating on the subject.  When we get ourselves excited about incidents like this we distract ourselves from the kind of attention we should be giving to our faith and we make ourselves look like fools to the rest of society.

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