All I Want For Christmas Is Stripes
No... not THAT Stripes!

NYPD Green recently posted something that I've had on my mind ever since. Specifically, he said - "...you wouldn't want to stand in front of St. Peter and have him ask you why you do not have any scars, would you?"

And that got me thinking about what St Paul said - 2 Corinthians 11:23 (Douay-Rheims Bible) - They are the ministers of Christ (I speak as one less wise). I am more; in many more labours, in prisons more frequently, in stripes above measure, in deaths often.

And as we all know, by "stripes" St. Paul meant scars from whippings.

But I digress... for all those weak in their Faith, be they lay, Religious or cleric, may WE take the stripes of suffering for them.

For all those ashamed of loving Christ and His Church, be they lay, Religious or cleric, may WE take the stripes of suffering for them.

For all those who are lukewarm and attempt to be everything to everyone, be they lay, Religious or cleric, may WE take the stripes of suffering for them.

For all those who really do know better, but are timid to make a stand, be they lay, Religious or cleric, may WE take the stripes of suffering for them.

Charity covers a multitude of sins. Seeing that so many fellow Catholics, be they lay, Religious or cleric, have thrown aside their cross of suffering, it might be a good idea if we take it up for them.

I can think of no better gift for The Christ Child.