Siblings

God made older sisters so young men could be instructed on the mysteries of femininity. And God made younger brothers so young women would know what they were getting into. But older brothers exist to protect those who come after, and younger sisters exist to remind us that there are things worth protecting.

Saints

Our priest quipped at Mass that a young boy once told him, in reference to the Saints depicted in stain glass windows, that "Saints are those the sun shines through." Beautiful imagery and also very true. Many seem to fear that dying to themselves and living in Christ will make them less themselves. The imagery here reminds us that the Saints are not made less, but rather more distinct through the light of Christ.

Secrets

Secrets and lies serve only our sins.  They hide in the shadows of our shame.  Only by being revealed and exposed can sin be expelled.  Only through the Grace of God can we open ourselves to His light.

Broken

I am broken and ruined, yet somehow God loves me.

Carpentry

Jesus spent His human life as a carpenter, but His best wood work was as God. Carpentry prepared the way for the Cross.

Pride

Pride is best at recognizing itself in others, for proud people cannot meet without a conflict of wills. And pride is worst at recognizing itself in the self, for proud people cannot believe they are less than what their pride claims. Obedience, then, is a fitting cure, for even one who believes himself great can obey, and in obeying, be in truth humble.

Parish

You can measure the health of any given parish by the lines for confession.

Blow

Chesterton suggested that a blow is bad because it humiliates, not because it hurts. If true, we should turn the other cheek! Remember, if you can be humiliated then you're not humble enough. Interestingly, this also means that defense motivated by factors other than our pride may be perfectly legitimate, dispelling the “Jesus is a pacifist” and “all violence is evil” arguments.

Love

"Love" is an answer easily given, but not so easily lived.

Satan

Satan has no sense of humor.  He, like all proud creatures, cannot tolerate laughter, because they can never take themselves lightly.  And Satan must be taken seriously for his temptations to tempt.

Generous

Never regret being generous.

"-isms"

Christ, not capitalism, is the cure and hope for the world's poor. Christ, not communism, is the sure source of justice.  For who but Christ has shown such charity while sharing such poverty?

Surprised?

Is anyone really going to be surprised by this, if it is true?

http://networkedblogs.com/dJVWr

Lusts

The only escape from the lusts of the Devil are the pains of the Cross.  Lord let me always have Thy Cross to cling to!