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Jesus preached in the Temple, speaking the truth, and angering some people who then plotted to harm Him.

As the priest looks at his congregation, preparing to preach and teach at Mass, he should remember how needy they are. Their souls are as much in need of healing and nourishment as sick bodies are.

As the years pass, one priest leaves the altar and another follows in his footsteps to offer the Holy Sacrifice. The priest is called to preach, and to care for the flock: yet the greatest work of all takes place at the altar.

As the years pass, one priest leaves the altar and another follows in his footsteps to offer the Holy Sacrifice. The priest is called to preach, and to care for the flock: yet the greatest work of all takes place at the altar.

As the years pass, one priest leaves the altar and another follows in his footsteps to offer the Holy Sacrifice. The priest is called to preach, and to care for the flock: yet the greatest work of all takes place at the altar.

Some priests need much help. They are unwilling or afraid to teach the whole truth that they were called to preach and teach. Their work will be as unsuccessful as the work of an artist who, claiming to draw a camel, draws only three camel's legs, and one leg of a horse. The creature, if it could walk, would give an uncomfortable ride.

"Would St. Paul Recognise it?" The Lord showed me the 'New Gospel' preached today by those who dissent from the Church's teachings, and who rarely mention sin or punishment, and speak as if it is easy to be saved, no matter how a person chooses to live.

Just as a mother distracts a child with something 'good' before removing a dangerous object, so God gives good gifts to the Church through Radiant Light, and other new ecclesial movements, as a prelude to 'removing' poor catechesis, cowardly preaching, and other spiritual dangers very widespread today.

If the Bishops would examine their diaries, they would see what proportion of their time is spent in teaching the Faith, or directly encouraging people to put it into practice. They will be accountable to God, when they die, for the state of the souls in their care.

God receives the greatest honour when the priest's supreme desire at Mass is to give glory to Him through a reverent offering of the Holy Sacrifice. A good priest also wishes to edify the congregation, but he recognises that the Mass is God's act: infinitely powerful and effective no matter how well or badly the participants prepare and take part.

Those Christians who struggle to be Christ-like in difficult circumstances do well to 'look' at Christ's earthly life. The founder of Christianity lived in His own country as a man of peace; and he spent much of his time healing as well as preaching. His followers should be people of peace.

It is the Lord's wish that our Bishops teach and reinforce the 'basics' of the Catholic life, which include regular and reverent Liturgical and private prayer, care of family and the needy, celebration of feasts and fasts, love for the Church, for the glory of the Holy Trinity, following Jesus.

Christ sees, as one of the sad mistakes in the Church today, the failure of some of the Clergy to speak necessary truths. Some are afraid to speak about marriage, or reverence, in case they 'drive people away'. Mutual flattery replaces the frank catechesis we need.

The Lord told me that the Bishops, gathered together for a special anniversary celebration, presented an impressive picture of Episcopal power. Yet there are questions that each Bishop should ask himself, about his own oversight and teaching in his own diocese.

How many Bishops preach against abortion, the Lord asked, and against contraception, unchastity, desertion of spouses and neglect of children? Who do we hear much more about other less important topics?

There are many vocations wherever a 'high' view of the Sacred Priesthood is held, and where priests are seen as 'other Christs', with authority to govern, guide, preach, bless and forgive and offer the Holy Sacrifice.

There are many vocations wherever a 'high' view of the Sacred Priesthood is held, and where priests are seen as 'other Christs', with authority to govern, guide, preach, bless and forgive and offer the Holy Sacrifice.

It is not good enough for the Clergy to say, about careless, unwise celebrations of the Mass: 'People are used to it'. Whatever is shoddy, irreverent or in any way unworthy of Heaven should be put right.

The Lord asks the Bishops to look back at their lives. Have they ever failed to speak out about morals, for example, for fear of upsetting people or driving them away?

Every Bishop will one day give an account to Christ, of what he has done to save the souls of those in his care when on earth, looking after Christ's flock. A wise Bishop reflects, today, on what he will one day say in Christ's presence.