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Even as we pray to Christ, offering our lives in His service and praying for help in our need, we can be certain that He is holding us, and all our concerns, close to His heart. Indeed, He is holding us in existence; and all that concerns us - life, family, work, friends, prayer, struggles, church - is of concern to Him too.
Whoever 'offers up' her suffering in union with Christ in His Passion, and prays for people in need, can be sure of bringing help to sinners, or the sick or lonely, and others. It's as if those needy souls are brought close to God, in a great procession, as His healing light shines upon them - even if the one praying has no idea who is being helped.
It is the Will of Christ that each Mass be offered with reverence and gratitude, in accordance with the rubrics. Wherever Clergy act in 'creative' ways disobedient to the rubrics and causing distraction in other ways, those present should focus on the heart of the Mass: the Real Presence, and Christ's Sacrifice - as if with Mary at the foot of the Cross.
We can no more know what it is 'like' at the heart of the Godhead than we can know what it is 'like' at the centre of an exploding star in the heavens. But we do know some things which are certain, because God has revealed them, through His Son. First, He is Love: like a fire of love. Secondly, we need to be pure if we hope to enter God and be joyful rather than tormented.
People who are both reverent and well-instructed demonstrate their reverence for Jesus Christ, Present in the tabernacle. They bend the knee before Him in a reverent genuflection, on entering or leaving their place in a church, and when passing by the tabernacle.
A good, humble priest, shows no distaste for the gestures of reverence by which devout people honour him, as 'Another Christ' - whose sacred minister he is.
If we visit the sick, we please Christ. In the Gospel story, the King at the Last Judgement praised those who had visited the sick, visited people in prison, or had carried out other works of mercy.
In Christ's sight it is a praiseworthy thing, to visit the sick, or, first, to offer to do so, if we are not sure that a visit will be welcomed. A visit can bring comfort to those who feel abandoned or hopeless.
Christians live in the light, knowing that the prayers offered by the Church - and individual Christians - are worthy of being heard, because they are offered with and through Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Through our union with Christ, and the power of His saving Work, made present at every Mass, we can be confident that our praise is acceptable to the Father.
Some clergymen try to forget that Christ said many 'hard sayings' about sin, Hell, judgement, and faithfulness to the Church; these are things often ignored or contradicted today, by those Catholic Bishops who are more keen to please their colleagues or their flocks than their Saviour.
The Lord asked me to paint a very large picture of the Last Judgement. He asked me to show the glory of Heaven as being like a blazing light at the top of the painting. I could include a stairway to Heaven, representing the only way there: the way made by Christ through His Death and Resurrection.
There is only one Way to Heaven, made by Christ, Who had come down from Heaven; so if we picture life on earth, we should picture Christ on the Cross, on Calvary - with a ladder nearby, which reaches as far as Heaven. Christ made that Way, by His suffering and death and Resurrection. We are heirs and heiresses to life in Heaven if we have passed through the water of Baptism - like a cleansing river - and live for love of Christ until we die. That is 'salvation'.
The Lord asked me to paint a big picture according to his instructions. I could add to it whatever, of what he has shown me, will improve the picture; but I must be certain to include the scene of the Last Judgement, in which Christ separates the saved from the damned.
There are times in our lives when we feel all alone, in pain and turmoil, as if far out to sea, longing for help, whilst people on the shore believe that we are enjoying ourselves. Yet there is one Friend Who always knows the truth, and is willing to help us.
Whoever experiences unusual sights or voices in prayer must pray to God for help in discerning the source of her experiences, and ask someone wise and with authority in these matters. Christ does sometimes encourage His friends with special favours; yet Satan too can speak to the faithful, mimicking Christ, trying to mislead them.
When I made a spiritual Communion, early one morning, Christ showed me that He was very close to me. He said: 'Picture Me as already waiting for you. Together, we can turn to the Father in Heaven; and you can offer your morning prayer.'
The truth which we have learned from Christ and His Apostles is still true, is still taught by the Catholic Church, which Christ founded, and is still meant to be told to everyone in the world who is willing to listen: that God loves us so much He has come down from Heaven, and that Jesus, God-made-man, is the only Saviour.
The Precious Blood which is offered from our altar in sacramental form is the Precious Blood of Christ, poured out for us on Calvary, to save us. We, at Mass today, are present to that same Sacrifice: the same Blood and Body, and the same Victim, Christ.
The Precious Blood which is offered from our altar in sacramental form is the Precious Blood of Christ, poured out for us on Calvary, to save us. We, at Mass today, are present to that same Sacrifice: the same Blood and Body, and the same Victim, Christ.
"I Am Here", in the Sanctuary, Christ said to me. "I AM HERE, IN ALL MY GLORY, LIZZIE. PUT THIS IN YOUR PICTURE" - which meant, in the painting of the Last Judgement. In the area where I show people living a virtuous life, and going to Mass, I should place the figure of Christ, in His Risen Glory, in the sanctuary - just as I have seen him today.
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