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What does the 'eternity' of hell or heaven mean? It means 'captured unchangeably', whether in selfishness or a state of grace; either being held eternally without God, by the free choices of an individual soul, or being held forever in friendship with God, to the degree to which the soul enjoyed at the moment of death. As a fly, suddenly imprisoned by a drop of amber, is held 'forever' in the state it was in when the liquid fell upon it, so the soul retains forever its state at the moment of death - even though those held in God's friendship can undergo some purification.

It's as if the Father's hand reaches out across those places where confessions are heard. The Father is truly reaching out to help us though His priests, acting in and through them as they forgive sins in Jesus' name.

It seems to some people that the pathways they personally carve in the rocky walls of their lives can lead to God. Though we can admire the little gems of 'insight' they find embedded in the walls, we have been shown by God that Christ's Way is the only true way to Heaven. He who came from Heaven to earth knows the Way back; and we must help other people to find it.

It seems to some people that the pathways they personally carve in the rocky walls of their lives can lead to God. Though we can admire the little gems of 'insight' they find embedded in the walls, we have been shown by God that Christ's Way is the only true way to Heaven. He who came from Heaven to earth knows the Way back; and we must help other people to find it.

When Christ was hanging on the Cross in torment He was aware of all human tragedies from the beginning to the end of life - including the sufferings of those on 9/11. God does not look on impassively as mankind suffers; on the contrary, the Son of God came down to earth to share our sufferings, even to die. When Christ rose from the dead, He made a way to Heaven for all who would follow Him.

When Christ was hanging on the Cross in torment He was aware of all human tragedies from the beginning to the end of life - including the sufferings of those on 9/11. God does not look on impassively as mankind suffers; on the contrary, the Son of God came down to earth to share our sufferings, even to die. When Christ rose from the dead, He made a way to Heaven for all who would follow Him.

When Christ was hanging on the Cross in torment He was aware of all human tragedies from the beginning to the end of life - including the sufferings of those on 9/11. God does not look on impassively as mankind suffers; on the contrary, the Son of God came down to earth to share our sufferings, even to die. When Christ rose from the death, He made a way to Heaven for all who would follow Him.

In pure worship, the three Divine Persons surround us with their love and power, and we offer our hearts to their will.

The praises of the monks are worthy of God and Heaven, as are mine as I rest in God, in and through Christ, to adore and to offer myself.

Just as a priest receives more honour when a perfect gift is carefully presented to him, not just thrown in front of him; so God our Father receives greater honour when the perfect sacrifice of Christ is offered by the members of the Church with reverence, than with haste or carelessness.

Christ prayed to the Father, in His earthly life: prayer from one Divine Person to another, equal in majesty. The reciprocal love blazing out between them is the Holy Spirit: a torrent of love so fiery and radiant that no sinful creature could have borne the sight. Only in Heaven can we see it, in its fullness.

The All-Holy and Majestic God is present with us in our sanctuary, like a blazing fire that reaches out through the whole building

The All-Holy and Majestic God is present with us in our sanctuary, like a blazing fire that reaches out through the whole building

Our spiritual Communion, in the Communion of Saints, is like the connection in a conference call. We must keep the transmitter in good order, and the lines open by taking care of our souls. If we refuse to forgive anyone, for example, it's as if we deliberately walk away from God and our friends.

God is Truth, and when we speak truth to Him in prayer, it pleases Him, and we draw closer to Him, even as we say, perhaps, "I can't cope", or "Nobody loves me", or "I'm addicted", or "I hate those people", or "I'm afraid", or "I'm ashamed to look at you".

God recommends that we pray truthful prayers, such as: I'm afraid, or I can't cope, or I feel unloved, or I am a slave to this habit, or I need your help.

Whenever we pray 'Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit', with a sincere heart, it's as if a sunspot erupts in our hearts, as glory streams up to God, to honour Him and to bring delight to the whole of Heaven.

As gigantic flames leap up from the surface of the sun, so the ardent soul's fervent prayers leap up - as great 'flames' of glory - towards Heaven, whenever we offers sincere words of praise to God. This gives joy to the soul, and joy to Heaven.

From the ardent soul which offers sincere praise to God, great 'flames' of glory leap up to Heaven.

Everything in a priest's life should pale into insignificance when set beside the supreme task of saving souls and leading them towards an everlasting Easter. No personal or private ambition or scheme must intrude.