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God sees, in looking at each of His priests, a man configured to Christ by the sacrament of Orders: a man whose very being is now changed. Each priest should recognise the immense dignity of the state to which the Lord has raised him, and accept the honour paid to him by those who are grateful for his ministry.

A deep pool in a forest clearing is like the mystery of the Godhead. It is unfathomable, but we can still 'enter' and know God more deeply by study and prayer, by knowledge and love.

Just as a person in a wood cannot see the depths of a deep forest pool, so no-one can 'fathom' God, or ever understand and know Him completely; but it is nevertheless important to learn about God's nature and attributes, through reason and revelation.

I saw the globe of the earth, with a great mountain on it. At its summit was a bright Heavenly City, which represented the life of grace. Those not yet reconciled to God lived in darkness. The road to Hell lay at my side: a broad road leading downwards.

Of all the paths which people tell us lead to God, only one does so. There is no way 'up' to God except through Christ and His life of grace. Other short paths are made by human beings who search for truth. We can admire their sincerity and good desires but not their main conclusions if they take us away from Christ.

Just as a child has to learn table manners and concern for others, by instruction as well as example, so a Christian needs to be taught how to pray and genuflect, and to show reverence to God, in His house of prayer.

Just as a child has to learn table manners and concern for others, by instruction as well as example, so a Christian needs to be taught how to pray and genuflect, and to show reverence to God, in His house of prayer.

It's as if souls are like seed pods - we can respond to the sunlight, which is God's perpetual love for everyone, and produce beautiful plants, or we can choose to remain 'shut-in', and shrivel.

In church, we are on the threshold of Heaven, in the Presence of Christ our God. Although it is sometimes necessary to offer a quiet greeting or enquiry, it is not right to engage in idle chatter, e.g. about football results or holidays. It is the House of God, and we should want to pray there and allow others to pray.

It is when a person becomes really alive in the Spirit, perhaps long after initial conversion, that he or she can 'see' Christ clearly, if Christ Wills - whether by genuine visions or by 'unknowing' knowledge and 'unseeing' sight. Christ is no longer hidden behind the 'veils' of a person's self-concern.

Christ is truly God and man. He possesses all the attributes of Divinity, just as a single flame, being fire, has all the properties of an unconfined, blazing fire. All other supposed divinities adored by man are products of the imagination.

The idols or 'golden calves' which many people worship today, are their own selfish opinions, often contrary to the Church's teachings, their lack of reverence towards God, their neglect of penance and prayer, and the neglect of the ordinary duties of their state of life.

Just as the ancient people of God made an idol of a golden calf, so many people today make an idol of their private opinions, neglecting God's law, or they lack reverence in church, neglect prayer and penance, and disregard the duties of their state of life - loving their own will instead of the Will of God.

Whenever we pray with real faith, trusting that God hears us, it's as if we open a trapdoor overhead, which we had kept locked from our 'side'. By praying with faith, we consent to receive God's graces, and even to be raised up high, emerging from despondency and gloom.

Christ, in His earthly life, offered the Sacrifice to end all sacrifices, though He deserved nothing but love, honour and glory. He allowed sinners to humiliate and kill Him, in order to show the depth of Divine Love. We, at Mass, can offer that once-for-all Sacrifice in reparation for our own sins.

We need a crucifix as a 'template' for our own lives - not to make us love pain or suffering, but so we'll imitate Christ in His patient acceptance of His Father's Will

The Lord invites us to 'throw' ourselves into the ocean of His love, in prayer, just as a child hurls himself onto a soft mattress, trusting that he will be safe.

Christ saw, from the Cross, a crowd of onlookers: the puzzled, the curious, the hostile and the sympathetic. So it is as we today suffer in union with Christ. We cannot control the attitude of others. What counts is to be obedient to the Will of God.

Christ saw, from the Cross, a crowd of onlookers: the puzzled, the curious, the hostile and the sympathetic. So it is as we today suffer in union with Christ. We cannot control the attitude of others. What counts is to be obedient to the Will of God.

True prayer should lead us to love God and to serve our neighbour in our daily duties and in ordinary acts of kindness