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Whenever we ask a particular Saint for special help through prayer, it's as if the Saints make a space for that Heavenly friend to descend from amongst them, to ask us: "What can I do to help you?"
A woman in Purgatory exclaims: 'Oh God, if only I had known'. She wished she had believed more firmly that God is real, and that sin should be abandoned, and that it's important to prepare for Heaven.
Christ can see into our hearts. He 'sees' our sins and weaknesses, the forces that mould us, our deepest yearnings, and our daily decisions. If we believe in Heaven and Hell, we will pray, and make wise choices.
Christ is bodily Present in Heaven - which is very close to us. We are in touch with Heaven, in our prayer.
Heaven is found by those who follow the path to the river of living water which is the Godhead. Those who refuse to walk where the Saints have walked, and follow their own paths, find they arrive, after death, below the dam. It is too late to change their minds.
People are making their way towards death and perhaps Hell; and although different speakers give advice about reaching Heaven, there is only one Way (one ladder), that leads upwards as far as Heaven - which is Christ.
People are making their way towards death and perhaps Hell; and although different speakers give advice about reaching Heaven, there is only one Way (one ladder), that leads upwards as far as Heaven - which is Christ.
People are making their way towards death and perhaps Hell; and although different speakers give advice about reaching Heaven, there is only one Way (one ladder), that leads upwards as far as Heaven - which is Christ.
There is a way to avoid falling into the 'pit' of doom, though many people ignore the means, which is the Way made by Christ. It's as if He has placed a ladder on earth by which we can climb to Heaven and safety, through the sacraments and prayer.
There are many well-meaning people offering to the crowds very different ideas about God. It's as if they stand on stepladders, to give out their advice; yet the only ladder that reaches Heaven was put up by Christ, who came from Heaven.
St. Francis of Assisi was fervent in love for God and for others, until the very end, speaking frankly about Heaven and Hell.
As each of us moves towards either Heaven - through God's grace - or Hell, moving because of our own thoughts, words and actions, we are at the same time helping others to move towards Heaven or Hell, by our influence.
There are very many well-meaning people offering to the crowds very different ideas about God. It's as if they stand on stepladders, to give out their advice; yet the only ladder that reaches Heaven was put up by Christ, who came from Heaven.
Christ told me that His message is simple: It is all 'about' love. Because of His love for each of us, He wants to draw us towards Heaven and save us from Hell. Hence His constant teachings in His own day, and ours, about repentance, change, and the sacraments of the Church.
Christ looks on with joy when we celebrate life or good news by sharing food and drink with friends, at a party, in genuine mutual delight, with a desire to give joy and to comfort tired hearts. Heaven is a little like that.
Those who have remained faithful to God, yet who need purification, enter Purgatory, from which they can 'ascend' to Heaven when they are ready. Yet Hell awaits those who have insisted, until they die, on ignoring God or rebelling against His laws in serious matters; who will find themselves separated from Him, in Hell, unable to escape.
We can picture Heaven as being like a big party, where everyone is related, and, where people live together in mutual delight, love and care, in God's presence; yet careless or lukewarm friends of God are held and purified below, until they are ready to take part. Those who refuse God's friendship utterly, however, descend to Hell, where there is no hope of joy.
The Lord gave me a glimpse of our beautiful village, which He has allowed me to enjoy amidst many years of pain. Then He showed me an even greater beauty on high, 'above' the village. I saw Heaven's glory, and all the Saints who live in God, in joy.
Truly, I have a tremendous dignity (the Lord explained) as a practicing Catholic in a state of grace who can be confident of my every prayer being heard and answered. It's as if my arms reach out to Heaven, as the Father holds out His arms to greet me.
Each of us is on our way towards Heaven or Hell. By our own free decision, we are moving closer to God or away from Him. We need to look at everything in our lives, and ask ourselves: "Does this help me to achieve sanctity, or hinder me?"
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