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Those who, at the end of a sinful life, refuse to repent, cannot rise up to Heaven, but must 'fall' far below, into Hell. It is like a terrible prison from which there is no escape.
A faithful, humble person who has tried to please Her Saviour can die in peace, saying to herself: "I have tried to live as a good friend of Christ. I am sorry for my sins and failings. I put my trust in Him. There is no need to be afraid". She can die, hoping for Heaven.
A faithful, humble person who has tried to please Her Saviour can die in peace, saying to herself: "I have tried to live as a good friend of Christ. I am sorry for my sins and failings. I put my trust in Him. There is no need to be afraid". She can die, hoping for Heaven.
Wherever there is a Catholic church, with the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle, it is as if there is a stairway that connects that 'house of God' with Heaven. Jesus, Who is God and man, is substantially Present in the Mass, and remains with us in the tabernacle.
A person in turmoil is wise if he turns to the Father in Heaven, and believes in his love. If he prays, he will be led to the right Way; and if he follows it, though it takes him through dark times, he will be moving towards the light of Heaven with a new hope in his heart.
The image of Jacob's Ladder, seen in a vision, is helpful when we want to explain the importance of being in a Catholic church, where Jesus our God is Really, substantially Present in the tabernacle. Through Jesus, we have access to our Father in Heaven. Jesus is like a 'ladder' by which we can ascend, in prayer.
Christ said to me: "I speak all languages". He meant that no-one need feel distant from Christ through not knowing the language or culture of Jesus Christ's earthly life. Whoever does the Will of the Father in Heaven is a brother, sister, mother or father to Christ.
It was from the heart of our loving Father in Heaven that human beings 'emerged', beautifully designed for loving union in marriage, and for fruitful love, in self-giving. They would welcome and care for their children, and all family members would care for one another. That was God's plan for Mankind.
We can picture the life of Heaven as being like a sort of parallel universe, right beside us: just as real as the visible, everyday life we know, or even more real, yet at present invisible. If we are faithful we will one day pierce the veil, to be with Christ and the Saints when we die, to stay with them for all Eternity.
For a life that is truly worthwhile we need faith in God, trust in His goodness and power, and in the merits of Jesus' Passion and death. Even a person stranded on a desert island, with no-one in sight, is connected to God the Father, through Jesus, and to the Saints and Angels of Heaven, and to the Catholic Church throughout the world, as long as he has faith. We must do all we can to make that faith grow.
Christ sometimes gives us glimpses of the path to Heaven. Christ gave me, through His Spirit, a glimpse through the veils which usually hide heaven from our sight. I saw Heaven's glory, and the stairway that leads to the Father's throne, though the throne itself was out of sight.
Some people have refused to love God. Yet without love for God, they cannot enter Heaven. By their own choice, they have turned away from happiness and peace; and when they die they fall towards Hell. They will never again experience joy, having refused to acknowledge the Source of all joy.
God wants everyone to know that we don't need special circumstances in which to show out love for God and our neighbour, or advanced education or special training or equipment. In whatever vocation God has called us to undertake, we can show our love, and - by the graces won for us by Christ - prepare for Eternity in Heaven.
When Christ was in the Upper Room, praying before His Passion, He was praying in the Holy Spirit to His Heavenly Father. The Three are One God, distinct Persons but undivided; and we should remember that salvation is the work of the Holy Trinity. The Father's goodness, the Son's obedience and the Spirit's power have made our salvation possible.
When Christ was in the Upper Room, praying before His Passion, He was praying in the Holy Spirit to His Heavenly Father. The Three are One God, distinct Persons but undivided; and we should remember that salvation is the work of the Holy Trinity. The Father's goodness, the Son's obedience and the Spirit's power have made our salvation possible.
The Holy Souls have only each other for company: such sad company, as they weep, and bewail the times they wasted on earth when they might have shown more love for God or their neighbour, or might have been quicker to repent of their sins. But at least they are safe now, and grateful for safety - with Heaven to look forward to, in the end.
The Holy Souls have only each other for company: such sad company, as they weep, and bewail the times they wasted on earth when they might have shown more love for God or their neighbour, or might have been quicker to repent of their sins. But at least they are safe now, and grateful for safety - with Heaven to look forward to, in the end.
Men in storybooks have undertaken long journeys to prove their love for a princess. Christ has undertaken the longest journey of all, to prove His love for Mankind. He descended from the heights of glory in Heaven, not just to Earth, but to the bottom of the dungeon in which He huddled, bleeding and deserted, during His Passion.
Christ was paraded by His captors before jeering crowds; yet He accepted without hatred or impatience the humiliating treatment he received because of His words. He let nothing stop Him from His mission to show out His Divine nature and to rescue us from our sins. We cannot repay Him for all He suffered to bring truth and salvation to the world; but we give joy to Him when, in gratitude, we show love towards Him and our neighbour.
Christ was paraded by His captors before jeering crowds; yet He accepted without hatred or impatience the humiliating treatment he received because of His words. He let nothing stop Him from His mission to show out His Divine nature and to rescue us from our sins. We cannot repay Him for all He suffered to bring truth and salvation to the world; but we give joy to Him when, in gratitude, we show love towards Him and our neighbour.
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