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The Last Judgment, Part H, The agony of life without God in Hell
The Last Judgment, Part I, The agony of those who realise they have chosen to turn away from God's mercy forever
Christ showed me the place in Heaven amongst the Saints that He has reserved for one of the Shepherds of His flock on earth; yet there is more brave work to be done before that place is filled.
Then the Lord took my soul as if to the heights of Heaven, to show me that, from such a perspective, Earth is very small, and earthly life very brief; and so we who live on earth act wisely if we do good, out of love for God, while we still have time.
The Saints in Heaven are there because they did God's Will in earthly life, or did it belatedly, having repented; so Christ treasures our every act of obedience to His wishes.
The holiness of Heaven is so different from the sinfulness of earthly ways and attitudes that man cannot raise himself to those heights by His own power. He needs the grace freely offered through Jesus.
For the sinless Christ to come into a sinful world, was like leaping into a cesspit; yet it was for love of us all that Christ endured the presence of evil, and the stench of sin, and the grievous sight of hard human hearts - so that He could bring Divine Love to earth.
For the sinless Christ to come into a sinful world, was like leaping into a cesspit; yet it was for love of us all that Christ endured the presence of evil, and the stench of sin, and the grievous sight of hard human hearts - so that He could bring Divine Love to earth.
There is a great 'gap' between the holiness of Heaven and the sinfulness of many lives on earth. Whose praise reaches Heaven, and is worthy of the Father? Only the praise of Christ His Son, and of all who pray in His name.
Where irreverence and dissent go unchecked, and a false gospel is preached, there are few vocations to Priesthood or to religious life. How can people who disbelieve large parts of the Faith hand it on with conviction?
Far 'below' Heaven and earth is a state of near-darkness where rebellious and unrepentant souls find themselves - through their own choices - quite without joy, hope or beauty.
In earthly life, there exist prisons where life is unbearable, as prisoners fight one another, and are tormented by guards who leave them hungry, thirsty, and knee deep in excrement. People in Hell suffer even worse torments, in their terrible spiritual state; and one of the worst is knowing that there will never be any prospect of release.
Every Bishop will one day give an account to Christ, of what he has done to save the souls of those in his care when on earth, looking after Christ's flock. A wise Bishop reflects, today, on what he will one day say in Christ's presence.
Every Bishop will one day give an account to Christ, of what he has done to save the souls of those in his care when on earth, looking after Christ's flock. A wise Bishop reflects, today, on what he will one day say in Christ's presence.
When the tenets of various religions are listed without comment, in Catholic schools; and when the uniqueness of Christian beliefs are not proclaimed; the children are being educated in 'indifferentism' (as if the differences are not important; as if all religions provide equally valid ways to reach God and Heaven), and this can occur too when Catholics participate in the worship of other religions.
In the early Church in Rome, faithful Christians did not offer incense to the Emperor, who was widely regarded as a God. They refused to do so. They honoured Christ as God - as we do today. And we Christians today should avoid participating in the worship of non-Christian religions.
In the early Church in Rome, faithful Christians did not offer incense to the Emperor, who was widely regarded as a God. They refused to do so. They honoured Christ as God - as we do today. And we Christians today should avoid participating in the worship of non-Christian religions.
We need to explain the uniqueness of the Christian Faith, and to avoid 'indifferentism'. We teach that God came down to earth in the Person of Jesus, out of love for us, to save us. He asks us to be baptised, to lead holy lives in His power, sharing His Spirit, and to prepare for Heaven. This is His message for the whole world.
By showing concern about people who need food and drink, we demonstrate the love in our hearts - as Jesus did when He healed a little girl, the asked for her to be fed, and as we do when we work for our own family day after day, for many years.
We need not live in dull austerity. Just as Christ changed water into 'the best wine', not the most ordinary, so I have done right to ensure 'the best' for our home; this means not extravagance, but whatever is pleasant, helpful, beautiful, and comfortable, for visitors and family.
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