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Life lived in union with God through Baptism is like a journey in a seat on a monorail; the train arrives at an airport, which represents a happy death; for there is a flight waiting, which will end in Heaven. Those who cannot be bothered to take the train are doomed. Those who wanted to, but could not, will be 'parachuted' into the airport by a merciful God.

It is as though, to reach Heaven, we must deliberately aim for Heaven, swimming against the powerful current that might draw us into a 'whirlpool' of evil that leads to Hell. Baptism is like a set of water wings that hold us up and give us confidence about life in Christ, and the power to become holy and to persevere.

As we 'aim' for Heaven, we are like swimmers trying to avoid the currents that can sweep us away from our destination. Baptism is like a pair of waterwings that makes possible our safe arrival.

Each friend of Christ must make a journey before he can reach Heaven. By Baptism we cross a chasm, and are freed from sin. Then there are deserts and mountain ranges, and other features, before we reach the glorious 'City' on the horizon.

Christ told me that by our Baptism, when we are washed clean of all sin, it's as if we are rescued from the dung-heap and raised up, 'to sit in the company of princes', in the Communion of Saints.

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.

Through Baptism Christ pours his graces upon us

It is the Lord Who has inspired the Church to celebrate special anniversaries in her own life and in the lives of the Saints. He invites us to celebrate not just those feast-days, but also our own: for example, the anniversary of a baptism, a conversion, or reception.

It was as a 'cloud' over the earth had been rent apart, when Jesus toured Galilee, speaking the truth about the purpose of life, the glory of the Father, the need for repentance, and for Baptism. He showed out God's nature and God's Will. He revealed the extent of Divine Love by accepting death on a Cross, rather than give up His Mission. He proved His Divinity by His miracles, above all by His Resurrection.

Because of my Baptism, I am now a child of God, by the grace of Christ, whose Holy Spirit now lives within my soul. When I pray, it is as if the huge gates which hide Heaven are opened wide, when I utter the name of Jesus. The Father cannot refuse to hear the prayers offered in the name of His Son.

The power given to us in Baptism can draw us up to holiness and Heaven; but we can be hampered from 'flight' by these attachments: timidity in sharing our Faith, worrying about what people think our about particular vocation, concern for physical comfort, or neglect of everyday duties. The last 'string' to be cut is death.

There is only one Way to Heaven, made by Christ, Who had come down from Heaven; so if we picture life on earth, we should picture Christ on the Cross, on Calvary - with a ladder nearby, which reaches as far as Heaven. Christ made that Way, by His suffering and death and Resurrection. We are heirs and heiresses to life in Heaven if we have passed through the water of Baptism - like a cleansing river - and live for love of Christ until we die. That is 'salvation'.

Christ Who was born of Mary long ago, is 'born', we can say, in other ways: 'born' in each person's soul at Baptism, and 'born' on the altar at every Mass.

Many people allow Christ to rescue them from captivity in their sins. Some people - as if turning away from a rescuer beside their doomed ship - want to persist in their sinful activities. They will all drown, unlike those who bravely plunge into the water, to reach Christ. "THOSE WHO REFUSE BAPTISM ARE LOST", if they understand what baptism truly means.

Christ sees all people trapped in original sin, except those who have repented and put their trust in Him. Christ said that each person who believes and is baptised can be saved, but the one who refuses to believe, is lost. This refusal includes the culpable refusal to be baptised, when baptism is the way we put our trust in Christ's saving power and receive His Spirit.

It is possible in the world to follow the inspiration of God; yet those who are transformed by Baptism are full of Divine Life of the Blessed Trinity. Only God can see who loves and serves Him and is on the Way to Heaven; but, outside the Church, it is difficult to live as a Saint among sinners if a person is ignorant of what God's Will really is, and does not have the ordinary channels of grace given unfailingly through the Church. All the more reason why we should spread the good news about Christ: the Way, the truth and the life, Who promises Heaven to forgiven sinners.

All who are sent as missionaries, to share the Faith with other people, should listen to the Church, that is, to the Holy Father and the other Bishops who hand on the truth - that Christ is the only Saviour, and that Baptism is the gateway to Divine Life. No other Gospel should be preached.

The Lord said that in my picture of the Last Judgement, I should place the innocent babies that die by miscarriage, abortion or disease, before Baptism, in little cots, in a quiet room in the wall of the castle which surrounds the area shown as Heaven. The babies are asleep in God's care, their eyes shielded by a curtain nevertheless, from the dazzling glory of Heaven.

The Lord showed me the results of the Plenary Indulgence which I had gained, by His grace, through Mass and Holy Communion, special prayers, and a sincere Confession. All my sins had been forgiven, with no punishment due. It was as though I was clothed in an unspotted white Baptismal robe, and was like a carefree child in God's presence, like the people in white in the Last Judgement painting.

A person with a tender heart must weep, when considering the sufferings of Jesus; yet a true follower knows that the Cross is the centre-piece of His message. He showed us that even in the extremes of suffering He still trusted in the Father's love and goodness, and believed that good can come out of evil. The same can be true for us, if we believe in Jesus, and do as He asks, by repenting and being Baptised. Through Him, we can overcome sin, and even have Eternal Life.