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A Catholic's soul is almost lifeless - like a vast melting ice sheet unable to provide for life - if there is no evident love for Jesus, especially for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Catholic programmes are deeply flawed which omit, diminish or scorn devotion to Christ in the Blessed Sacrament.
From the fatherly love of God - like a pinpoint far in the distance, before time - has come everything good: Creation, life, God's plan of salvation, the Son Who died for us, the Spirit Who guides us, the Church which sanctifies us.
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.
What must it be like for Christ, Who gives the gift of life, and often sees it rejected by those who destroy a life in the womb, when it has only just begun, or who bear children but see them as burdens, and fail to teach, guide or show love?
What must it be like for Christ, Who gives the gift of life, and often sees it rejected by those who destroy a life in the womb, when it has only just begun, or who bear children but see them as burdens, and fail to teach, guide or show love?
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.
In becoming man, the Son of God chose to share our life on earth, and our sufferings - though He is without sin. And He sacrificed His life so that we could be freed from sin and from the fear of death.
Those who enjoy visions but are content to do without them are like housewives who love to see a visitor for coffee and a chat but who are content to get on with their ordinary chores - unlike someone consumed with a desire for entertainment (or visions), who neglects her ordinary duties.
We might sometimes question the wisdom of surrendering to God's Will, when we imagine our own plans are good. Yet His plan for us is always best: so great, eventually, that it's as if, in following His Will, we have accepted a life with a King in His Coronation Coach, even when we had not expected such goodness.
The graces that God pours out upon souls at the mention of Jesus' name in our prayers are like a 'rain' of emeralds, rubies and other precious stones in earthly life. We all ought to pray in His name, so that spiritual treasures will enrich those we love, and people in need.
Christ does not expect us to become perfect just because we spend time with Him at Exposition. He delights is our prayers of adoration; yet He understands when our minds wander, and when we reflect on ordinary aspects of life - as guests do at a wedding reception who don't spend every second talking about the bridge and groom.
Through Him, With Him: Christ, Present amongst us, tears apart the curtain that separates us from Heaven. By His paschal work - re-presented in the Mass - He penetrates the veil, and brings us and our united prayer into the presence of God the Father, and the Saints who live in Him.
Christmas is 'about' the entry into our world of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, our Saviour, in all His power, Divinity and holiness - though He hid His glory for most of His life on earth, and in fact began His life on earth as an infant.
Jesus Christ came to share our life on earth, in His Nativity, so that we could go to Heaven.
Christ looks on in horror, because many people today have refused to welcome into their lives the little people - the infants - to whom He had given life. In choosing to destroy those infants in the womb they have wiped out the adults they would have become: mothers, fathers, priests, nuns, pianists, politicians, drivers, and others - all created by God; but each has been denied by their parents an earthly life to treasure and enjoy.
Christ looks on in horror, because many people today have refused to welcome into their lives the little people - the infants - to whom He had given life. In choosing to destroy those infants in the womb they have wiped out the adults they would have become: mothers, fathers, priests, nuns, pianists, politicians, drivers, and others - all created by God; but each has been denied by their parents an earthly life to treasure and enjoy.
Even in the coldest, bleakest surroundings, no-one on earth, not even the poorest peasant in the most dingy hovel (Christ explained) has the right to end his own life or to ask someone to do it for him. If we accepted the power of God into our lives, the love given through Christ, we would look after one another.
Life is a gift from God: but so too is the power of God in human hearts: the power and love given when we receive the Holy Spirit, Who urges us to care for the poor, sick, weak and needy.
Whenever we intercede for someone, in Jesus' name, it's as though a ray of light and grace from Heaven pierces the dark 'cloud' of sin and self-love over our world, to touch the life of someone in need of help.
Christ pointed out the truth that, by my decision to enter into full Communion as a Catholic, I risked pain and persecution, for love of Him - just like many of His followers in His earthly life-time, and every era.
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