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The big question we should ask ourselves is: 'Am I ready for Heaven?' We have a great need for repentance, penance and purification.
Heaven is so vast, that from its heights it can be seen how small is the Earth, and how short is life on Earth. It is important, therefore, that we actively prepare for Heaven and do not neglect God and holiness.
Those who accept God's plans, and God's help, can be made ready before death for their meeting with God. They allow themselves to be changed, and thoroughly reconciled, and made ready for Heaven.
It should be the aim of each Christian to climb the mountain of holiness, and to emerge one day from the darkness of sin to the 'fresh air' of life in Christ, in purity, amidst the flowers of grace - ready to greet Christ when He calls the soul to die, and to go 'Home'
Illness gives us an opportunity to ask ourselves, as we think about the end of life: "Shall I meet God with a peaceful or a guilty heart?"
Some people, even though they have been saved, see clearly when they die how ill-prepared they are for Heaven, as if wearing filthy clothes - because they have neglected penance and prayer. They see all this in Heaven's light- yet they also see how merciful is God, Who invites them into Purgatory.
Some people, even though they have been saved, see clearly when they die how ill-prepared they are for Heaven, as if wearing filthy clothes - because they have neglected penance and prayer. They see all this in Heaven's light- yet they also see how merciful is God, Who invites them into Purgatory.
War can endanger or corrupt the fighters. It can even endanger the souls of the injured innocent by making them bitter or full of hate. What sort of preparation for Heaven is armed struggle and all the evils that cause war to flourish?
By the mercy of God, the souls in Purgatory can bewail their pride, or greed, or lukewarm belief, or whatever has caused them, though believers, to be ill-prepared for death.
Christ came to earth, to be born in poverty, for our sakes; yet we need to feast as well as to fast in His Church. We feast on His birthday, for example, in preparation for the Eternal feasting which takes place in Heaven, in an eternal celebration of His Love.
God receives the greatest honour when the priest's supreme desire at Mass is to give glory to Him through a reverent offering of the Holy Sacrifice. A good priest also wishes to edify the congregation, but he recognises that the Mass is God's act: infinitely powerful and effective no matter how well or badly the participants prepare and take part.
A person who, for love of God, loves and serves her neighbour, walks a hard road towards Heaven, with steep climbs; but as she arrives, it is Christ Himself Who will kneel, wash her feet, then put a white robe over her head, for the feast of Heaven.
A person who, for love of God, loves and serves her neighbour, walks a hard road towards Heaven, with steep climbs; but as she arrives, it is Christ Himself Who will kneel, wash her feet, then put a white robe over her head, for the feast of Heaven.
Someone who wants to prepare for Heaven should simply do the Will of God, for love of God - whether it is by labouring, teaching, serving, or praying; or simply offering up her sufferings in sickness, with Jesus, to help souls.
Christ is Present in the tabernacle, ready to greet those who have chosen to be near Him; but at the end of time everyone will be near Him, willingly or not - waiting to be judged. If people are reminded of this, they might alter their behaviour, while there is time.
The Lord showed me that Heaven is like a circular area full of Divine glory, occupied by the Three Divine Persons and the Angels and Saints. Christ and His holy Mother want to greet new arrivals, which is why each of us needs to ask himself: "Am I ready to enter?"
Each of us can picture himself as standing at the 'edge' of Heaven, near the steps that lead up to Christ and Our Blessed Lady, who are surrounded by the Saints. Each of us can ask: Am I ready to enter? Do I now lead a life of purity, love and peace?
If we want to help ourselves to think about our readiness for Heaven, we can do as Christ asks, and picture ourselves as standing at the foot of the steps which lead to the Father's throne in Heaven - as if we stand with our head through a fake landscape, at the seaside. Then we can ask ourselves, of Heaven: "Am I ready to enter?"
There is a place not far from Heaven, called Purgatory, where people arrive to prepare for Heaven. It is as if they finally take off their dirty rags, and are re-clothed like royalty; then they process to their seats, wearing crowns, to join the Saints above - through the love and mercy of God Who rewards all who die in a state of grace.
God sees, from Heaven, every thought, word and deed of ours. He looks at us with love, even when we sin; yet we need to ask ourselves: "Is this something that should be brought before him? Is it worthy of Heaven?"
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