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Christ saw, from the Cross, a crowd of onlookers: the puzzled, the curious, the hostile and the sympathetic. So it is as we today suffer in union with Christ. We cannot control the attitude of others. What counts is to be obedient to the Will of God.

Christ saw, from the Cross, a crowd of onlookers: the puzzled, the curious, the hostile and the sympathetic. So it is as we today suffer in union with Christ. We cannot control the attitude of others. What counts is to be obedient to the Will of God.

Because of their Baptism, souls have been changed; and those who enter Heaven are 'shielded' from the burning fire of love which is God's nature. Instead of suffering through contact with His holiness, they shine, in joy: as if each is a little flame of love, visible even amidst the surrounding Divine Glory.

As we struggle with serious problems, determined to remain faithful to Christ, He is very close, holding in His arms each beloved friend, as a life-guard holds up an exhausted swimmer.

We need to trust in Christ in all difficulties, and value His Will and His opinion above all. We allow His light to shine powerfully from our lives when we have removed all 'obstacles'.

Our Lady shared Christ's anguish as did no-one else on earth. Their hearts beat as one, during His Passion. He experienced her sympathy and consoling thoughts in an extraordinary spiritual communion.

Everyone who is determined to aim for perfection, and to love Christ as He deserves to be loved, will at some stage need to 'hold on' with bleeding hands, weary with the effort, and shaken by the assaults of the Evil one.

If we picture the earth, and the 'ladder' to Heaven, as if from the heights of Heaven, we can see that earthly life was very short, and our sufferings very brief, in the Light of Eternity.

Christ asks His friends to entrust themselves to His care and to His plans - just as if each of us were to step into a car, at Christ's invitation, to let Him drive us wherever He pleases. Christ asks us to accept His Will for us, whatever it may bring.

Those who turn to the Lord in their sufferings receive graces and blessings, and even new hope, unlike those who neither ask for His help nor thank Him for what is good - some of whom fall into despair.

When someone is patient is suffering, forgives enemies, looks with compassion on those who act unjustly, and comforts people in need, then other people see - as if through an open door - a glimpse of another Kingdom, a way of life which is Christ's Kingdom and Christ's Way.

Christ sees our pain and exhaustion, and comes to us in Holy Communion to offer consolation and reassurance, like a mother stroking a child's hair.

It is right and necessary that we 'children of God' encourage others too to live in union with God through Baptism, and to persevere in love to the end. It is God's wish that when we are purified we enter Heaven as 'fire entering fire'. In God, there will be no more suffering or pain. Christ came down to earth, sharing our life, to offer us a share in His life.

Christ stands by us in Holy Communion, wrapping us in His cloak, as a man cloaks a friend in a storm, to hold His friend close and to give him protection, warmth and consolation.

God is so great, and the earth so small, that nothing can happen that He has not allowed - even the worst things that people suffer. To have trust in God is a magnificent way of showing love for God, believing that He is good, and that good can come out of evil; trust of the sort shown by Jesus our Lord in His earthly life-time.

God is so great, and the earth so small, that nothing can happen that He has not allowed - even the worst things that people suffer. To have trust in God is a magnificent way of showing love for God, believing that He is good, and that good can come out of evil; trust of the sort shown by Jesus our Lord in His earthly life-time.

Christ revealed Himself at the Consecration. He stood before the altar, in glory, His arms outstretched in greeting, as He assured me that these particular difficulties will soon be overcome.

Christ is swift to comfort us in our difficulties. In Holy Communion, He rushes to wrap us in His love, with tenderness and deep concern, just as a rescuer rushes towards an abandoned child, to cover her in a warm blanket and hold her close to himself.

Those Christians who struggle to be Christ-like in difficult circumstances do well to 'look' at Christ's earthly life. The founder of Christianity lived in His own country as a man of peace; and he spent much of his time healing as well as preaching. His followers should be people of peace.

Sometimes, when we are tired, Christ calls us to rest, and 'helps us' to find that rest in our lives.