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As gigantic flames leap up from the surface of the sun, so the ardent soul's fervent prayers leap up - as great 'flames' of glory - towards Heaven, whenever we offers sincere words of praise to God. This gives joy to the soul, and joy to Heaven.

Everything in a priest's life should pale into insignificance when set beside the supreme task of saving souls and leading them towards an everlasting Easter. No personal or private ambition or scheme must intrude.

Imagine how embarrassed a bride would be, whose dress had been stained by a spilled drink, and who then thought about her walk towards the altar. Similarly, everyone who approaches the altar to receive Holy Communion needs to think about their present state. Is there a large 'stain' on their soul, from serious sin, which makes them unfit to approach to receive Christ their Saviour?

Just as a mother distracts a child with something 'good' before removing a dangerous object, so God gives good gifts to the Church through Radiant Light, and other new ecclesial movements, as a prelude to 'removing' poor catechesis, cowardly preaching, and other spiritual dangers very widespread today.

If we guide a person towards danger, we are responsible for their injuries, whether on a beach, or through publishing bad books, or in any area of life.

The Saints and Angels are honoured when we show reverence towards them. All together, we offer praise and reverence with one voice to God on high.

Our progress towards Heaven can be like a sales graph. We have done well if we have moved steadily upwards, despite occasional stumbles on the path, and have never turned back since first giving our life and heart to Christ.

I saw the globe of the earth, with a great mountain on it. At its summit was a bright Heavenly City, which represented the life of grace. Those not yet reconciled to God lived in darkness. The road to Hell lay at my side: a broad road leading downwards.

From the life of grace, a rope-ladder led upwards to where Christ and the Saints waited in Heaven to greet those who persevered even amidst howling winds, and who bravely held on, until the moment of death.

We fail in our duty if we never warn others of the consequences of serious sin and irreverence. It's as if we were to walk past people who are trapped in a swamp because they did not take the right path. They are in danger, even if they imagine all is well.

People can be powerfully helped and drawn towards Heaven by the good example and the prayers of those who have already gone to Heaven.

The idols or 'golden calves' which many people worship today, are their own selfish opinions, often contrary to the Church's teachings, their lack of reverence towards God, their neglect of penance and prayer, and the neglect of the ordinary duties of their state of life.

God is so powerful and Holy, it is as if He would crush us with His glory, were He to allow His fiery love to overwhelm us when we are unprepared. It would be as though the Cathedral wall burst inward, as His love poured upon us like a torrent of living fire.

As we travel towards Heaven, Christ is like a signal-man whom we rely on to send our messages to those waiting to meet us at our destination. Through Christ, we can be certain that our prayers reach God the Father, and the Saints.

Those in the Church who are proud or ambitious are like fish which dart about excitedly and travel far but are in danger from larger fish. Humble people who are faithful to their duties without noise or ostentation resemble those lowly creatures, outwardly dull, who live more safely on the ocean floor and also fulfil their purpose.

There is only one way to Heaven - Christ Himself. By Baptism, each person enters the 'bridge', the safe way to Heaven. Some people who have not yet found the bridge, but who are making their way towards it, can be helped by God to reach Heaven, but there is no bridge but Christ.

There are some souls who drift towards disaster. Though outwardly pious they abandon God through their self-will, disobedience and neglect of people in their care.

It is Christ Who has built the vehicle by which we can be carried away from the 'war-zone' of earthly life, to safety. He is the designer, and the pilot who will take us on a free flight, if we will trust in Him.

Many people neglect their duties towards God and their neighbour. They fight and argue until death - when there is no spirit of charity in them to bring them up to Heaven.

Some souls are horrified, at death, to realise how many times they have ignored the Lord's approaches, kindness, opportunities and warnings.