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Whenever we 'show' the Lord in Prayer all our problems, hopes, sins, and resolutions, we make acts of trust in Him. By such acts, we are building a stairway which brings us even closer to Him - by His grace.

Our determination to move towards Christ, even in difficulties, is like the determination of a child who struggles towards her mother, even when she can only just walk. Persistence is part of the journey.

When we sincerely repent of our sins and weaknesses it is as if a trapdoor opens above our head, as Heaven's light shines in, to bring us peace, light and closer union with God.

The Father in heaven greets with delight a humble confession of weakness by one of His trusting 'children'

The Father in heaven greets with delight a humble confession of weakness by one of His trusting 'children'

A person who doesn't give up all attachment to sins and weaknesses before death must - if he is saved - repent in the darkness of Purgatory. Nothing impure can enter heaven.

Christ awaits us at the tabernacle, as if at the 'Doorway' to Heaven. If we make efforts to abandon our bad habits and weaknesses, by His grace, it's as if we push aside some of the clutter which might have hindered us on our journey to Glory.

We should never doubt the love of Christ. He forgives all our sins and failings if we turn to him with trust and contrition.

Christ can see into our hearts. He 'sees' our sins and weaknesses, the forces that mould us, our deepest yearnings, and our daily decisions. If we believe in Heaven and Hell, we will pray, and make wise choices.

Only in Heaven, Christ explained, is everybody perfect, so though we should all aim for perfection, none should grow despondent about our tiny faults, nor imagine that Christ is displeased with our efforts. (It is always possible, with God's help, to avoid mortal sin, if we wish).

After Confession: The Most Holy Trinity showed me, by an image, that each of the Three Divine Persons - one God - forgave me for every sin and failing and invited me to be joyful.

It is important to persevere in prayer even during sickness. It draws graces upon the sick person - even if the prayers must be wordless or abbreviated. It helps others directly - and indirectly, when the sick person sets a good example to healthy people tempted not to pray.

Christ brushed my shoulder, as He assured me that our minor failings are like little bits of dust on a smart suit, as we approach Him for Holy Communion. The important thing is to be properly clothed. The suit represents the 'state of grace' we should be in.

If we are careless or uncharitable in some of our 'patterns' of thinking, speaking or acting, or just copy ways of behaviour picked up from our childhood models - we may have no malice, but still act in foolish ways, not realising how little we resemble Christ.

Christ brought to my mind the image of St. Peter, in my local church, saying: St. Peter did not let the memory of his own failures stop him from preaching repentance to other people. Christ asked me not to let the memory of my own sins hold me back from prayer and brave words by which I can help others to repent of their bad behaviour and find peace in and with Christ.

A person who rarely prays, or who prays but does not open her heart completely to Christ cannot develop an intimate friendship with Him. It is as if she declares that He is a good friend but, not trusting Him, keeps the door of her soul on the chain.

We should trust that God sees our efforts to love Him. If we worry about our little failings, when we are exhausted from having done great work for Him amidst opposition and spiritual assaults, we are like a soldier who has travelled hundreds of miles in dangerous mountains to save the lives of his comrades, and who now lies wounded, but who apologises for not having cleaned his teeth or done up his top shirt button.

It is a serious matter to miss Mass carelessly or deliberately, and so to miss being present at the re-presentation of Christ's Sacrifice of Calvary. We could not be there, at Calvary; but we show how little love we have for Christ, and how little concern about our sin and weaknesses, if we cannot be bothered to attend Mass, as Christ prays there for us to be forgiven our wrong-doing.

We know that sin is like a chain round the ankle that prevents us from serving God. But a little weakness such as fear of public opinion - or our own family - can be like a 'thread' holding us back from valiant work for God, unless with His help we break it.

Christ waits in church, to welcome His friends. When I entered the church and greeted Christ, and was aware of my weaknesses, Christ appeared to me, by the tabernacle. He said: "Believe in my Love" - spreading out His arms as if to embrace me. So I believed, even more firmly, and was deeply consoled.