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Christ is truly God and man. He possesses all the attributes of Divinity, just as a single flame, being fire, has all the properties of an unconfined, blazing fire. All other supposed divinities adored by man are products of the imagination.

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.

Just as the ancient people of God made an idol of a golden calf, so many people today make an idol of their private opinions, neglecting God's law, or they lack reverence in church, neglect prayer and penance, and disregard the duties of their state of life - loving their own will instead of the Will of God.

Whenever we pray with real faith, trusting that God hears us, it's as if we open a trapdoor overhead, which we had kept locked from our 'side'. By praying with faith, we consent to receive God's graces, and even to be raised up high, emerging from despondency and gloom.

If Jesus were walking through a town centre, people would rush to see Him. Yet He is now truly Present a few metres away, in the tabernacle in our church; and though He longs to welcome us, many people don't know about Him - or simply ignore Him.

If Jesus were walking through a town centre, people would rush to see Him. Yet He is now truly Present a few metres away, in the tabernacle in our church; and though He longs to welcome us, many people don't know about Him - or simply ignore Him.

Many people would rush to see Jesus, if He were to appear in the local high street. And no-one should condemn as 'over-pious' those Catholics who love to meet Jesus at the tabernacle, in extra visits to church.

In contemplation, we sometimes need to make an occasional 'movement' of the heart, to stay on course, just as a yachtsman carried by a good wind needs to lean now and then on the tiller.

Christ, in His earthly life, offered the Sacrifice to end all sacrifices, though He deserved nothing but love, honour and glory. He allowed sinners to humiliate and kill Him, in order to show the depth of Divine Love. We, at Mass, can offer that once-for-all Sacrifice in reparation for our own sins.

We need a crucifix as a 'template' for our own lives - not to make us love pain or suffering, but so we'll imitate Christ in His patient acceptance of His Father's Will

The Lord invites us to 'throw' ourselves into the ocean of His love, in prayer, just as a child hurls himself onto a soft mattress, trusting that he will be safe.

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.

True prayer should lead us to love God and to serve our neighbour in our daily duties and in ordinary acts of kindness

The all-holy and majestic God Whom we praise at Mass, through Christ His Son, is present here. This huge Cathedral, and everyone in it, rests in God's care. Were we to see Him, we would see a blazing fire reaching out powerfully through the entire building: a burning fire of pure love.

The church or Cathedral in which Catholics pray rests in God's care. Were we to see God, we would see a blazing fire reaching out powerfully throughout the entire building, embracing us who praise the Father, through Jesus, in the Spirit.

The church or Cathedral in which Catholics pray rests in God's care. Were we to see God, we would see a blazing fire reaching out powerfully throughout the entire building, embracing us who praise the Father, through Jesus, in the Spirit.

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.

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.

Each person who genuinely experiences God in contemplation and is able to describe such things is like someone who has glimpsed bright scenes through Gaps in a 'cloud' which is Divine Life and Eternity. We cannot 'see' the whole picture.