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When someone perseveres in intercession for a person in danger, it's as if someone allows herself to be suspended on a rope and lowered into a mineshaft, to rescue someone trapped on a broken ladder with no way up and only danger below. The 'rescuer' has to be supported from above; but she can invite the endangered person to hold on, and to be brought up high, to light and safety.

To commit grievous sin is like climbing down towards Hell, where the suffering of unrepentant sinners is so great that it can be pictured as 'fire', in which the demons wait for new victims to torment.

Many people stroll around, ready to sin, saying 'There is no Hell'; but by our choices we move towards Heaven or Hell.

There are people today who wrongly say "No, there's no Hell" - thus contradicting Christ. They are unaware that the entrance to Hell is very close to them - ready to receive all who carelessly or passionately embrace evil, and who at death are still apart from God.

Those who are saved, at death, but in need of purification, are like people who travel a long way underground to a vast, bright area, with operating theatres and physiotherapy departments, where sick people are treated until they have been made fit enough to ascend the escalator to Life in Heaven.

Those who emerge from death all ready for Heaven, and those who emerge from Purgatory after purification, are like people finally standing on a platform at the station, with bag packed. They are joyful, free of anxiety, and looking forward to going 'home'.

Unjust rulers are those who fail to protect the weak, pass unjust laws, tolerate corruption, refuse to give up luxuries whilst their people starve, and stop legitimate protests.

If we greet Christ warmly in Holy Communion, we want to see our friends enjoy His love; and we can help them by our prayers, and by 'Christ-within-us' reaching out to include others in His embrace.

Those who strive for perfect union with God strive to know His Will, to love it, to desire the same good ends, to love what God loves, and to be one with Him in everything. It's as if what at first appeared to be a row of separate buildings are actually joined together, perfectly aligned, so that there is movement from one part into the other, at the top, with perfect ease.

I was shown how marvellously worthwhile is the prayer of intercession. It is as if we hold up before God, through a great procession before Heaven, all the individuals we keep in mind. Truly, they receive help from God, through our prayers for them and God's mercy.

The Lord asks us to believe, about human life, that it is His free gift. Each unique, miniature human being has received life from God. It is as if a procession of tiny infants is moving from Heaven to earth, to be received in the loving union of man and woman. Alas, many children are not welcomed.

As I pray to the Father, in Jesus' name, in the Spirit, asking for help for someone in need, I can be certain that Jesus too prays for that praiseworthy intention, with His whole attention, and His Spirit's love and power.

Some Governments who should serve God, and protect and help their people, fail to do so - and even live in unbridled luxury whilst ignoring the poverty of their own people.

Governments offend God when they fail to protect and help their people, or when they attack people making legitimate protests, or when they live in unbridled luxury while their people starve, or when they pass corrupt laws, or are unjust in the distribution of goods.

The Lord showed me the Cross at the bottom of a steep slope. All who held onto the Cross were saved from falling into the Abyss beyond, which is the place where sinners go who have not repented. By a living faith in Christ, we can be freed from the fear of death and Hell.

People who live aimlessly without clear goals or commitment to what is good are like petals which fall into a river, are tossed about on the current and eventually swept over a waterfall to be seen no more - unlike those who, in obedience and service before God, have a sure hope of rising up to be with Him forever.

When a friend of Christ receives Him in Holy Communion, yet is too sick and weary to pray, she can be sure that Christ is 'holding' her in His loving care just as He would hold a sick child.

When we pray to God, in Jesus' name, for help for someone in need, we can be sure that God sends down grace from Heaven, like a stream of glory, to enfold that person in need, to enlighten his mind and strengthen his will to do good - if he will respond and turn to God.

Bishops and priests should wake up each day burning with desire to spread the Catholic Faith, actively thinking of new ways to explain and spread it.

Few books today contain wise words about the 'Four Last Things', which are Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell. It is important that people speak about these, and reflect on them. Many will be helped to change the way they live their lives.