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Christ invited me to rest upon His shoulder. He could see how ill I was, and exhausted, as I received Him in Holy Communion.

A person who is trapped in serious sin is like someone trapped on a small ledge, deep down in the Abyss. Only by a short step will she arrive in Hell, one day, unless she repents first. The prayers others offer for her are like a life-line sent down for her to grasp.

A person trapped in sin can benefit from the prayers of other people on her behalf. Through them, God can shine a light on that sinner's life and actions, so she can see things clearly, and decide to change. God is merciful - but some people refuse to act in response to His love.

Christ the Son of Mary is God's own Son, Son before all ages, then born in time, made flesh for our sakes.

In descending to earth as man, the Son of God came to share His Divine power, life, wisdom and joy. He showers with extraordinary gifts all who follow His instructions and, for love of Him, follow His Way.

Christ accepted death, in order to conquer death. He rose from the grave by His Divine power; He shared that same power with His devoted followers - and still does so today. Christ has made a Way back to Heaven, in which we can follow.

We can say that Jesus the God-man came to earth to found the Church. In and through the Church we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit; we receive the Divine life and power Christ brought to earth at His Incarnation, and the Divine Food (the Holy Eucharist).

Through the Church we have everything we need to live as children of God in a sinful world. We even have praise to offer to God our Father which is worthy of Him: praise which is offered by Jesus Christ, Sacramentally Present in our midst, at Mass.

Just as some people can be trapped at the bottom of a deep cavern in the jungle, so we become alienated from God through sin. But if we turn upwards towards the light offered by Christ, he can lift us into freedom.

If we speak about the teachings of the Church, about faith and morality, we may meet with anger or indifference. It is not comfortable speaking out with a prophetic voice.

We are called to be witnesses; to say to other people: Don't sin. Don't enter the 'depths' of sin, which is like a dark cavern below ground - difficult to escape from.

The Father sees everything that happens to us, as we live and work in the 'darkness' of earthly life, as if in a deep cavern, far below Heaven's glory. Yet when we overcome our sins and persevere in difficulties, and share our faith in God, we give joy to God's heart.

Anyone who guides people on a difficult journey must point out the dangers and offer sensible rules of behaviour. A captain must advise against risky behaviour on a ship. Christ has warned us about the risks of sinning, of ignoring Him to lead selfish lives.

Some deficient catechesis puts great emphasis on God's work for human beings in past ages, and God's glorious plans for the faithful in Heaven, but with little teaching about how we can meet and touch God here, in the present moment.

The Catholic Church teaches the glorious truth that, in the past, God reached out to human beings in various ways; in the future, He will reward all who have remained faithful; and in the present moment He remains with His Church, guides us through the Pope and other Catholic Bishops, and is Present with us through Jesus's sacramental Presence.

Whether in church, when we cannot receive Holy Communion, or at home or elsewhere, when we long for closer union with Christ, we please Christ and help ourselves - by His grace - whenever we make a Spiritual Communion. By an act of faith in Christ, with an act of contrition and a request for a spiritual communion, we can be sure that Christ is very close to us, even if unfelt, unseen.

God wants everyone to come to knowledge of the truth: about the meaning of life, and about His love for us, revealed in His Son Jesus Christ. But people who avoid the truth or refuse to change are trapped in a darkness of their own making, unlike believers who turn to Heaven with confidence.

Difficulties and apparent disasters can providentially give people the time to think about the meaning of life. After such times, some people repent, and change their lives; others break free from a 'straight-jacket' of atheism, to follow Christ.

The Lord showed me a series of posters which represented the many subjects studied in Catholic schools. If the children don't learn spiritual truths, however, they will be lost. They need to know about God's love for them, and their unique worth; and also about the importance of prayer, the sacraments, holy living, the Mass, and perseverance in grace until death.

Christ our God is Sacramentally Present in all His glory in the tabernacle. We do not usually see His glory; but everyone who believes must surely genuflect before the Lord, and show reverence and devotion, not treating the 'house of God' like a market-place.