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A Catholic who refuses to believe some of the truths of the Faith puts up a barrier in his soul, and prevents himself from gaining the sort of clearer understanding of Truth, and of inter-locking truths, that he might have gained from God in prayer.
Those who destroy infants in their mothers' wombs, or who discard tiny embryos, are not only acting against those living human beings, but offending God. They act against Him, the giver of life, when they discard miniature living persons as so much rubbish, even if they do not realise how great is the wrong they do.
Those who destroy infants in their mothers' wombs, or who discard tiny embryos, are not only acting against those living human beings, but offending God. They act against Him, the giver of life, when they discard miniature living persons as so much rubbish, even if they do not realise how great is the wrong they do.
Care must be taken when Catholic Bishops meet with Anglican clergy, so that Catholics are not led to believe that there are parallel sets of 'Bishops', with sacramental orders of equal validity. Yet it is useful for full-time Christian leaders to talk about common issues of importance.
When we present our offerings to Our Blessed Lady, for her to perfect them before we approach the Lord, we are like a child who checks a gift with her mother, before she approaches a beloved father with a birthday present.
A happy obedient child on holiday has the freedom to do one good thing or another on the beach. She would not think of playing in a dirty ditch, or shouting at her parents. If we are happy and obedient we enjoy our freedom as God's children to choose to do one good task or another, and it does not occur to us to do deliberate evil.
The generous response of the Blessed Virgin to God's invitation to become the Mother of God brought her much suffering - but also tremendous joy and glory. And so it is with us, when we respond to God's call, and allow Him to lead us through trials to bliss and intimacy.
All the Saints were smiling, sharing their joy with one another, because the Church on earth was praising God the Father, through Christ, in the Spirit, as the congregation said the great 'Amen' at Mass.
We 'worship' ourselves by fulfilling only our own plans and ambitions, with little thought for God's wishes. If we idolise ourselves we shall have little possibility of being with God in Eternity.
We 'worship' ourselves by fulfilling only our own plans and ambitions, with little thought for God's wishes. If we idolise ourselves we shall have little possibility of being with God in Eternity.
We 'worship' ourselves by fulfilling only our own plans and ambitions, with little thought for God's wishes. If we idolise ourselves we shall have little possibility of being with God in Eternity.
We 'worship' ourselves by fulfilling only our own plans and ambitions, with little thought for God's wishes. If we idolise ourselves we shall have little possibility of being with God in Eternity.
We need to examine our lives, to see if Christ is really 'enthroned' in our hearts and homes, or whether the 'god' we serve is our own desires and ambitions.
We cannot do better than imitate Christ, when we are puzzled by our own behaviour or by the foolish or evil behaviour of other people. Christ knew that His Father can bring good out of evil, and we should believe the same, if we must endure unavoidable suffering or disappointment.
When we request prayers of the Saints, we can be sure that their intercessions are fruitful. The Lord hears them, and pours His graces upon the people we've prayed for: people in great need of help. It's as though a spotlight shines from Heaven on their behaviour, to help them to change it - though some decide to ignore Heaven's help.
It is true that Christ wants us to bring encouragement in what is good, to other people; yet there are times when we need to speak 'hard truths', just as Christ did, in order to help people to change.
Christ asked me a rhetorical question, saying 'Where are the others?' He meant: If Catholics had been well-taught about the Holy Sacrifice, and about Christ's Real Presence, many more would be present even at a week-day Mass.
Though we know that the Saints do not sit upon the clouds, as shown in ancient pictures, the truth shown out through those pictures remains the same: that the Saints are with God in Heaven, and that they look upon us with love, and help us by their prayers.
No Catholic should look down on our ancient Christian devotions, or those of other Christian cultures, where the imagery of faith is clothed in an unusual or unfamiliar appearance; for example, Our Lady of Sorrows.
Though we know that the Saints do not sit upon the clouds, as shown in ancient pictures, the truth shown out through those pictures remains the same: that the Saints are with God in Heaven, and that they look upon us with love, and help us by their prayers.