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Christ pointed out the truth that, by my decision to enter into full Communion as a Catholic, I risked pain and persecution, for love of Him - just like many of His followers in His earthly life-time, and every era.
When we have died, it is too late to turn to God, if we have died in mortal sin. By our own choice, we will have fixed our 'trajectory'. Those who love God will be carried by His Spirit towards Heaven. Others will fall into Hell, going there through their own decisions.
Many Catholics have no idea of what is really happening at Mass. It is tragic that so many children say that they are bored at Mass. Not having been instructed about the Holy Sacrifice of Christ, they are ignorant of the fact that Christ is truly Present amongst us, praising the Father of Light in the presence of the whole Church. We pray with the Saints and the Holy Souls, and with the Holy Angels.
Life in Christ involves both fasting and feasting. We should love what is good, but be prepared to sacrifice this when necessary for an even greater Good, which is God.
Life in Christ involves both fasting and feasting. We should love what is good, but be prepared to sacrifice this when necessary for an even greater Good, which is God.
Christ told me that it was true He had not the pleasure of hot baths, such as ours today; yet He had lakes and rivers for refreshment - and, for much of the time, warm weather. In every time of Earth's history, there have been good things to enjoy.
Christ is pleased when we reach out to strangers, however unattractive they may be - the needy stranger is Christ in disguise.
Every follower of Jesus is on a journey to Heaven, with ravines to cross and mountains to climb; yet Jesus' true friends persevere in faith, hope and love, and set an example for other people who long to reach Heaven.
In Holy Communion, Christ did not weary me with conversation, but invited me to lean on Him, just as He had once shown me before, and to enjoy His Presence in perfect peace and contentment.
Christ invited me to rest upon His shoulder. He could see how ill I was, and exhausted, as I received Him in Holy Communion.
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.
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.
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.
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