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All over the world, as if through the clouds, the Spirit of God sees the evil in human communities, where people are horribly killed for trivial offenses, or unjustly tormented by armed mobs in pursuit. All the more need, therefore, He said, for the offering-up of sufferings, in union with Christ, to save souls.
Whenever we speak to others about our faith in Jesus Christ: God-made-man Who came to earth to save us, we are spreading the Gospel just as the Apostles did - and Lydia, and countless Christians through the ages. Even when we seem to see no results, God is bringing good out of our efforts and encounters.
There are many people who seek out counselling or therapy whose problems could be solved by the repentance that leads to Confession, and a state of grace, and the peace and freedom which came from being forgiven. Many people, Christ observes, make excuses for themselves when they became downcast through grievous sin, and a failure to repent.
Some priests mistakenly see themselves as counsellors rather than priests. In their misguided view of pastoral care they forget that they have been called to be 'other Christs' who teach the truth about sin and holiness, who invite people to repent and to receive forgiveness, freedom and peace.
It is the Will of Christ that we treat Sunday as a holy day and a day of rest. It delights Him to see us rest from our labours and to enjoy good things that we don't have time for on normal work-days.
Christ showed me that by asking me to paint a castle wall in the Last Judgement painting, to encircle Heaven, He is showing out the truth that there is only one entrance: only one Way made by Christ. Everyone can enter there who has been clothed in grace, whose sins have been forgiven, and who is indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
Christ is God-made-man, Who endured 'hell on earth', and sacrificed His life, in order to teach people about sin and goodness, and to conquer sin and death. He showed by his coming to earth, that the Father is not a tyrant, glad to send people to Hell, but a loving Father, Who, with His Son, has done everything possible to rescue, warn and convert sinners, to spare them their inevitable disaster.
Christ asks us not to allow ourselves to become distressed, whilst praying at Mass, about inaudible readings or the immodest clothing of ministers of Communion. We should rejoice in His Real Presence in the tabernacle and, later, on the altar; it is normally later that we should speak about or work to change whatever is unworthy of God's house.
Christ's intention, in asking me to paint a Last Judgement, with its scenes of Heaven and Hell, is for many people to see it, and to reflect on what they see. It will be as if the painting is posing a question for each to answer: "Where will you go: to Heaven or Hell?"
Christ showed me that in the depths of Hell there are priests who have never repented of their wrong-doing: not just those who abused and corrupted young men and boys, but also those modernists who led people astray by their watered-down teaching and who even confirmed them in their sins, and so led them towards Hell.
Christ told me that He had spoken the truth when He once declared that few people find the Way to Heaven. Not many are saved, He said, because the human heart is so hard and wilful. Very many people persist in sinning, even when they know they do wrong; and in this way these people freely choose their destination.
Christ pointed out two groups of people who are unlikely to go to Heaven: those who commit serious sin, yet have no fear of death, no desire to change, and are blithely determined to stay the same; and those who would like to go to Heaven but make no effort to co-operate with Christ, or to pray or do works of charity.
Christ told me, as we prayed together, that although I had just been looking at my picture of Hell, He was at that moment seeing the reality. He can see all those souls who refused to listen to Him as He spoke through their conscience, their good friends, and the Church. He gave them freedom; they chose to ignore Him.
Christ wants people to reflect on my Last Judgement painting, and to ponder how they will feel when they come at last into the presence of God the Father, whose glory I have seen in prayer, and who is awesome in His holiness and beauty. Christ wants everyone to repent of their sins, while there is still time.
Through the Liturgy, if we are prayerful, contrite and obedient to Christ, the Father can lift us closer to Heaven
Christ told me that in His earthly life He spoke frankly about Hell as well as Heaven; yet few of those who teach the Faith, today, tell the truth about Hell. Yet, He said, through their freely-made choices, thousands fall into Hell each day; this is why it is important the people see my 'Last Judgement' picture, and reflect on it.
Christ confirmed to me that people who say that Catholics need not share their Faith, or that people of other religions will be saved by their beliefs and religious practices, are in effect declaring that Christ's plan of salvation was needless. If other religions had been sufficient to save us, why should He have come to Earth to suffer and die in agony? He came to conquer sin and death; and He alone has made a Way to Heaven.
Christ urges us all to go to Him at the tabernacle and to ask for His help, in our fight against temptations. With His powerful graces, He can give us new hope and strength, and save us from Hell. With Him, we can do good and avoid evil.
How sadly we look upon a person now dead and buried. Yet a person living in mortal sin is like a dead man, in spiritual terms. With a dead soul, no longer in communion with Christ and the Church, he is in a pitiable state, deserving of the prayers of his neighbours.
Although many Catholics pay no attention to the subject of Angels, they really exist. They serve God unceasingly, and they love to help us. They are pleased to be pictured - Christ told me - in my 'Last Judgement' painting.
Showing 1861 - 1880 of 2850