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Christ wishes that more Catholics would be concerned about His honour, and would treat His 'house of prayer' as a holy place, and not as a market-place or a pub, with loud chatter and little prayer.
Christ asked me to place two pictures side by side in a new published card, so that people can see that the prayer He offers, as our High-Priest, from the sanctuary at Mass, is the very same sacrificial prayer and offering that He once offered from the Cross.
It is the Lord Who has inspired the Church to celebrate special anniversaries in her own life and in the lives of the Saints. He invites us to celebrate not just those feast-days, but also our own: for example, the anniversary of a baptism, a conversion, or reception.
Whoever praises God for the grass and the sunlight, the raindrops and the dew, should know that all the beauty of nature has been prepared by God for our delight, and our use. By His deliberate plan, He made a world for us, where we can find life sustained, and our hearts touched by so much loveliness.
Christ our Saviour is present in the Sacred Scriptures, present in the priest who is 'another Christ' for us, present in the assembly which is Christ's body - yet He is Present supremely, substantially, in the Eucharistic species. Under the appearance of bread and wine, Christ is as close to us as to His followers in Galilee long ago.
Christ is deeply touched, and very pleased, when we take part in traditional devotions such as Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, with Benediction, or the 'Forty Hours', and various devotions which honour His holy Mother Mary. He does not want anyone to criticise such practices, nor to ban them.
To be in the Presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament is to be in the Presence of God: to be with our Saviour now, as the Apostles were with Him in Galilee or Jerusalem. Though He is 'hidden', he deserves adoration and reverence in traditional ways. It is not appropriate to arrange rock music, or half-naked dancing girls.
The image of Jacob's Ladder, seen in a vision, is helpful when we want to explain the importance of being in a Catholic church, where Jesus our God is Really, substantially Present in the tabernacle. Through Jesus, we have access to our Father in Heaven. Jesus is like a 'ladder' by which we can ascend, in prayer.
We meet Christ in the prayer and love of the Christian community, in the Holy Scriptures, and in our priests; and supremely in His Real Presence in the Blessed Sacrament
It was from the heart of our loving Father in Heaven that human beings 'emerged', beautifully designed for loving union in marriage, and for fruitful love, in self-giving. They would welcome and care for their children, and all family members would care for one another. That was God's plan for Mankind.
The hierarchical ordering of creation is part of the plan of God our Creator, with human beings 'higher' than fish and animals. Man and woman are equally important in God's sight, and designed to come together for a life-long union and the creation of children in a union properly called marriage.
Jesus Christ, our incarnate God, is substantially Present with us in the Holy Eucharist. We cannot see Him within the Sacred Host. But we who believe in His words accept the truth about His Presence, rejoice in it - and are eager to show our love and devotion in traditional ways of adoration, reverence, and with processions and hymns.
A person who is at work fulfilling his ordinary duties for love of God is very beautiful, in God's sight. This is what Our Lord Jesus Christ did, for many years, before He set out for His brief but amazing Public Ministry. We too, can be sure that we please God when we fulfil our daily duties.
Christ brought to my mind the image of St. Peter, in my local church, saying: St. Peter did not let the memory of his own failures stop him from preaching repentance to other people. Christ asked me not to let the memory of my own sins hold me back from prayer and brave words by which I can help others to repent of their bad behaviour and find peace in and with Christ.
Christ is pleased when we step forward when people are grieving, to offer comfort, or to make kind enquiries - even if those people are strangers. It is better than hurrying past, worrying about them but not acting.
A good priest feels privileged to be ordained, is awestruck by Christ's love, believes all that the Church teaches, never grumbles about his work, is keen to hand on the truth, is fearless in preaching, tells the whole truth about faith and morals, and requests reverent behaviour in church, where Christ is Really Present in the Blessed Sacrament.
We are right to do penance for our sins, especially in the season of Lent. But if we fail in our efforts, we must not become despondent. Our Divine Saviour, Who can forgive the most evil acts of a repentant sinner can certainly forgive us, if by carelessness or greed we act to indulge ourselves in little ways.
The Angel said to Mary: "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus." And Mary said: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord."
The Angel said to Mary: "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus." And Mary said: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord."
Just as a chef is kind to his trainee when he reminds him that he has forgotten to put eggs in his sponge mixture, so we speak from charity, not from hard-heartedness, when we give people precise instructions about the Faith, and tell them what behaviour is sinful in the sight of God.
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