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After Confession, absolution, prayer and penance, I found myself lifted - as the Lord explained - into the 'dance' of the Three Divine Persons, Who showed me Their delight in my trust and obedience, as They shared Their joy with me in prayer.
When I had repented of my fault, Christ told me joyfully that I was forgiven; indeed, that He had forgiven me as swiftly as I used to forgive my own children when one was at fault.
Christ looks with delight at the former-prostitutes who have left behind their old lifestyle and now share with old friends the Good News about the peace and joy to be found in Christ's love and forgiveness.
There is no religion quite like the Christian religion. Though good people everywhere have sought to know about God, and to praise Him, Christians have learned about God from those who have heard Him speaking to them in person: those who heard Jesus Christ, God-made-man, offer forgiveness and Eternal Life.
There is no religion quite like the Christian religion. Though good people everywhere have sought to know about God, and to praise Him, Christians have learned about God from those who have heard Him speaking to them in person: those who heard Jesus Christ, God-made-man, offer forgiveness and Eternal Life.
When the Prince of Life was hanging on the tree, saying "Father, forgive them", a few sympathetic onlookers stayed with him.
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.
It is a serious matter to miss Mass carelessly or deliberately, and so to miss being present at the re-presentation of Christ's Sacrifice of Calvary. We could not be there, at Calvary; but we show how little love we have for Christ, and how little concern about our sin and weaknesses, if we cannot be bothered to attend Mass, as Christ prays there for us to be forgiven our wrong-doing.
God never ceases to pour out His love and forgiveness towards us all; yet a person who hides behind His sins, by refusing to let go of them, stops that divine love and forgiveness reaching Him. His darkness and sadness are self-chosen; yet by repentance, he exchanges his filthy rags for a clean white garment, and his sins are banished.
Mary, the Immaculate Virgin Mother of Christ, has a purity which is extraordinary; and we, who are not so pure, need to do penance for our sins, as well as to pray for help and forgiveness.
I 'saw' a man falling into Hell, it seemed, as he shouted at the Lord: "How dare You do this to me!" But that angry soul had spurned the Lord's friendship and forgiveness and by his own choices had chosen to be separated from God.
The sick have great work to do for God! Christ asked me to speak the truth to the other sick and handicapped people I meet: I should say that we are all called to be Saints. We can accept our unavoidable sufferings and offer them up in union with Christ on the Cross, and pray with Him for sinners to repent and find forgiveness and peace.
Although the Saints are all different in personal aptitudes, circumstances, physical appearance and skills, they have all been totally committed to Christ's Way of love and sanctity, in a spirit of humility and trust, as each - perhaps after a bad start - has led a chaste life, spoken the truth, and been gentle and forgiving towards enemies.
Judas lacked trust in God and in God's power and willingness to forgive; and so, instead of repenting and seeking mercy, Judas regretted his sin but allowed himself to run away, in shame, remorse, and despair - by which he cut himself off from Divine graces.
Truly, the Mass is the re-presentation of the unique, saving Sacrifice which Christ offered on Calvary. Here, He prays for us to His Father in Heaven, that we will be forgiven and made holy.
Jesus is willing to say, today, to each person who goes to Him, repenting of sin, what He once said to the adulterous, sorrowful woman: "Neither do I condemn you. Go away and don't sin anymore". This is true, even for people guilty of those sins which are particularly repulsive to virtuous people.
It is possible in the world to follow the inspiration of God; yet those who are transformed by Baptism are full of Divine Life of the Blessed Trinity. Only God can see who loves and serves Him and is on the Way to Heaven; but, outside the Church, it is difficult to live as a Saint among sinners if a person is ignorant of what God's Will really is, and does not have the ordinary channels of grace given unfailingly through the Church. All the more reason why we should spread the good news about Christ: the Way, the truth and the life, Who promises Heaven to forgiven sinners.
The Lord showed me the results of the Plenary Indulgence which I had gained, by His grace, through Mass and Holy Communion, special prayers, and a sincere Confession. All my sins had been forgiven, with no punishment due. It was as though I was clothed in an unspotted white Baptismal robe, and was like a carefree child in God's presence, like the people in white in the Last Judgement painting.
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.
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.
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