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It can happen that someone finds himself so isolated and unhappy, through his mistakes and much-regretted decisions, that it's as if he waits in a deep pit, praying for the courage and humility to reach out and accept the necessary help, to return to joy.

Christ holds out His hand, all the time, to rescue people from sinful ways. Yet He does not save us without our consent. A man 'stuck' fast in sinful habits need to put out his hand to Christ - to say 'Yes' to Christ - if he wants to be delivered from his terrible state.

Row upon row of flames can be seen in the depths of Hell, where are nestled - because of their own choices - impenitent souls who lived until death in lust, pride or disobedience, or lacking compassion and love.

A person who lives in selfish isolation, with a cold-hearted stance towards others, nevertheless benefits from the kind acts by which others reach out in charity. Kind people with the 'fuel' or 'fire' of love, help to keep that soul alive in his self-chosen winter.

People who say they love God but who refuse to do His will are as if 'hiding' away from His sight, in a dark pit. As long as they stay 'hidden', they are not yet walking on the bridge to Heaven, the 'bridge' made by Christ across the Abyss.

Christ came a long way to save us: all the way from Heaven, to die for us, and to be the Bridge to glory that everyone is invited to find and cross. Sadly, many people refuse to believe in Him.

It is essential that we love God, and love our neighbour. There really will be a Last Judgement, when those who have put their trust in Christ are rewarded and those who were disobedient and rebellious will be sent away to Hell. By our freely-made choices in everyday life we are each moving towards the heights of glory or towards the torments of the damned.

Christ is Present in the tabernacle, ready to greet those who have chosen to be near Him; but at the end of time everyone will be near Him, willingly or not - waiting to be judged. If people are reminded of this, they might alter their behaviour, while there is time.

God our loving Father delights in forgiving each person who turns to Him in sorrow for sin, and trust. But those who do not repent of their sins and do not turn to God, cannot receive the forgiveness which He holds out to us all our lives.

God our loving Father delights in forgiving each person who turns to Him in sorrow for sin, and trust. But those who do not repent of their sins and do not turn to God, cannot receive the forgiveness which He holds out to us all our lives.

If we refuse to follow the teachings of Christ and His Church, and lead immoral lives, we are like people who ignore a 'danger' sign and walk across a road where there is severe subsidence. They will risk losing limb or life. We risk our eternal life with God.

If we refuse to follow the teachings of Christ and His Church, and lead immoral lives, we are like people who ignore a 'danger' sign and walk across a road where there is severe subsidence. They will risk losing limb or life. We risk our eternal life with God.

We can picture Heaven as being like a big party, where everyone is related, and, where people live together in mutual delight, love and care, in God's presence; yet careless or lukewarm friends of God are held and purified below, until they are ready to take part. Those who refuse God's friendship utterly, however, descend to Hell, where there is no hope of joy.

Each of us is on our way towards Heaven or Hell. By our own free decision, we are moving closer to God or away from Him. We need to look at everything in our lives, and ask ourselves: "Does this help me to achieve sanctity, or hinder me?"

Before the time of Christ, people had to go to the Temple at Jerusalem to be where God had come down in a special way. But Jesus, by His saving work, and the gift of Baptism, has made possible the entry of God, and the indwelling of God, in His glory, in the soul of the one who has freely accepted Christ and the sacrament.

Christ reminded me of what He showed me long ago, as a reminder for us all, that if anyone deliberately does wrong it's as if he takes the first step onto a road which is about to collapse because of subsidence; yet the person has ignored all the warning signs.

Christ gives every sinner opportunities for reflection, repentance and change. Yet people who continue to ignore His invitation are heading for spiritual disaster as surely as people travelling on a fast steam-train as it suddenly approaches a fallen tree on the track.

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.

A person trapped in sin can benefit from the prayers of other people on her behalf. Through them, God can shine a light on that sinner's life and actions, so she can see things clearly, and decide to change. God is merciful - but some people refuse to act in response to His love.

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.