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Whenever we pray 'Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit', with a sincere heart, it's as if a sunspot erupts in our hearts, as glory streams up to God, to honour Him and to bring delight to the whole of Heaven.

As gigantic flames leap up from the surface of the sun, so the ardent soul's fervent prayers leap up - as great 'flames' of glory - towards Heaven, whenever we offers sincere words of praise to God. This gives joy to the soul, and joy to Heaven.

From the ardent soul which offers sincere praise to God, great 'flames' of glory leap up to Heaven.

Of all the paths which people tell us lead to God, only one does so. There is no way 'up' to God except through Christ and His life of grace. Other short paths are made by human beings who search for truth. We can admire their sincerity and good desires but not their main conclusions if they take us away from Christ.

Sincere praise, offered through Jesus, in the Spirit, to the Father of light, flies swiftly to the 'heart' of Heaven, as when an arrow pierces a cloud. Our prayers are worthwhile and effective.

God sees every good effort of human beings to serve Him. Sincere people in many religions reach out towards Heaven, to praise their Creator, however they picture Him, and in the hope of contact with Him. Yet the Catholic Faith is different from other religions in that, at every Mass, Heaven is laid open above us. Christ's power and Christ's intercession allow us to reach the Father, in the Spirit, through baptism and faith and the Sacrifice of the Mass.

Those who cannot be bothered to go to Mass are guilty of more than just laziness, in God's sight. They are like those friends of Jesus who deserted Him during His Passion. And so it is, when His friends cannot be bothered to attend and pray at the Holy Sacrifice.

Those friends of Christ today who cannot be bothered to go to Mass act like those friends of Christ, long ago, who ran away when Christ was arrested and crucified.

When we sincerely repent of our sins and weaknesses it is as if a trapdoor opens above our head, as Heaven's light shines in, to bring us peace, light and closer union with God.

By a sincere prayer for help, a person can receive from God enough grace to be able to turn round, move away from spiritual danger, and climb up high, to rejoin the narrow way that leads to light, which is life in Christ.

Sometimes, when we are tired, Christ calls us to rest, and 'helps us' to find that rest in our lives.

When people accept God's call, and approach Him, some halt soon afterwards, being afraid that He will ask them to do uncongenial tasks, or make sacrifices they don't want to make. They do not really open their hearts to Him in prayer, for the same reason, and picture the Godhead as a massive fortress or walled city, with an open door they do not want to enter. They do not discover, therefore, all the joys and delights found inside by God's friends.

It is true that we should be kind to everyone; yet we need to be prudent and watchful in dealing with people who seem to be half 'out of their minds' due to their uncontrolled appetites.

As corn is cut whether by a sickle or a machine, so wherever prayer is offered to God the Father in the name of Jesus, His Son, by sincere people, such prayer honours Him; and it brings blessings upon those who offer it - whether at formal gatherings or in small private groups, or individuals.

Catholics who want to do more than fulfil ordinary duties with little enthusiasm should follow the 'ladder' to Heaven, which consists of three stages: purgation, illumination and union. These lead to the heights of contemplation, and to eternal bliss in Heaven.

Some people refuse all sorts of requests and invitations from an acquaintance, then expect to be treated as a 'best friend' when finally turning up for a wedding party. People who habitually ignore Christ cannot expect to find instant joy when they finally decide to spend a few moments in prayer. They are unprepared for union.

Where is Everyone? Christ 'wonders', so to speak (though He knows everything) - Where are all those followers of His who profess to love Him? Yet many can't be bothered to meet Him at Mass, whilst others have not yet been told that He is Really, substantially Present here in the Blessed Sacrament.

After Confession: Christ took my face in His hands and said to me: "Well done"! In this way He showed His delight in my sincere Confession this morning in the Sacrament of Penance.

God the Father is surrounded in Heaven by the Saints, who share His joy; so when we please Him by our love for Christ, our sincere prayer, our encouragement of others in faith, and our efforts to foster reverence in God's house, we give joy to the Saints.

God the Father is surrounded in Heaven by the Saints, who share His joy; so when we please Him by our love for Christ, our sincere prayer, our encouragement of others in faith, and our efforts to foster reverence in God's house, we give joy to the Saints.