I must feel the truth that once I was as close to hell as I am to the chair I am sitting on – even closer. Its darkness, like vapor, had entered my soul and was luring me down. Its views were my views. I was a son of hell (Matt. 23:15), a child of the Devil (John 8:44) and of wrath (Eph. 2:3). I belonged to the viper’s brood (Matt. 3:7), without hope and without God (Eph. 2:12). I must believe that just as a rock climber, having slipped, hangs over the deadly cliff by his fingertips, so I once hung over hell and was a heartbeat away from eternal torment. I say it slowly, eternal torment!
John Piper

Altar

Altar

ALTAR

BASIC R.C. BELIEF A table of stone containing relics of martyrs on which is offered the Sacrifice of the Mass. An altar is essential to this Sacrifice, although in times of emergency, certain concessions are made.

POST VATICAN II The altar has been moved so that the priest now says Mass facing the people. The custom of putting relics of saints in or under the altars is still commended (GENERAL INSTRUCTION ON THE ROMAN MISSAL, Vatican II, 3/36/70, para. 266), although it is not done as universally as it was done previously.