Father Casimir Wyszynski

103 The Servant of Mary Immaculate Being essential characteristics of Christian life (see 1 Cor 13:13), faith, hope and love are called virtues . Virtues constantly urge man to morally good conduct. Since above all, these virtues are the gift of grace, they are thus defined as infused virtues . And because they are directly related to aman’s relationshipwith God, they are also spoken of as theological virtues . 55 “Aman re- ceives new light through faith , which enables him to learn of God’s salvific plan and adhere to Him in a personal manner. Thanks to hope , themanwishes to possess God by obtaining His help in order to overcome all trials and adversities which would otherwise impede his realization of the Kingdom of God in him- self and in the world. Finally, the virtue of love captures God as love (God is love, 1 Jn 4:8.16), becoming a response to His love and allowing aman to speak directly to God and to people created in His image.” 56 The theological virtues which enliven the life of grace, which is the beginning of eternal life, differ in accordancewith theman- ner inwhich theymove a soul towards God. Through faith we re- ceive the word of God, revealing to us the plan of salvation, and we set out on our road towards God. Through hope our intention and fervent desire are directed to God in order to possess Himby relying on Him during our difficult journey. Through love we are already united to God, even if this union always depends on the imperfection of our knowing the faith and the danger of suc- cumbing to the power of sin. And yet, as St. Paul says: “Love never fails” (1 Cor 12:8), because that same love will be realized in the contemplation of and possession of God during life eternal. 57 A German biblical scholar, K. Shlier, remarked, after analyzing St. Paul’s statement concerning faith, hope and love (1 Cor 13:13): “If we consider the main direction of Christian existence, we see that the center of gravity lies with hope. If we examine the sub- 55 J. Piegsa, MSF, Człowiek istota moralna , vol. 2, Opole 2002, 9-10; H. Misztal, Prawo kanonizacyjne według ustawodawstwa Jana Pawła II , Lublin-San- domierz 1997, 55. 56 Ch. A. Bernard, Wprowadzenie do teologii duchowości …, 56. 57 Ibid, 57.