Theological Foundations new file

148 Theological Foundations tion of this incomprehensible mystery, an explanation that came from God Himself: “An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream ...” (Mt 1, 20). God’s goodness usually makes the truth known to those who have doubts but consider them prudently and are slow to suspect .21 As he studies Mary’s further life, Father Papczynski draws conclu- sions from subsequent events, conclusions that are important and perti- nent to the matter of spiritual formation. At virtually every opportunity he finds concrete instructions in these events. In the scene where Jesus is presented in the temple, Father Papczynski sees an example of dutiful obedience. Jesus the Child and His Mother comply with the require- ments of the Mosaic law even though they were exempt from it by the power of a special privilege. “For you must know that there is no entrance, no ladder to heaven, to the land of eternal life, other than [the ladder of] humility.” 22 But the joy of the presentation is also accompanied by the pain fore- told by an old man inspired by the Holy Spirit: “And a sword will pierce through your own soul” (Lk 2, 35). Divine Wisdom can intertwine what is joyful with what is unfavorable. During this joyful ceremony, Divine Wisdom pierced the heart of the Mother of God with the sword of pain. Every joy she experienced was accompanied by sadness, so that her spirit would become stronger and so that she would be able to enjoy even greater glory later in the land of eternal peace. 23 It is precisely this kind of relation between the experience of pain and the experience of glory that Father Papczynski finds in Mary’s life. The Most Holy Virgin was called the Queen of Heaven only after her Son had risen from the dead. The messenger from heaven who came to announce her future motherhood did not use this title as he addressed her. There is no doubt that she received the scepter of the heavenly kingdom only after she had experienced the pain during Christ’s Passion. 24 At Cana in Galilee, the author shows Mary in the role of a mediatrix. She honored the wedding feast with her presence. She showed there how very concerned she is about human poverty and need. She expressed this concern in a very simple statement and, at the same time, a request