Theological Foundations new file

188 Theological Foundations punishments awaiting the sinners in hell and, on the other hand, about such a wonderful prospect of happiness in glory experienced by the saved ones, was to exert an influence on man’s conduct in such a way that he would firmly renounce sin and became seized with the desire to live a truly Christian life to the fullest. *** In Father Matulaitis-Matulewicz’s teaching, in his meditations upon our future life, we can also find strong statements which are to inspire the reader to turn away from himself and cling to God. Casting off the inordinate love of self gives us the true freedom of the sons of God and clothes us in the garment of Christ’s Spirit and grace. Renouncing the self, the world and Satan enables us to give up our corrupt body and the narrow abode of this world, to immerse ourselves in God and make our dwelling in the tabernacle of the Most High. How clear our mind becomes, then, how free our spirit, how big and open our heart! Only then do we truly begin to feel that all men are brothers, that mankind is but one family; and with a warm heart, we begin to embrace all men and press them to our hearts with love. “We feel then, cries out Blessed George, that we would give all our blood, drop by drop, to bring our brethren, that family of God, to God, and to unity with Christ and the Church! When God’s love enters, our heart dilates and becomes large enough to contain all mankind, without class or national distinction.” 48 When the human soul, transported by the Holy Spirit, rises and soars to those lofty heights where the Most Blessed Trinity glows and shines forth eternally in infinite splendor, it sees, as it regards this world from those altitudes, how small and wretched it is. Man learns then how to appraise everything on this earth and to put it in its proper place. He is then able to employ earthly things as instruments for the greater glory of God. He regards everything in the light of eternity, the good of the Church, the salvation of souls and his own progress towards attaining perfection. 49 How wonderful is the world viewed by Blessed George from the