Theological Foundations new file

213 A Theological Evaluation 3. The Value of the Doctrine The research of Father Papczynski’s and Father Matulaitis- Matulewicz’s writings conducted so far strengthens us in the conviction that their teaching is of timeless value. A decisive factor in this matter is the fact that both authors drew their knowledge abundantly from the treasury of the revealed sources of Scripture and Tradition. Most of the time the starting point for their meditations was a text from the Holy Scriptures. Later, as they elaborated on a given subject, a thought or an event from the Bible would appear in order to provide both the proof and the final argument. Both of them used the works of the great Fathers of the Church, exegetes, theologians and other writers in order to gain a more profound insight into a truth revealed by God and bring out all of its richness. In this way, they created a complete and mature model of spiritual life which bore fruit in generations of their disciples. One of the more important and more apparent qualities of Father Papczynski’s and Father Matulaitis-Matulewicz’s teaching is the empha- sis on intimacy with God. It is love that is the beckoning force and the way to profound union with Him. It is love that puts God at the center of human existence, giving Him complete rule over our lives. At the same time, it is through love that man finds his fulfilment and greatest happi- ness in God. Father Papczynski describes the union with God as meeting Him inside a mystical temple. There is an altar within man, which is the human heart, where God resides hidden as in the Eucharist. 34 The two authors present love as the greatest power of Christianity. This is partic- ularly emphasized in their extensive discussion of active love. It encom- passes all people, even enemies, and sets no limits. An expression of such love is Father Matulaitis-Matulewicz’s call which can be found in his Diary: “We must be not only defenders but also a force [for love] which would enter, steal and storm in everywhere, to seize and occupy. We must learn to adapt ourselves to all kinds of conditions, even the most difficult; we should go, first of all, wherever it is most difficult and begin our work there and there establish and organize others.” 35