Theological Foundations new file

40 Theological Foundations which it showers upon them, rather than out of fear of punishment and a hope for rewards, even though these latter ought to help them to do good, too. 59 They must act in such a manner that they would be pleasing to God, they must always conform their will to God’s Most Holy Will and faithfully put it into practice. 60 The consequence of such an attitude is total dedication and submission of one’s self and one’s life to God. b) Total Submission to God Following the biblical thought that the heart is man’s spiritual center, Father Papczynski states that it is necessary to submit one’s whole heart completely to God. This particular statement lies at the foundation of his teaching on Christian formation. God should occupy the very center of human soul and dwell there in an atmosphere of love. What should this love be like? In his answer to this question, Father Papczynski refers to the letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, in which the Apostle of love described this virtue and recommended it to all the faithful in Corinth (cf. 1 Cor. 13, 1-7 ). 61 In our author’s opinion, true love of God should offer only the purest sacrifices on the altar of the heart. It must be pure, holy, ardent, heaven- ly and, like the salt which was sprinkled upon the offerings made according to the Old Law to enhance their taste and protect them from spoiling, true love should enhance the value of every sacrifice. 62 This love, however, comes from the eternal source of infinite love, for it is God Himself who takes the human heart into His possession and wants to reside in it as King on His own throne and as God on His own altar. 63 He Himself initiates the close relationship between Himself and man and the consequence of this relationship is a bestowal of gifts. A special exchange of gifts takes place inside the mystical temple on the altar of human heart. In Father Stanislaus’ opinion, man will always be endowed with gifts whenever he approaches God. The incomprehensible and infi- nite Lord makes a gift of Himself to His creation. But He molded the human heart in such a way that it, too, wants to possess Him. After all, it does cling to its Creator and yearns after Him. Indeed, our heart can-