Theological Foundations new file

43 God in the Center ideals and the desire to grow in perfection. He must strengthen himself in the conviction that perfection consists in fulfilling everything that God expects from him and in surrendering himself to God totally. This was the way to heaven taken by all the holy patriarchs and religious. Abraham who, at God’s command, left his homeland and all his posses- sions behind and was ready to sacrifice even his own son, is a perfect example in this respect. In a similar manner, a religious left his home and family and went where the Holy Spirit directed him through his religious vocation. Therefore he should abandon everything that he has been accustomed to and surrender his will to God who is good. 73 He should also remember that God will reward him according to his work. The awareness of this truth should inspire him to look for work that is most conducive to his spiritual growth. He should not wait for work passive- ly but employ his desires and best efforts in fruitful endeavors. He should not accept mediocrity in his work for God, rather, he should put all his heart into it and strive for what is higher and more perfect. Only actions count in eternity, as it was stated in this promise: “Their deeds follow them” (Rev 14, 13). A zealous servant of God tries to avoid the fate of the careless disciples who persist in their laziness while others distinguish themselves with diligence. 74 There is a special grace available to those who are united with God, a grace which Father Papczynski calls “a gift of spiritual vision,” a grace for which one must ask just like the blind man in the Gospel did: “Master, let me receive my sight” (Mk 10, 51). He encourages us to pray for this gift in such a fervent way that it borders on obtrusion. This prayer asks for the grace to gaze intently upon the Creator, which can be achieved through contemplation. The path of contemplation leads one to self knowledge, to the knowledge of God and to a close union with Him as the Supreme Good, the union which is the goal of one’s work toward personal sanctification. Of all the goods bestowed by God upon the peo- ple the gift of contemplation is the greatest. Since the happiness of those already in heaven consists in their ability to see God, the people on earth who can see Him in their souls and make Him present to others also