Theological Foundations new file

45 God in the Center the love of God and neighbor. 78 Another expression of such a consecration to God is a faithful preser- vation of His commandments, the commandments of the Church and their own constitutions, fulfilling the obligations which ensue from the evangelical counsels and cooperating with God’s grace. In all of this one should be open to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit, follow them, try to overcome any adversities and carry one’s daily cross patiently, bravely and gladly in union with Christ. 79 True surrender to God requires ridding one’s heart of everything that is not from God. It requires that man become master of himself and form the closest possible union with Christ. Our Savior said: “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me” (Mt 16, 24). 80 Father Papczynski and Father Matulaitis-Matulewicz share a conviction that good intention, which is so important in Christian formation, is of great help in consecrating everything to God. If a person is guided by a super- natural intention in everything, his actions are more meritorious. Therefore, we should make certain that all our intentions are subordi- nated to the love of the One who is worthy of love above all else. 81 Hence, virtually everything, even the smallest matters, should be conse- crated to God according to the encouragement offered by St. Paul: “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Col 3, 17). St. Paul enumerates the particular daily matters which should be consecrated to God: “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (Cor 10, 31). 82 Even in mat- ters of small importance, such that they mean nothing in the opinion of the world or which this world regards as contemptible, love and good intention lift them up to Him and join them to Him, our ultimate end, and sanctify them, make them great, pleasing to God and full of merit. 83 Father Papczynski and Father Matulaitis-Matulewicz consistently implement the principle of theocentrism and assign to it a fundamental role in moral formation. They do not share the false conviction that man is free only when he alone decides his fate “as if he were to lay out the paths of his life all by himself in empty space all around him.” 84 And