Theological Foundations new file

62 Theological Foundations Stanislaus draws the readers’ attention to one particular sin committed by those who listened to Jesus. They said that He was possessed by demons: “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” (Jn 8, 48). Jesus patiently bore the sharp lashes of the mali- cious tongues. His patience is amazing and admirable. It is an example to be imitated by those who are being condemned and slandered. They should not allow this to upset them but try to preserve the peace and serenity of spirit. 22 Jesus’ patience and goodness compels many to conversion. Thus His promise is being fulfilled: “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself” (Jn 12, 32). When Christ Jesus was to become clothed in the garment of the Divine glory at Mount Tabor, He wanted only three persons to witness His transfiguration because He felt that it would be of smaller benefit to the people. But when He was to suffer, He wanted to be lifted up above the earth and crucified in the cap- ital city of the Jews in front of a great crowd of people. In this manner His suffering became like a rope by means of which He was to draw the whole world to Himself. It was at this particular moment that Christ’s humanity acquired omnipotence and took reign over the entire cre- ation. 23 It is at this point that His work of converting all the people to God begins. *** Life in Christ is understood somewhat differently by the Renovator of the Marians. Father Papczynski treats the subject more in terms of the doctrine while Father Matulaitis-Matulewicz does so from the ascetic point of view. The first author shows Christ as the God-Man, emphasiz- ing His might and saving power as He exerts influence on man. The other author brings Christ into the difficult and complicated life of the contemporary world which is to become renewed in Christ, so that con- temporary man might be reborn spiritually. 24 This profound relationship with Christ who enters the difficult history of man and the world became evident in Father Matulaitis-Matulewicz’s