Theological Foundations new file

69 Life in Christ Father Papczynski is able to present various aspects of conversion. All of them aim at spiritual progress and holiness. Our author encourages his readers to enter a noble competition in their quest for perfection and he recalls the words of Christ’s admonishment: “You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5, 48). The Supreme Master of Perfection wants His disciples to attain the perfection attrib- uted to God Himself. 44 He Himself is the model of perfection and the unparalleled example to imitate. That is why, when Father Papczynski was saying good-bye to his confreres before he died, he left them as his testament a picture of himself only to look at, and the example of Jesus Christ’s life to imitate. 45 *** Blessed George Matulaitis-Matulewicz closely associates the idea of repentance and conversion with an obligation to strive for spiritual trans- formation understood as striving for holiness. To this ardent apostle, per- sonal holiness is the foundation of all works and intentions. Hence, we should spare neither time nor effort for our spiritual betterment. We should be dedicated to this most important of tasks with all our hearts because the Lord Jesus said: “For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?” (Mk 8, 36). 46 Therefore we must con- stantly perfect our spiritual life in order not to cause damage to our soul. “Our task must be: to be perfect and to perfect; to perfect ourselves and to perfect others and their works. We must perfect ourselves in the spir- itual life by selecting those spiritual exercises which especially impel one more toward a conscious supernatural life, as, for example: a pure, supernatural intention (this should become habitual in our lives), partic- ular and general examens of conscience, meditations, spiritual reading, a good and conscientious confession, made at least once a month with sincerity and open-heartedness, a report on our spiritual life to our spir- itual moderator.” 47 However, special attention is paid by the author to the discussion of the mystery of the Blessed Sacrament in our spiritual life and thus in the realization of the idea of conversion.