Theological Foundations new file

85 Life in Christ this by the millions of people who now live on earth and who lived here since the beginning of the world. Meanwhile, God is still being offended, God’s teaching continues to be twisted, the Church is still persecuted and divided. Christ took all of this on His shoulders and wanted to make reparations for it. 94 In his meditations on the imitation of Christ, Father Matulaitis- Matulewicz turns to the thought of St. Bonaventure 95 who presents this Divine model in a very vivid and touching manner. Jesus is the bright- est image of all virtues and good habits and the most perfect example of holiness. Therefore, we should try to become more like Him by imitat- ing His habits and virtues, even as we were created in His image, and we will share in His brightness and glory. We must, then, bring His entire life closer to our hearts. How very humble was He when He was among people, how gracious toward His disciples, how temperate in food and drink, how merciful to the poor. He was free from the cares of the world, He was not preoccupied with the needs of the flesh, He was modest in his manner, patient in adversity, quiet in answering questions, He did not use harsh or unpleasant words, but healed people of their anger with gentle and humble answers. He was always orderly in His gestures, con- cerned about the salvation of souls, because it was for them that He wanted to become man and die. He was the example of all goodness and compassion, He did not hold sinners in contempt, He graciously received those who were repenting, He gladly served others. Therefore, in all His words and deeds He is the example to follow. 96 To sum up the suggestions and recommendations made thus far, we must emphasize that the teaching on the life of Christ put forth by the two authors is profoundly theological. This is also confirmed in con- temporary religious thought which is characterized by the conviction that Jesus Christ is the center of all creation, especially of man and his actions. He is the center of the history of salvation and it is in Him that God focused the work of creation, revelation, redemption and the escha- tological fullness of man. Hence, the Christocentric attitude should be characterized by a formation of personal and community life that con-