No. 438. Love is the most necessary of all the virtues. Yes, I say it and will say it a thousand times: the virtue an apostolic missionary needs most of all is love. He must love God, Jesus Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and his neighbours. If he lacks this love, all his talents, however fine in themselves are for nothing. But if, together with his natural endowments, he has much love, he has everything.
- Love in a man who preaches the Word of God is like fire in a musket. If a man were to throw a bullet with his hands, he would hardly make a dent in anything; but if he takes this same bullet and ignites some gunpowder behind it, it can kill. It is much the same with Word of God. If God’s Word is spoken only naturally, it does very little; but if it spoken by a priest who is filled with the fire of charity – the fire of love of God and neighbour – it will wound vices, kill sins, convert sinners, and work wonders.
Recommended
A must-watch: A Hidden Life: The Austrian Blessed Franz Jägerstätter, a conscientious objector, refuses to fight for the Nazis in World War II.
St. Anthony Mary Claret: http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=1452