Martyrdom and Apologetics

In the end, of course, only the saints and the martyrs make converts in any number. I see now what is meant when it is said that the seed of the Church is the blood of the martyrs. If the heart hath reasons that reason knoweth not of, then it must be said that the best apologetical approach to the non-Catholic is martyrdom, for the economy of the Incarnation is the begetting of love in loving unto death, in dying that others may live. Then, too, there is another thing. There are the doubting Thomases, with their congenitally curious fingers. There must always be fresh wounds for the satisfaction of these doubting digits.

Ah, yes, asks the Catholic, but have there ever been so many doubting Thomases as there are in the world today? Perhaps not, replies the non-Catholic, but have there ever been so few martyrs? But viewed from their point of view or ours, the fact stands-the world is agonizing in spiritual starvation. Can the soul of man best be fed with Catholic apologetics? Or with the Word of Love?

“And my speech and my preaching were not in the persuasive words of human wisdom,” said St. Paul, “but in showing the Spirit and the power” (1 Cor. 2:4) (Clare Boothe Luce)

The one thing necessary for effective apologetics is being a saint. If we are saints then the rest will follow. This is basically what I am learning. I really should change this blog from The Art of Apologetics to The Art of Sanctity. We can have arguments that move mountains but without sanctity what does it profit? May God give me the Grace.

"Though beheaded, and crucified, and thrown to wild beasts, and chains, and fire, and all other kinds of torture, we do not give up our confession; but, the more such things happen, the more do others in larger numbers become faithful." (St. Justin Martyr)