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[Throughout the Gospels] Christ repeats several times. “Do not fear…do not be afraid”. And at the same time, together with these appeals for fortitude resounds the exhortation: “rather fear him who can destroy both body and soul in hell” (Matt 10:28). We are called to fortitude and at the same time, the fear of God, and this should be a fear that comes out of love, a filial fear. And only when this fear sinks into our hearts can we be really strong with the strength of the apostles, the martyrs and the confessors.
St. John Paul II (Pope)