Fear One Thing Only

The readings for this homily

Father Matthew Tomeny, MIC confronts our natural fears, from spiders to the darkness of a prison cell, by sharing the harrowing story of a Marian priestwho survived Auschwitz and a Soviet Gulag. He reveals that the true terror is not physical suffering, but the separation of our hearts from Christ through mortal sin. While the world fears death and hardship, the Easter season reminds us that Christ has conquered both. Father Matthew urges us to fear only the loss of our union with God, which is the only thing that brings true death. He cites St. Bonaventure and St. Mother Teresa, emphasizing that the secret to a fruitful apostolate lies not in brilliance or busyness, but in the quiet power of prayer at the foot of the Cross.

The homily highlights the wisdom of Fr. George Machaj-Otis, who prayed to fear only dying without having toiled for the Church. Father Matthew explains that when we are united with God through prayer, we gain His perspective, seeing the loss of souls as the only true danger. He also celebrates the protective power of the Blessed Virgin Mary, quoting St. Louis de Montfort and the story of King John Sobieski at the Battle of Vienna. Just as Mary shelters her children like a hen with her chicks, she surrounds us with her imperial forces in our spiritual battles. Father Matthew encourages us to nestle close to Our Lady’sImmaculate Heart, where we find the peace to trust in her Son Jesus and the courage to fight for the salvation of souls without fear.