Fear no one.

by Fr. Jerome Cayetano  |  06/21/2026  |  The WORD in other words

We humans have a lot of fears. We fear water, that is, "hydrophobia." We fear of heights, that is, "aerophobia.” We fear of death, that is, "thanaphobia." We fear enclosed spaces, that is, "claustrophobia."

In our Gospel today, Jesus assures the twelve disciples and all of us: "Fear no one. Nothing is concealed, that that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known...And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both body and soul in Gehenna." (Mt 10: 28)

We should not fear anyone or anything. Why? Because we are significant and special before God. He has created us unto His image and likeness; He has shared and given us His divine attributes; He has redeemed us through the Paschal Mystery of His Son; and he has destined us to be with him in eternity in heaven.

And if we are significant, special and important to Him, we have to develop the "holy fear of God.” It simply means that due reverence and honor ought to be given to Him by acknowledging that He is our God and we are His children. And as God's children, we are totally dependent on Him in everything.

Without God in our life, we are nothing. Without God, we cannot even accomplish anything good and worthwhile in His presence. It implies that we must not hurt God by our sins, but try to please Him by being good, just, and holy at all times. Like Jesus, our sole preoccupation in life is to surrender our will to Him and do His will and to please Him.

"Holy fear of God" is enhanced and cherished when we try to confess our grave and mortal sins as soon as possible. Postponement and procrastination to confess is an indication that we do not fear Him, and we do not fear going to hell. We should never allow the "sin of sloth," the "sin of presumption," and the "sin of tepidity" to affect our spiritual life and our relationship with God. These sins ought to be confessed to a priest if we are guilty of them. "Holy fear of God" is further developed when we acknowledge Jesus as our Lord and God, when we try to obey all Jesus' commands and teachings. To reject Jesus and to remain in our pride and arrogance shows that we do not fear God.