From Fear to Peace - Fr. Pat McGrath 5.24.26

What is one thing in your life right now that you are not doing because you are afraid? Maybe you are afraid of failing. Afraid of what others might think. Afraid of being judged, rejected, or not being enough. Maybe you are afraid of letting someone down, getting hurt, or stepping into something uncertain. Fear has a way of locking us up. It convinces us to stay quiet, small, and hidden. But think about the moments in your life when you did push past the fear. What helped you move forward? Maybe it was encouragement from someone you trusted. Maybe it was focusing less on yourself and more on the people you could help. Maybe it was remembering the joy, healing, or goodness that could come if you took the risk anyway. Courage is not the absence of fear. Often, courage is simply recognizing that something else is more important than fear. Fear is part of the human experience. Even the disciples at Pentecost were afraid. They literally locked themselves in a room — confused, anxious, and uncertain about what would come next. But then Jesus entered into that fear and spoke peace. He breathed the Holy Spirit upon them and sent them out on a mission so the world could hear the Good News of the Gospel. And it is a good thing they left that room. Because their courage changed lives. Their willingness to move forward despite fear allowed others to encounter hope, healing, and the love of God. Whatever fear you may be carrying today, remember this: fear does not have to have the final word. You can still feel afraid and move forward anyway. And when you do, both you and the people around you can be blessed by your courage. It can strengthen you, stretch you, and help you grow into the person God is calling you to be. In today’s episode, Father Pat McGrath reminds us that the question is not whether fear exists. The question is whether we will allow the Holy Spirit to move us beyond it and into the life and mission God is calling us to live.