Fear is a part of life, and we have all entertained our own personal fears. Our fears are a matter of perspective, especially the fear of death - perhaps the greatest fear of humanity. For those of us with God in our life and faith in Jesus, we have certain hope in the plan of God for us after this life. Remember: sparrows, the simplest of birds, are not without God's divine care - so how much more, then, is His care for you?

Sometimes, bad things happen and we entertain thoughts of God punishing us. We ascribe to God a sense of quid pro quo or wrathfulness because of a sin or a bad decision we have made, but this is the farthest thing from the truth. Christ died for us while we were still sinners, and His love for each of us is perfect, unconditional, and unending.

Jesus wants to be your strength; to enter and redeem all the hurting places in your life. There is a powerful, healing strength in the Eucharist, if our hearts are open to receive Him. The next time you attend Mass, pay attention as you approach for Communion. Remember who it is that you're receiving, and then invite Him very specifically into the broken or lonely or hurting places in your life. Don't just consume a host; receive the strength, and the power, and the healing of the Lord.

Theologian G.K. Beale wrote about how we become like what we worship. By worshiping God, who is love, we are conformed into being the loving person God wants us to be. To love as God love forces us to examine how we deal with our relationships and the quality of our love in those relationships. Examine your conscience for where God is in your life. Based on that, reorient that which is blocking His love or increase that which is drawing you closer to Him.

The Bible lists nine “fruits of the Holy Spirit” (Gal 5:22-23): love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These “fruits” are the result of the presence of the Holy Spirit in one’s life. By the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, our behaviors change and our lives change as a result, regardless of the situations we find ourselves in. If you desire to have that Spirit more alive and active or just want to go deeper and be renewed, try praying the following:
Come Holy Spirit. Come into my heart. Open my mind. Clear away my distractions. Renew my life. Renew my faith. Renew my passion. Renew my behavior. Turn my pride into humility. Change my anxiety into peace. Change my sorrow to joy. Move my heart to love as you love. Come Holy Spirit. Set my heart on fire for love of you. Enkindle my desire for Christ. Move my heart for needs of others. Open my mind to your Scriptures. Inspire me to serve others. Come Holy Spirit. Sanctify me. Strengthen my will. Purify my conscience. Transform my mind. Come Holy Spirit and make me new. Amen.

Theologians urge caution about literally thinking of heaven as being "up," rather than an experience beyond our understanding of space and time. That said, we naturally find ourselves looking "up" when we lift our eyes toward heaven. Our calling is to strike a balance: always keeping our faith strong by looking "up" while always keeping our feet on the ground to do God's will here on earth.

We don’t all look the same way, think the same way, or vote the same way - and yet, here we are, gathered together by God’s love around this Table. All of us have someone in our life, even if we disagree with them or they make us uncomfortable, who needs encouragement, a simple hello, an invitation to go for a walk. Find that person; notice them; gather them in. Be their connection with the love of Christ.
 
You can read the full transcript and watch a recording of Admiral McRaven's commencement speech (referenced in Dcn. Brett's homily) at bit.ly/McRaven2014.

God wants us to be close to us, accompanying us wherever we go, through thick and thin. Jesus said he is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. When we receive Holy Communion, we receive Christ - which means the Eucharist is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. This is the way we follow Him who is the way.