Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz

Latest Episodes:

03/31/19 Behind Enemy Lines: Let Go...and Come Inside Apr 01, 2019

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Homily from the Fourth Sunday of Lent.

We have different experiences, but the same enemy.

While all of us struggle with different sins and temptations, we all ultimately have the same enemy: pride. Pride is a chameleon and can disguise itself in many different ways. Ultimately, pride will work to keep you holding onto something other than God and to remain outside the Father’s house. Telling the truth…and hearing the Father’s voice…is the way to let go of what we cling to and come inside.

Mass Readings from March 31, 2019: Joshua 5:9-12 Psalms 34:2-72 Corinthians 5:17-21

Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

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03/24/19 Behind Enemy Lines: Trust God...and Fight Mar 25, 2019

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Homily from the Third Sunday of Lent.

Trained in trust...strengthened through struggle.

God has freely given so much to us…and we are grateful. But why do we still experience the consequences of slavery? God gives us the chance to grow in trust of Him and His love…and He allows us to grow stronger in our ability to walk as His children.

Mass Readings from March 24, 2019: Exodus 3:1-8, 13-15 Psalms 103: 1-4, 6-8, 111 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12

Luke 13:1-9

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03/17/19 Behind Enemy Lines: My Own Worst Enemy Mar 18, 2019

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Homily from the Second Sunday of Lent.

You have to know yourself to say no to yourself.

We are in a battle, but our primary enemy is closer than we might like to imagine. In order to gain true freedom and victory, we have to know this enemy and know when to say no to them.

Mass Readings from March 17, 2019: Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18 Psalms 27:1, 7-8, 8-9, 13-14Philippians 3:17-4:1

Luke 9:28-36

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03/06/19 Behind Enemy Lines: Isolated and Disoriented Mar 07, 2019

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Homily from Ash Wednesday.

You are in a fight; what comes next?

For many of us, our default assumption about life is: it’s fine. Even when things are obviously broken, we can pretend that they will “fix themselves.” But Lent reminds us that we are in a battle that won’t be won unless we are ready to engage the enemy who will attack us like our Lord was attacked in the wilderness...behind enemy lines.

Mass Readings from March 6, 2019: Joel 2:12-18 Psalms 51:3-6, 12-14Corinthians 5:20—6:2

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

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03/03/19 Talking and Trials Mar 04, 2019

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Homily from the Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

What reveals the heart.

We often are a mystery...even to ourselves. But Christians must come to a place of self-knowledge so we can present our true self to the true God.

Mass Readings from March 3, 2019: Sirach 27:4-7 Psalms 92:2-3, 13-161 Corinthians 15:54-58

Luke 6:39-45

02/24/19 Love Yourself Feb 25, 2019

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Homily from the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time.

You are loved most when you deserve it the least.

Jesus calls us to love our enemies. But how can we do that when we don’t even love the people we like? When we often don’t effectively love ourselves?

Mass Readings from February 24, 2019: 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23 Psalms 103:1-2, 3-4, 8, 10, 12-131 Corinthians 15:45-49

Luke 6:27-38

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02/17/19 The Fighting Virtue Feb 18, 2019

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Homily from the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Willing to engage and embrace the realities of life.

Hope is not a “soft” virtue. It is a fighting virtue. Hope is what enables us to live in the present with strength and conviction. It takes hope to take action.

Mass Readings from February 17, 2019: Jeremiah 17:5-8 Psalms 1:1-4, 61 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20

Luke 6:17, 20-26

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02/10/19 Disqualified: Unfit Feb 11, 2019

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Homily from the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

God is able to make you holy even if He never makes you whole.

There are some things in our lives (our decisions, our wounds, our weaknesses) that we wish and pray were gone. God calls you and I in our weakness; He doesn’t necessarily call us out of our weakness.

Mass Readings from February 10, 2019: Isaiah 6:1-2, 3-8 Psalms 138:1-5, 7-81 Corinthians 15:1-11

Luke 5:1-11

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02/03/19 Disqualified: Remarkably Average Feb 04, 2019

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Homily from the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Being unqualified does not disqualify when God calls.

There are many people who would look remarkably average on paper. Our stats would reveal that we are unqualified for being a part of God’s great work. But the Lord calls us to the greatest of these: love.

Mass Readings from February 3, 2019: Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19 Psalms 71:1-6, 15-171 Corinthians 12:31-13:13

Luke 4:21-30