The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Am I the Exception to God's Rule? Jan 17, 2019

Show notes

God has his commandments and everything, but aren’t there times when there are exceptions to God’s rule?

It’s a trick we’ve all tried to pull. When a particular sin is too hard for us to avoid, we say to God—or perhaps a priest—something like, “I know the Church says don’t do this thing, but in my case it’s different.”

In my case, there are obstacles that make avoiding the sin impossible. In my case, I think doing that thing is justified because of xyz, in my case … etcetera.

This is what Fr. Mike calls exceptionism (not to be confused with exceptionalism).

Exceptionism, Fr. Mike says, is the belief that God will make an exception for you when it comes to his judgment of a certain sin. There’s a reason why we say justice is blind, and our God is the God of justice.

He will always be merciful to the contrite heart, but—contrary to what many people believe today—he doesn’t make exceptions to the law he gave us.

Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

Why is it a Mortal Sin? Skipping Mass and Communion without Confession Jan 10, 2019

Show notes

Why is skipping mass a mortal sin? And when we do go to mass, why do we need to receive communion in a state of grace?

It’s tempting to believe we can love God in whatever way suits us, but that’s not how love works. The way we express our love for God is through obedience and worship. Fr. Mike speaks a harsh truth when he says, “If you love God on your own terms, you don’t love God, you love yourself.”

In the first of two explanations, Fr. Mike explains that going to Mass on Sunday is our weekly chance to prove our love for God.

Fr. Mike’s second lesson in this video addresses the issue of receiving Communion in the state of mortal sin, which follows the logic of the first lesson above.

Communion with God is only possible once we have been reconciled with God and his Church. Both Christ and St. Paul make this clear:

“So if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:23-24).

“Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 11:27).

Fr. Mike briefly addresses what sin is, and directs his viewers to this previous episode of his wherein he addresses the topic more thoroughly: What is Sin?

Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

Data-Driven Discernment Jan 03, 2019

Show notes

Who would have thought algebra and data could be the key to discernment?

Fr. Mike explains that the discernment journey isn’t always about having this epiphany moment where your life’s purpose immediately becomes clear to you.

Figuring out what God’s will is for you sometimes requires a step-by-step process where you gather data, so you can come closer to the answer you’re looking for.

That’s how Fr. Mike found his vocation as a priest.

It required a lot prayer, time in adoration, talking with others, and visits to seminaries. Only once he gathered enough data to be able to “solve for x” was he certain that the priesthood was the right choice.

Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

A Fr. Mike Christmas Special Dec 27, 2018

Show notes

Fr. Mike explains why "It's a Wonderful Life" is his favorite Christmas movie and how it can help us understand the importance of duty and love. Spoiler Alert

"It's a Wonderful Life" is a classic, but there's a theme carried through the movie that is rarely discussed—the role of duty.

If you lived a life without responsibilities, you would be living a life without relationships.

In "It's a Wonderful Life," George Bailey's life is driven by duty, but it's transformed by the love he finds in his relationships with others.

Hopefully, our life is driven by a sense of duty towards God, but we need to remember that our lives are transformed by the love of God.

This Christmas, remember that your life has meaning, your life carries with it important duties, and that God, who has not forgotten you, will transform your life.

Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

Do All Good People go to Heaven? Dec 20, 2018

Show notes

Good people go to heaven when they die, right? Well, according to the Gospels, not exactly. Fr. Mike Schmitz points to at least four things Christ says we need for salvation:

Baptism (John 3)
The Eucharist (John 6)
Faith (Romans 10:9)
Doing the Father’s will (Matthew 25:31-46)

None of them are “be a good person”; and it’s probably better that way because, especially today, everyone has a different idea of what is good.

Christ has given us everything we need to achieve salvation. He wants us all to be at his wedding feast, including you; but unless you do what is necessary to get to the wedding, you won’t be there.

Considering what Fr. Mike is saying, these words of Christ make much more sense:

“Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matthew 7:13-14).

Fr. Mike quotes the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 847. Below is the paragraph in full:

"This affirmation is not aimed at those who, through no fault of their own, do not know Christ and his Church:

Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation."

Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

Why We Say 'Memento Mori' Dec 13, 2018

Show notes

You may have heard the phrase memento mori (remember your death)—especially if you hang out with those strange Catholics—but did you know there are three meanings woven into those two words?

Sure, the immediate thought that comes to mind may be the fact that someday we will die; and this is good to remember because that day could be any day, so we should live accordingly.

What people may not recognize, though, is that memento mori could also be a reminder to the Christian that we have died to ourselves, so that we may gain eternal life in Christ.

As St. Paul says, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). The life you live is not your own. Remember, as a Christian you have died to yourself. Entering your day with that in mind may be difficult if you want to live for yourself, but it could also be liberating if we give everything to God.

Thirdly, it is good to “remember your death” because it is a reminder of the joy that will come when we live with Christ for eternity. Remembering our death in that way can fill us with the strongest kind of hope.

Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

What Does it Mean to Be Blessed? Dec 06, 2018

Show notes

To be blessed means to holy, and to be holy means to be set apart for God.

Fr. Mike reminds us of our calling to be holy, because, as Christians, we have been blessed by Baptism.

Being set apart doesn't mean to be physically separated from everything else. It means that something is dedicated to fulfilling God's purpose.

For example, if you've ever gotten your throat blessed during the feast of St. Blasie, then your throat is set apart for the purposes of God. That means when you use your voice to say something untrue or mean, you're violating the purpose of your voice, because it has been dedicated to God's will.

So, be blessed.

Make God’s will present in the world through your presence.

Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

The Heart of Sin Nov 29, 2018

Show notes

A sin is not simply breaking the rules. It’s when we say in our hearts, “God, I know what you want and I don’t care. I want what I want.”

Fr. Mike makes it abundantly clear that sin is defiance toward God—usually in favor of self-interest.

So often, when Catholics talk about sin people see our sense of morality as a set of rules that we arbitrarily follow. Those who criticize the Church’s moral teachings often accuse Catholics of misinterpreting Christ’s words when they are the ones who are twisting his words, while failing to recognize how our relationship with God is in the balance.

Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

Giving Thanks is Necessary Nov 22, 2018

Show notes

Fr. Mike says giving thanks is not only good and polite. It’s not just a thoughtful gesture. Giving thanks is necessary.

We begin Mass by saying “It is right and just” to give God thanks. Not only that, the priest continues by saying:

“It is our duty and salvation always and everywhere to give you thanks.”

Our duty and our salvation.

We proclaim this every week, and giving thanks is a huge part of the Mass (the very word Eucharist means to give thanks). But do we mean it?

Do we give proper thanks to God for the miraculous gifts he has given us to enjoy every day? Our health, sight, hearing, even simply having someone who cares about you, all of these things are blessings we should thank God for because there are many who do not enjoy them.

Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

Is it Ever OK to Deny Christ? Nov 15, 2018

Show notes

Fr. Mike answers some hard questions from his #askfrmike inquirers, starting with a question about the controversial book and movie, “Silence”, wherein two renowned Portuguese priests travel to Japan and deny Christ to prevent the suffering of their parishioners. After telling the story, Fr. Mike says if we ever were placed in such a dire situation, the question would not be “What should I do?” but rather, “What is the right thing to do?” Fr. Mike clarifies, “To deny Jesus will always be the wrong thing to do.” Blaming someone for not denying Jesus, and thereby not preventing suffering, is a red herring because it distracts people from the ones truly causing the suffering, the actual torturers.

Answering another question from his viewers, Fr. Mike addresses the need to keep a healthy balance between caring for our bodies and caring for our souls. That means putting prayer and time with Jesus before working out.

Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected