Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz

Homily from the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. You can only share what you have. Holy moments are shared moments. We share like Jesus (and make moments holy) when we are generous and honest. Mass Readings from February 4, 2024:: Job 7:1-4, 6-7 Psalms 147:1-61 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23 Mark 1:29-39

Homily from the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The Holy Moment is the present moment. When we live lives of distraction we cannot live lives of wonder or joy or holiness. Distraction steals life away because it takes us away from the present moment. And the present moment is the only moment that has the potential to be a holy moment. Mass Readings from January 28, 2024: Deuteronomy 18:15-20 Psalms 95:1-2, 6-91 Corinthians 7:32-35 Mark 1:21-28

Homily from the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. Holy moments are ordinary moments reconsidered. An ordinary life is not an obstacle to a holy life. In fact, every extraordinary life is made up of ordinary moments that we choose to make into holy moments. Mass Readings from January 21, 2024: Jonah 3:1-5, 10 Psalms 25:4-91 Corinthians 7:29-31 Mark 1:14-20

Homily from the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time. God has a claim on your life...and God has a call for your life. We can often be hesitant to make decisions in life. Not only because we do not want to make the wrong decision, but also because we want to make the best decision. But the point of life is not merely to optimize our happiness. We experience a new freedom and meaning when we realize that our lives are not our own...and we live to respond to God's call. Mass Readings from January 14, 2024: 1 Samuel 3:3-10, 19 Psalms 40:2, 4, 7-101 Corinthians 6:13-15, 17-20John 1:35-42

Homily from the Epiphany of the Lord. We give God our best, our heart, and what He has asked for. As we know, the heart of religion is worship. But we need to put our hearts into worship. We give God our best, our heart, and what God has asked for. Not because He needs anything, but because it is right and just. Mass Readings from January 7, 2024: Isaiah 60:1-6 Psalms 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6 Matthew 2:1-12

Homily from the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph The Holy Family was holy, but not without struggles. Jesus entered into this broken world by entering into the reality that all of us have experienced: family life. He did not insulate Himself from the harsh realities of life by embracing a life of wealth. Rather, all He had was borrowed. Mass Readings from December 31, 2023: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 Psalms 128:1-5Colossians 3:12-21 Luke

Homily from the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas). The reality is that God is not a professional. He is an amateur. There are many things in life where we merely like the "idea" of that thing. The reality is another story, because the reality makes demands on us. Christmas is a reminder that we not only cannot love the "idea" of God, but that He does not merely love the idea of us. Mass Readings from December 25, 2023: Isaiah 52:7-10 Psalms 98:1-6.Hebrews 1:1-6 John 1:1-18

Homily from the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Whatever You ask of me, the answer is yes. One of the more challenging reminders of this series is that God is the point of all of this. He is not only the Main Character, but this is also His Story. Nonetheless, we have been given a role; we have been created and redeemed in order to play our part. Mass Readings from December 24, 2023: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16 Psalms 89:2-5, 27, 29Romans 16:25-27 Luke 1:26-38

Homily from the Third Sunday of Advent. We won't be able to rejoice, pray, or give thanks always unless we rejoice, pray, and give thanks now. Main Character syndrome can lead us to believe that we are in control. But there are many circumstances that are out of our control. We can often only control how we respond to our circumstances. As Christians, we choose to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances. Mass Readings from December 17, 2023: Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11 Luke 1:46-50, 53-541 Thessalonians 5:16-24 John 1:6-8, 19-28

Homily from the Second Sunday of Advent. Perfectionism can move us from caring to quitting. Spiritual perfectionism can lead people who care about the Faith and who love God to a place of harshness and hurry so much that they just want to give up. But the Gospel reminds us that God is gentle and patient. Mass Readings from December 10, 2023: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11 Psalms 85:9-142 Peter 3:8-14 Mark 1:1-8

Homily from the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mary was preserved from sin by the merits of her Son's life, death, and resurrection. The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is a testament to God's goodness. He gives what we need for the mission to which we have been called. And He calls all of us to enter into deeper relationship with the Family of God by cultivating a relationship with Mary, the Mother of God. Mass Readings from December 8, 2023: Genesis 3:9-15, 20 Psalms 98:1-4Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12 Luke 1:26-38

Homily from the First Sunday of Advent. You are God. I am not. When we encounter the true and living God, there is only one response...it involves six little words, but makes a world of difference. Mass Readings from December 3, 2023: Isaiah 63:16-17, 19; 64:2-7 Psalms 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-191 Corinthians 1:3-9 Mark 13:33-37

Homily from the Solemnity of Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. Your part of the story (Act IV) remains unwritten. Jesus has bridged the unbridgable gap between God and humanity. We can believe that and remain unchanged. But if we are willing to respond, we can write the final act of the story. We can place ourselves under the Lordship of Christ and live an entirely new life. Mass Readings from November 26, 2023: Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17 Psalms 23:1-3, 5-61 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28 Matthew 25:31-46

Homily from the Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time. It could have been otherwise. We have been created good by the good God. But we have been captured by sin, death, and slavery. In Jesus, God has rescued us and transferred us into His Kingdom…His family. Mass Readings from November 19, 2023: Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31 Psalms 128:1-51 Thessalonians 5:1-6 Matthew 25:14-30

To join in the mission of bulldogCatholic through this year's Give to the Max campaign, please donate here: https://www.givemn.org/organization/Newman-Catholic-Campus-Ministries-At-Umd Homily from the Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time. There's good news and there's bad news. We have heard the first part (Act One) of the Good News. But before we can move forward, we need to be aware of and understand why things are so broken. Before anything else, we need the bad news. Mass Readings from November 12, 2023: Wisdom 6:12-16 Psalms 63:2-81 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Matthew 25:1-13

To join in the mission of bulldogCatholic through this year's Give to the Max campaign, please donate here: https://www.givemn.org/organization/Newman-Catholic-Campus-Ministries-At-Umd Homily from the Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time. Am I basing my life on the gospel of the world or the Gospel of God? We are surrounded by stories. Stories that try to make sense of the world. But not every story is true. In fact, there are many stories that are false. We are called to base our lives on the true story… The story of the Gospel of God. Mass Readings from November 5, 2023: Malachi 1:14-2:2, 8-10 Psalms 131:1-31 Thessalonians 2:7-9, 13 Matthew 23:1-12

Homily from the Solemnity of All Saints. One day, this day could be your feast day. The Feast of All Saints is offered to us as a day to praise God for all of the unnamed and unknown saints who have run the race well and have entered into the glorious and unadulterated Presence of the true and living God. Mass Readings from November 1, 2023}: Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14 Psalms 24:1-61 John 3:1-3 Matthew 5:1-12

Homily from the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time. You are called to be love. When a person is lost, they need to know where they are. We know: you are here. But we also need to know where we are going and how to get there. We know that as well: we are called to be saints and the way is love. Mass Readings from October 29, 2023: Exodus 22:20-26 Psalms 18:2-3, 3-4, 47, 511 Thessalonians 1:5-10 Matthew 22:34-40

Homily from the Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Between the Promise and the Promised Land. When a person is lost, it can feel like every step is taking them further and further away from where they need to be. But with Christ, we trust in the promise that we are not lost, but led...and that every step is taking us closer to where and who we need to be. Mass Readings from October 22, 2023: Isaiah 45:1, 4-6 Psalms 96:1, 3-5, 7-101 Thessalonians 1:1-5 Matthew 22:15-21

Homily from the Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time. This is life. We need to understand that life is not waiting for us to start. This is life. This is your life. You are here. But we do have to ask the questions: should I be here? And is what God wants for me enough for me? Mass Readings from October 15, 2023: Isaiah 25:6-10 Psalms 23:1-6Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20 Matthew 22:1-14

Homily from the Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. What if? Or What is? Not knowing where we are, where we are going, or how to get there can be incredibly daunting. It can bring us to a place of worry and anxiety. We can be tempted to avoid the uncertainty and discomfort of the journey. By focusing on God's presence and blessings, we can have the courage to move. Mass Readings from October 8, 2023: Isaiah 5:1-7 Psalms 80:9, 12-16, 19-20Philippians 4:6-9 Matthew 21:33-43

Homily from the Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The freedom to love when you no longer feel like it. The precondition for love is freedom. Both the freedom to say no and the freedom to say yes, regardless of passing moods or circumstances. Tough love is willing to choose the good because God asked us to and because we said we would. Mass Readings from October 1, 2023: Ezekiel 18:25-28 Psalms 25:4-9Phillipians 2:1-11 Matthew 21:28-32

Homily from the Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. We choose our rivals. We are all confronted with the temptation towards resentment, when we see the blessings or gifts that others have. This temptation towards envy can be overcome when we choose to receive the gifts we’ve been given with gratitude, and choose to rejoice in the gift of others. Mass Readings from September 24, 2023: Isaiah 55:6-9 Psalms 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18Philippians 1:20c-24, 27a Matthew 20:1-16a

Homily from the Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Forgiveness is a decision. One of the most difficult commands that Jesus has called us to is that we must forgive those who have hurt us and who have hurt those we love. Loving like this is difficult. It is truly tough love that is willing to weigh up the hurt and release the offender from the debt that they owe. Mass Readings from September 17, 2023: Sirach 27:30—28:7 Psalms 103:1-4, 9-12Romans 14:7-9 Matthew 18:21-35

Homily from the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time Do I love enough to listen? Do I love enough to speak? In loving the people around us well, one thing we have to contend with is loving them well in our words. We avoid all unnecessary negatives, love enough to listen, and love enough to speak.Mass Readings from September 10, 2023:Ezekiel 33:7-9Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9Romans 13:8-10 Matthew 18:15-20

Homily from the Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time "No" paves the way for "yes". Jesus gives us the conditions for discipleship. We must deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. But what does it really mean to deny ourself? And how can this giant "no" pave the way for an even greater "yes"?Mass Readings from September 3, 2023:Jeremiah 20:7-9Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9Romans 12:1-2 Matthew 16:21-27

Homily from the Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time There are some questions that only you can answer. In the Gospel today, Jesus asks two questions. But there is a third unspoken question that needs to be asked and answered first: Who does Jesus say that He is? This question (and answer) will determine everything for the rest of our lives. Mass Readings from August 27, 2023:Isaiah 22:19-23Psalm 138:1-2, 2-3, 6, 8Romans 11:33-36 Matthew 16:13-20

Homily from the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Knowledge without action is useless. Too often, our problem as followers of Christ is not a lack of knowledge, but a lack of courage. In order for us to live the lives Jesus has made possible by his grace, we do not need to know more. We need to be brave enough to act on what we know.Mass Readings from August 20, 2023:Isaiah 56:1, 6-7Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8Romans 11:13-15, 29-32 Matthew 15:21-28

Homily from the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mary is the New Ark of the New Covenant. It is fitting that Mary was assumed into Heaven since she is the fulfillment of the Ark in the Old Covenant.Mass Readings from August 15, 2023:Revelation 11:19A; 12:1-6A, 10ABPsalm 45:10, 11, 12, 161 Corinthians 15:20-27 Luke 1:39-56

Homily from the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time A distraction issue or a decision issue? In order to achieve any worthwhile goal, we need to focus. Yet, distractions abound in our world and in ourselves. A distraction is anything that takes our focus away from what we need to be doing. But in order to know what a distraction is, we first have to know what it is we need to be doing.Mass Readings from August 13, 2023:1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13aPsalm 85:9, 10, 11-12, 13-14Romans 9:1-5 Matthew 14:22-33

Homily from the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord Claimed. Respected. Trusted. Jesus Transfigured on the top of Mount Tabor precedes His journey to Mount Calvary. On Tabor, He is not merely transfigured...He is Claimed, Respected, and Trusted as the beloved Son. We too need the Father's voice to voice His claim over us, His respecting us, and His entrusting a mission to us.Mass Readings from August 6, 2023:Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 92 Peter 1:16-19 Matthew 17:1-9

Homily from the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Observe. Orient. Decide. Act. When we are faced with the challenges and obstacles of following Christ, it is easy to become overwhelmed. But we do not have to solve all of the potential issues. We are simply called to face this problem and take the next step.Mass Readings from July 30, 2023:1 Kings 3:5, 7-12Psalm 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130Romans 8:28-30 Matthew 13:44-52

Homily from the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time The enemy can't win, he just wants you to lose. The Church has been established by Jesus Christ Himself. And yet, the Church has sinners and sin within Her ranks. The enemy of God and humanity has done this. We need to be aware of sin in the Church and sin in our own hearts. If we stay awake and alert, we can guard against sin in the Church and in our lives.Mass Readings from July 23, 2023:Wisdom 12:13, 16-19Psalm 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16Romans 8:26-27 Matthew 13:24-43

Homily from the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time We may want to run, but things get in the way. God provides the grace that we need to be able to grow as fully and freely as possible. But life is full of obstacles that make this growth a challenge. With God's grace, we can be prepared for these battles.Mass Readings from July 16, 2023:Isaiah 55:10-11Psalm 65:10, 11, 12-13, 14Romans 8:18-23 Matthew 13:1-23

Homily from the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time "Hurry is the greatest threat to the spiritual life and the way of Jesus." We constantly experience the temptation to "max out" our lives by racing from event to event, task to task. The goal of life is union with God and anything that takes us away from this goal is a major threat to this goal...including hurry.Mass Readings from July 9, 2023:Zechariah 9:9-10Psalm 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13-14Romans 8:9, 11-13 Matthew 11:25-30

Homily from the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Just one more thing that could go wrong. To protect one's heart is the safest way to live. But since we are made in God's image and likeness, we are made for love. Without love, we remain safe...but we remain incomprehensible to ourselves. To love is to be vulnerable...it is to risk. To receive the gift means we must be open to grief.Mass Readings from July 2, 2023:2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16aPsalm 89:2-3, 16-17, 18-19Romans 6:3-4, 8-11 Matthew 10:37-42

Homily from the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. We must cultivate the fear of the Lord in our lives. If we do not, then we will have only a partial vision of who God truly is. If we do not cultivate the fear of the Lord, then we will never have the proper relationship with God that we are made for.Mass Readings from June 25, 2023:Jeremiah 20:10-13Psalm 69:8-10, 14, 17, 33-35Romans 5:12-15 Matthew 10:26-33

Homily from the Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Competent generosity is the key for healthy masculinity. Jesus prays that His Church is never without shepherds. This world and His Church is in need of leaders, of shepherds, and of fathers. While we will always need women and mothers, we stand in particular need of fathers at this moment in history. We need both: strong and generous men and women to place their strength at the service of the people around them.Mass Readings from June 18, 2023:Exodus 19:2-6aPsalm 100:1-2, 3, 5Romans 5:6-11 Matthew 9:36—10:8

Homily from the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (Feast of Corpus Christi) Love is the best thing in this world. We are made for love. God is love. We are therefore made for God. And God comes to us in love in the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus Christ at every Mass. Mass Readings from June 11, 2023:Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14b-16aPsalm 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-201 Corinthians 10:16-17 John 6:51-58

Homily from the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity God, you get to tell me who You are. We have been made in the image of God. The common temptation that we all face is to re-make God in our own image. We can be drawn to the idea that we can simply worship the God whom we prefer rather than the God who has revealed Himself. Mass Readings from June 4, 2023:Exodus 34:4b-6, 8-9Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 562 Corinthians 13:11-13 John 3:16-18

Homily from Pentecost Sunday I do not want what Jesus has done in me to stop with me. Jesus has accomplished the Father's will in offering Himself on the Cross. He has further sent the Holy Spirit for the salvation of the world. God has done something incredible in the life of each Christian. And He sends us out into the world so that what He has done in us continues to be done in those close to us. Mass Readings from May 28, 2023:Acts 2:1-11Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 341 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13 John 20:19-23

Homily from the The Ascension of the Lord Approach the Lord with open hearts. It has been said that "10,000 difficulties do not make one single doubt". When we approach God, we can be tempted to hesitate. We need to be able to ask the questions that need to be answered. This asking is not the same thing as doubting.Mass Readings from May 21, 2023Acts 1:1-11Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9Ephesians 1:17-23 Matthew 28:16-20

Homily from the Sixth Sunday of Easter Jesus is the Lord. Is He my Lord? Saint Peter tells us to be prepared to give a reason for our hope. We need to be ready to give an explanation for the truth that Jesus is the source of hope. We also need to be ready to give a reason for our personal hope in Jesus.Mass Readings from May 14, 2023:Acts 8:5-8, 14-17Psalm 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 201 Peter 3:15-18 John 14:15-21

Homily from the Fifth Sunday of Easter The Temple is the place of sacrifice. Peter notes that we are built into a spiritual house. We know what kind of building it is based on the purpose of the building. And the purpose of the Temple is to be the Presence of God and the place of worship and sacrifice. If we are temples of the Holy Spirit, then this is true for us as well. Mass Readings from May 7, 2023:Acts 6:1-7Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-191 Peter 2:4-9 John 14:1-12

Homily from the Fourth Sunday of Easter Sometimes love is just showing up. At the twilight of our lives, we will be judged on love alone. And to love is to give. Love almost always involves sacrifice. Because there is no present like the time. Mass Readings from April 30, 2023:Acts 2:14a, 36-41Psalm 23: 1-3a, 3b4, 5, 61 Peter 2:20b-25 John 10:1-10

Homily from the Third Sunday of Easter Christian hope does not trust that all will be well if I get what I want, but that all will be well even when I don't. Sometimes the hardest part of the race is the last lap...and sometimes the hardest part of the race is the second to last lap. When the finish line is so far off that you can't see the end. In those moments, when all seems lost, hope declares that God can bring life out of death.Mass Readings from April 23, 2023:Acts 2:14, 22-33Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 111 Peter 1:17-21 Luke 24:13-35

Homily from Divine Mercy Sunday It is of no use to say "I believe in Jesus" and then go back to life as usual. Faith is at the heart of our relationship with God. But our faith cannot simply be what we agree with or a mere belief. Our faith must move, act, and work. Like the early disciples, we must devote our lives to a "life of faith". Mass Readings from April 16, 2023:Acts 2:42-47Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-241 Peter 1:3-9 John 20:19-31

Homily from The Resurrection of the Lord I believe in the resurrection of the flesh. Just as Jesus Christ conquered death by dying and gave us life by rising from the dead, every person will get their body back. Those who are lost will have the bodies in Hell, and those who are saved will have their glorified bodies in Heaven. What will those bodies be like?Mass Readings from April 9, 2023:Acts 10:34a, 37-43Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8 John 20:1-9

Homily from Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion I am guilty. And I am loved. When we are falsely accused, we can often be tempted to defend ourselves or justify ourselves. This makes sense, since we want the truth to be known. But we must not fool ourselves into convincing ourselves that we are innocent. Christ came to save sinners. That means, if I am not a sinner—if I am not guilty—then Christ did not come to save me. But I am guilty...and He did come for me. And for you.Readings from April 7, 2023:Isaiah 52:13—53:12Psalm 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-16, 17, 25Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 John 18:1—19:42

Homily from Holy Thursday The only gifts the first priests had to offer the world was what God had given them. Holy Thursday marks the beginning of the final stages of Christ's Passion. But it also marks the institution of the Eucharist and the Priesthood.Mass Readings from April 6, 2023:Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14Psalm 116:12-13, 15-16bc, 17-181 Corinthians 11:23-26 John 13:1-15