Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz

Homily from Holy Thursday, the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper. God speaks your true name: "Mine." Our name is our identity. Christ has covered our given name with His blood. And now we have a new name: we are “His.” Mass Readings from April 9, 2020: Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14 Psalms 116:12-13, 15-181 Corinthians 11:23-26 John 13:1-15

Homily from Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion. Jesus has not removed suffering from our lives, He has redeemed the suffering in our lives. Jesus accomplished the Father’s will in His passion, death, and resurrection. His mission of salvation is “finished.” And yet, Christ’s Body on earth still lives out the mission of Her Head: we are called to unite our sufferings to His for the salvation of the world. And this work — the work He has entrusted to us — remains unfinished. Mass Readings from April 5, 2020: Isaiah 50:4-7 Psalms 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24Philippians 2:6-11 Matthew 26:14-27:66 Download the Homily Study

Homily from the Fifth Sunday of Lent. Jesus is the God of the Broken Heart. Suffering, sickness, and death are devastating. But nothing is worse than losing one’s heart. A broken heart is still home in Jesus’ Heart. Mass Readings from March 29, 2020: Ezekiel 37:12-14Psalms 130:1-8Romans 8:8-11 John 11:1-45 Download the Homily Study

Homily from the Fourth Sunday of Lent. Real suffering in this world reveals the deeper part of us that has come undone. God made this world good, but He did not make it unbreakable. This world has come undone, and our sickness and suffering reveals the deeper ways our hearts have come undone. Mass Readings from March 22, 2020: 1 Samuel 16:1, 6-7, 10-13 Psalms 23: 1-6Ephesians 5:8-14 John 9:1-41 Download the Homily Study

Homily from the Third Sunday of Lent. You are not fine. You don't have to be. We live in a world that has come undone with hearts and relationships that have come undone. Jesus comes to that wound to undo what has been undone. Mass Readings from March 15, 2020: Exodus 17:3-7 Psalms 95:1-2, 6-9Romans 5:1-2, 5-8 John 4:5-42 Download the Homily Study

Homily from the First Sunday of Lent. The decision that broke the world. This world is not perfect. And we are not perfect. But imperfect does not mean unloved. Mass Readings from March 1, 2020: Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7 Psalms 51:3-6, 12-13, 17Romans 5:12-19 Matthew 4:1-11 Download the Homily Study

Homily from Ash Wednesday. Your Father sees you. Your Father hears you. We all desire to be heard and seen...to know we matter. Jesus reveals that even your actions in secret are known by the Father and they matter to Him. Mass Readings from February 26, 2020: Joel 2:12-18 Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6, 12-14, 172 Corinthians 5:20-6:2 Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Homily from the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. If we are going to love like Jesus, we must love differently…we must love defiantly. The Universe is indifferent to us. People can be vicious to us. The Christian’s response is not indifference nor viciousness. The Christian response is to love in the face of indifference and evil. Mass Readings from February 23, 2020: Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18 Psalms 103:1-4, 8, 10, 12-131 Corinthians 3:16-23 Matthew 5:38-48 See the Picture of Saint Maria Goretti

Homily from the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. God wants you to have a heart like His. The Sermon on the Mount reveals the truth about our hearts: we need the Law. But God wants us to be free from the Law. Not by abolishing the Law, but by making our hearts like His. We can let Him do this by taking responsibility, taking action, and taking hold of the strength He offers. Mass Readings from February 16, 2020: Sirach 15:15-20 Psalms 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-341 Corinthians 2:6-10 Matthew 5:17-37

Homily from the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Refuse to live as salt and light, and the Father remains unknown, unloved, and unglorified. God trusts us with being His representatives in this world. He has made us His and He has made us good. But to what end? God has made us good for a purpose. Do we live in such a way that we have been made good for nothing? Mass Readings from February 9, 2020: Isaiah 58:7-10 Psalms 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-91 Corinthians 2:1-5 Matthew 5:13-16 Download the Homily Study

Homily from the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Unimpressive does not mean unimportant. Most of life is made up of unimpressive moments and unimpressive seasons. If we are constantly waiting for the next “peak moment“ we will miss out on most of life…and also most peak moments. Mass Readings from February 2, 2020: Malachi 3:1-4 Psalms 24:7-10Hebrews 2:14-18 Luke 2:22-40 Download the Homily Study

Homily from the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. Do not underestimate what God is doing when it seems like God is doing nothing. There are seasons of silence, and hiddenness, and brokenness in all of our lives. These times are not just useful, they are necessary for us to become the kind of people God needs us to be. Mass Readings from January 26, 2020: Isaiah 8:23-9:3 Psalms 27:1, 4, 13-141 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17 Matthew 4:12-23 Download the Homily Study

Homily from the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time. The single unifying principle unites all of the various threads of our life into one whole image. It is “too little” to remain who you are instead of becoming who God needs you to be. Mass Readings from January 19, 2020: Isaiah 49:3, 5-6 Psalms 40:2, 4, 7-101 Corinthians 1:1-3 John 1:29-34 Download the Homily Study

Homily from the Nativity of the Lord. God will always fulfill His promises. Is that enough? We know that God is faithful because He has fulfilled what He has promised. But He does not need to do what He has not promised to do. Mass Readings from December 25, 2019: Isaiah 52:7-10 Psalms 98:1-6Hebrews 1:1-6 John 1:1-18

Homily from the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Emmanuel. God is working with us to save the world. God does not need us. But He has demonstrated that He does not want to heal, transform, or save the world without our help. He only needs us to be the kind of people who are willing and able. Mass Readings from December 22, 2019: Isaiah 7:10-14 Psalms 24:1-6Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-24

Homily from the Second Sunday of Advent. To be gripped by God is not supposed to be comfortable. The Prophet says that the great gift of the Spirit is the fear of the Lord. But what is it? Mass Readings from December 8, 2019: Isaiah 11:1-10 Psalms 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17Romans 15:4-9 Matthew 3:1-12

Homily from the First Sunday of Advent. We do not know when, but we do know what. Goodbyes can be painful. But what makes goodbyes even more painful is when we are not ready for the leaving or letting go. The goodness of the goodbye comes down to what we do with the time before goodbye. Mass Readings from December 1, 2019: Isaiah 4:2-6 Psalms 122:1-9Romans 13:11-14 Matthew 24:37-44

Homily from the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. Jesus loves you and He hasn’t forgotten you. It is easy to feel forgotten and forsaken…even by God. But God notices, loves, and remembers you. Mass Readings from November 24, 2019: 2 Samuel 5:1-3 Psalms 122:1-5Colossians 1:12-20 Luke 23:35-43 Download the Homily Study

Homily from the Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time. If comparison is a thief of joy, then we have to learn how to steal it back. In the battle to escape the comparison trap, we can become invincible to bad comparison by actively looking for the blessings, giving thanks, and inviting others into celebrating them. Because there are some things worth celebrating. Mass Readings from November 17, 2019: Malachi 3:19-20 Psalms 98:5-92 Thessalonians 3:7-12 Luke 21:5-19 Download the Homily Study

Homily from the Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time. No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. We will continue walking through this world in which people are better than us. How can we become invincible to comparison? Mass Readings from November 10, 2019: 2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14 Psalms 17:1, 5-6, 8, 152 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5 Luke 20:27-38 Download the Homily Study

Homily from the Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time. What makes them so great? What makes me so awful? When someone else being honored or loved more than we are meets our insecurity, we are tempted to tell stories…about them and about ourselves. But when we know who we are and are grateful for what we have, we have security. And comparison is powerless. Mass Readings from November 3, 2019: Wisdom 11:22-12:2 Psalms 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13, 142 Thessalonians 1:11-2:2 Luke 19:1-10 Download the Homily Study

Homily from the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time. In a life of comparison, every person is a potential threat. Comparison is the desire to be “more” than another. At the heart of that desire is fear. Vulnerability breaks through that fear.Mass Readings from Mass Readings from October 27, 2019:</ Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18 Psalms 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 232 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 Luke 18:9-14 Download the Homily Study

Homily from the Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Often, the next hardest step is the next step. Continuing to walk in the midst of failure, rejection, and imperfection is a sign of a great life. In your life, you will take hundreds of first steps. Mass Readings from October 20, 2019: Ezekiel 17:8-13 Luke 18:1-82 Timothy 3:14-4:2 Mark 10:2-16 Download the Homily Study

Homily from the Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time. You just have to start. The first step is the most difficult…but it is also the most important. Mass Readings from October 13, 2019: 2 Kings 5:14-17 Psalms 98:1-42 Timothy 2:8-13 Luke 17:11-19 Download the Homily Study

Homily from the Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. How do you know God loves you? How do you know you are saved? Answer: the sacraments. The saving work of Jesus was accomplished in His life, death, resurrection, and ascension. The saving work of Jesus meets our lives and transforms them through the tangible gifts of His love: the sacraments. Mass Readings from October 6, 2019: Habbakuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4 Psalms 95:1-2, 6-92 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14 Luke 17:5-10 Download the Homily Study

Homily from the Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Jesus took from us what was ours so He could give to us what is His. God’s grace is the cause of our salvation. God’s free gift is what gives us the power to even choose Him or choose to do good works. We do not merely “collect” or “receive” His grace, but we become active participants with Him. Mass Readings from September 29, 2019: Amos 6:1, 4-7 Psalms 146:7-101 Timothy 6:11-16 Luke 16:19-31 Download the Homily Study

Homily from the Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Jesus took from us what was ours so He could give to us what is His. When we come face to face with our sin, we realize that we owe a debt we cannot pay. When we come face to face with Jesus, we realize that He paid a debt He did not owe. This is the free gift that saves us from hopelessness: we are saved by grace through faith working itself out in love. Mass Readings from September 22, 2019: Amos 8:4-7 Psalms 113:1-2, 4-81 Timothy 2:1-8 Luke 16:1-13 Download the Homily Study

Homily from the Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Jesus saves us from being orphaned or abandoned. I was saved at my Baptism. I am being saved. I hope to be saved. The Father has adopted us in Christ. And He cannot take it back. But do we live as children of the Father? Mass Readings from September 15, 2019: Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14 Psalms 51:3-4, 12-13, 17, 191 Timothy 1:12-17 Luke 15:1-32 Download the Homily Study

Homily from the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time. Out of everything in life, Jesus has to be first. In our lives, we continually divide ourselves and divide our hearts by giving away our small “yesses”. Jesus calls us to experience freedom, joy, and clarity by giving Him our big “Yes” because He is the priority. Mass Readings from September 8, 2019: Wisdom 9:13-18 Psalms 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-14, 17Philemon 9-10, 12-17 Luke 14:25-33

Homily from the Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time. The high price of vanity. It is easy to think of vanity as nothing more than being conceited or overly concerned about one’s appearance. But the vice of vanity comes at a cost: A person could even find themselves living someone else’s life. Mass Readings from September 1, 2019: Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29 Psalms 68:4-5, 6-7, 10-11Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24 Luke 14:1, 7-14

Homily from the Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time. Discipline is the mark of the mature Christian. We have to do difficult things all of the time. Why do we do them? We do them because we hope. We have the confidence that what we do makes a difference. The hope that, even when discipline becomes difficult, the discipline makes a difference. Mass Readings from August 25, 2019: Isaiah 66:18-21 Psalms 117:1-2Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13 Luke 13:22-30

Homily from the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. A disciple is a decision-maker. Faith is more than belief. It “acts”. It can be seen. In fact, what we choose reveals our faith. And our decisions shape our lives, here on earth and in eternity. Mass Readings from August 11, 2019: Wisdom 18:6-9 Psalms 33:1, 12, 18-19, 20-22Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19 Luke 12:32-48

Homily from the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The Father has uttered His declaration; we are offered the chance to answer. All of Christianity comes down to one question: does God have permission to love you? Mass Readings from July 07, 2019: Isaiah 66:10-14 Psalms 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20Galatians 6:14-18 Luke 10:1-12, 17-20

Homily from the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Transfer your primary allegiance. When following Jesus, the first things He invites us to give up are safety and control. Mass Readings from June 30, 2019: 1 Kings 19:16, 19-21 Psalms 16:1-2, 5, 7-11Galatians 5:1, 13-18 Luke 9:51-62

Homily from Pentecost Sunday. I know I have what I need. The promised Holy Spirit gives many gifts, but few are more powerful and profound than the Spirit’s gift of peace. Mass Readings from June 9, 2019: Acts 13:14, 43-52 Psalms 100:1-2, 3, 51Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13 John 20:19-23

Homily from the Fourth Sunday of Easter. Failure either gives us clarity and conviction or course correction. Failure is not final and failure is not fatal. As long as we don’t stop, and as long as we are willing to learn from our failures, they have no power to defeat us but only to educate us and make us better. Mass Readings from May 12, 2019: Acts 13:14, 43-52 Psalms 100:1-2, 3, 5Revelation 7:9, 14-17 John 10:27-30 Download the Homily Study

Homily from the Third Sunday of Easter. The only way for failure to be final is if you stop. Even sin is not final if you don’t stop. God has a call for you that is not erased by failure. Mass Readings from May 5, 2019: Acts 5:27-32, 40-41 Psalms 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13Revelation 5:11-14 John 21:1-19 Download the Homily Study

Homily from Divine Mercy Sunday. Failure is the one necessary prerequisite for God’s greatest gift. Many people battle with perfectionism. God’s mercy in the midst of failure is His remedy for the fear that failure is the end. Mass Readings from April 28, 2019: Acts 5:12-16 Psalms 118:2-4, 13-15, 22Revelation 1:9-11, 12-13, 17-19 John 20:19-31 Download the Homily Study

Homily from Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion. To stand for Jesus is to stand against the world. If I live in such a way that I merely follow the crowd, I will find myself praising Jesus on Sunday and crying out for His Crucifixion on Friday. This world is a “not friend“ of the Christian. Therefore, we must stand against the world and for Jesus. Mass Readings from April 14, 2019: Isaiah 50:4-7 Psalms 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24Philippians 2:6-11 Luke 22:14-23:56 Download the Homily Study

Homily from the Fifth Sunday of Lent. There is no need to fear, but there is a need to fight. Behind enemy lines, we find ourselves in a battle with the Enemy of God. Satan is real and Satan must be resisted. But the Catholic Christian has been given the tools to engage in the fight and thrive with the strength provided by God Himself. Mass Readings from April 7, 2019: Isaiah 43:16-21 Psalms 126:1-6Philippians 3:8-14 John 8:1-11 Download the Homily Study

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 Download the Homily Study

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 Download the Homily Study

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 Download the Homily Study

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 Download the Homily Study

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

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 Download the Homily Study

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 Download the Homily Study

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 Download the Homily Study

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 Read More About Blessed Chiara Badano Download the Homily Study

Homily from the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. What great work may God be preparing you for right now? In Christ, your past might not be the thing that prevent you from being a part of God’s great work… It might be the thing that has prepared you. Mass Readings from January 27, 2019: Nehemiah 8:2-6, 8-10 Psalms 19:8, 9, 10, 151 Corinthians 12:12-30 Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21 Download the Homily Study