Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz

Homily from the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas).

The Why is a Who.

Jesus is not merely the “reason for the season”… He is the reason for everything.

Luke 2:15-20

Homily from the Second Sunday of Advent.

This might be the end of the dream, but it is not the end of the story.

God has begun a good work in you. In fact, he has begun many “good works.“ Many of them will come to an end, but the truly great work that God has begun is a work that he intends to continue to finish.

Luke 3:1-6

Homily from the First Sunday of Advent.

You will never be ready unless you get ready.

Advent is a season of preparation. We get ready to celebrate the first coming of Christ into this world. We also get ready for His Second Coming at the end of the world…or at the end of our individual lives. During Advent, we get ready to die.

Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

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Homily from the Solemnity of Christ the King.

Don't waste your priesthood.

Jesus is the one eternal High Priest. He has called certain men to participate in His priesthood in a unique way. But He has also extended a share in His priesthood to all believers so that the Father may be glorified and the world redeemed when the sacrifice is offered throughout the world.

John 18:33-37

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Homily from the Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Not merely witnessing the miracle, but offering the sacrifice.

We have to learn the worship of God in a similar way that we need to learn the Word of God. The more we know What we are doing, Who we are offering, Why it is crucial, and When to focus, the more we will be able to do more than watch…we will be able to worship.

Mark 13:24-32

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Homily from the Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Offering first-fruits reveals and increases the depth of trust.

The temptation to experience worship as hollow or empty is universal. God’s solution for our hearts is the invitation to offer Him our first-fruits. Sacrifices that are intentional, consequential, and representational have the power to transform our hearts and fill up what might be hollow worship.

Mark 12:38-44

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Homily from the Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Not to watch, but to worship.

The heart of religion is the worship of God. And the heart of worship is always sacrifice; a gift that is poured out on the altar. Where is your gift being poured out? Where is your altar?

Mark 12:28-34

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Homily from the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

We do not conquer our rivals, we are called out from beneath their power.

The voices around us shape us. Some voices shape us more powerfully and more negatively than others. These rival voices fashion a lens through which we see the world. They can rob us of peace, joy, and Christ place in our heart. But to take courage, get up, Jesus is calling you.

Mark 10:46-52

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Homily from the Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

What do I have to do to get what I want?

So much of our lives can be marked by the desire to control…or the fear of losing control. The rival of control can dominate. And the trust of praise and surrender can liberate.

Mark 10:35-45

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Homily from the Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

God has an absolute claim on your heart. What is the reason you won't give it to Him?

There is a clear difference between a reason and an excuse. Excuses are not acceptable answers, but there are times when even “good reasons” fail to be “good enough”.

Mark 10:17-30

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Homily from the Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time.

There are some relationships that do not tolerate rivals.

There are only two kinds of relationships that get to a point where it is “all…or nothing”: Romantic relationships and our relationship with Jesus. If we say “all”, that carries with it some consequences. Namely, all of our heart must belong to the other.

Mark 10:2-16

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