Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz

Homily from the Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The only way to be able to pray in all seasons is to pray in all seasons. Growing through the motions involves commitment, consistency, and companions. It means being willing to go through the motions no matter the season and no matter the circumstances. It is only by doing this that we can have full range of motion in our relationship with the Lord. Mass Readings from October 16, 2022: Exodus 17:8-13 Psalms 121:1-82 Timothy 3:14-4:2 Luke 18:1-8

Homily from the Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Our Why is a Who. We can know exactly what to do and how to do it. So much of our lives can be spent doing more and more, but never knowing exactly why. But if the reason behind our actions is Jesus, then we can truly be free to love every time we say "yes" to our Who. Mass Readings from October 9, 2022: 2 Kings 5:14-17 Psalms 98:1-42 Timothy 2:8-13 Luke 17:11-19

Homily from the Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. Duty is not the enemy. So much of life is doing our duty. Doing what we are supposed to do. And yet, there are times when this means that we only “go through the motions”. There is a chance for us to do more however…we can choose to grow. Mass Readings from October 2, 2022: Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4 Psalms 95:1-2, 6-92 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14 Luke 17:5-10

Homily from the Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Complacency is being satisfied with how things are and not being willing to change them. We are insulated from discomfort in many ways. And our lives of comfort can lead to complacency. But encountering Christ can lead to compassion. Mass Readings from September 25, 2022: Amos 6:1, 4-7 Psalms 146:7-101 Timothy 6:11-16 Luke 16:19-31

Homily from the Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The connection between our values and our virtues. We are nothing without the virtue of integrity. As one pastor noted, "If you have integrity, nothing else matters. And if you don't have integrity, nothing else matters." Integrity is the bridge between our desires and our decisions. Without integrity, our lives remain mere piles without purpose. Mass Readings from September 18, 2022: Amos 8:4-7 Psalms 113:1-2, 4-81 Timothy 2:1-8 Luke 16:1-13

Homily from the Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Who you are now is who you are. Joy is the abiding sense of well-being. It is a feeling, but it is also a choice. But we do not choose joy itself. We must choose the source of joy. Love is the source of joy. Mass Readings from September 11, 2022 Exodus 32:7-11 Psalms 51:3-4, 12-13, 17, 191 Timothy 1:12-17 Luke 15:1-32

Homily from the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time. Loyalty is a force that conquers time. The essence of a eulogy virtue is character. Not merely who people think you are, but who you actually are. A person of character does what they said they would do…despite changing feelings or circumstances. This is loyalty. Mass Readings from September 4, 2022: Wisdom 9:13-18 Psalms 90:3-6, 12-14, 17Philemon 9-10, 12-17 Luke 14:25-33

Homily from the Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time. Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less. The Book of Sirach makes the claim that the humble person is loved more than a giver of gifts. But what does it mean to be humble? Does it mean what most of us automatically think of? Or does it mean something deeper...something freer? True humility gives a person the ability to pay attention. Mass Readings from August 28, 2022: Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29 Psalms 68:4-7, 10-11Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24 Luke 14:1, 7-14

Homily from the Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time. How are you fighting for Heaven? Jesus makes it very clear that our call is to make our pursuit of Heaven exactly that: a pursuit. He is personal and practical when He tells us that each and every one of us must strive for Heaven. Mass Readings from August 21, 2022: Isaiah 66:18-21 Psalms 117:1, 2Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13 Luke 13:22-30

Homily from the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Sometimes God gives the victory and sometimes God gives what we need to finish the race. Every one of us is in the middle of the race of our lives. God has called us and brought us here, even when there is no victory in sight and even when victory is not possible. But God will always give whatever we need to finish the race. Mass Readings from August 14, 2022: Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10 Psalms 40:2-4, 18Hebrews 12:1-4 Luke 12:49-53