The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast
Faith, pop culture, and headline reflections from Fr. Mike Schmitz.
Older episodes
- 73Discernment 101Fr. Mike Schmitz explains that it is best to focus on one thing at a time when discerning a vocation. Not only is it most prudent to discern just one vocation at a time; it is also important to take discernment one step at a time.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast
- 74The Value of SilenceGod never ignores us, but sometimes we simply can’t hear him due to all of the distractions in our life. That’s why Fr. Mike Schmitz feels it’s necessary for people to become more comfortable with silence, because silence is God’s first language, and it is in silence that we will best hear him.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast
- 75Will God Heal My Wounds?Being alone isn’t supposed to be scary. In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz shows us how solitude can be an invitation and doesn't have to lead to loneliness. God himself has revealed to us how he is a relationship of love between Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Made in his image, we are also made for relationship—with God and with one another. When we feel alone, it is because we were made to give ourselves to others as God gives himself to us.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast
- 76Independence Day SpecialIt might be tough not to feel patriotic after hearing why Fr. Mike Schmitz loves America in this episode. More importantly, though, he talks about the “burden of freedom” and explains why true freedom requires wisdom, virtue, and a thorough understanding of the story of our nation and our world.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast
- 77Wanting to Fix PeopleWe have a tendency to want to fix the people we love. While delighting in all their good traits, we think, “If only they didn’t have this one quirk...” In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz explains that love embraces the entire person just the way he or she is. He then gives some practical advice on how to do that.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast
- 78Are All Catholics Hypocrites?Sometimes we’re not everything we wish we could be. At times all we can do is act as if we believe, because we’re just not up to truly putting our faith in God at that moment. In this episode, Fr. Mike explains why, in a sense, it’s OK to be a “hypocrite” at those times.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast
- 79Why Does God Let Bad Things Happen?How can God be good, but allow bad things to happen? Fr. Mike Schmitz tackles one of the toughest questions religious believers must answerSupport The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast
- 80Letting God Take His TimeFr. Mike reflects on why God often takes his time when working in our lives. Sometimes God has to go back to the foundation of a problem to answer our prayers. This takes time, but every moment is worth it because it’s time spent with him.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast
- 81What Constitutes a Practicing Catholic?It may be difficult to tell a non-practicing Catholic that he or she can’t receive Communion, but—as Fr. Mike Schmitz proves in this episode—in the big picture, you would actually be helping the person. While telling an awe-inspiring story about a seminarian, Fr. Mike lays out what it means to be a practicing Catholic and shows how the requirements can transform a person's life.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast
- 82Mastering Love and RelationshipsWho doesn’t want to have more constructive conversations in their close relationships? In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz explains how achieving this may be simpler than you think. So many times, we just don’t give the people we love the attention they deserve. Fr. Mike shows us how to fix that and master our love relationships.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast
- 83What Is Sin?In this episode, Fr. Mike lays out not just what sin is but also what it is not. He also explains the difference between regret and repentance, and how evil is really just the absence of good.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast
- 84Chapel Veils and the Significance of DreamsHow can we know if God is speaking to us through a dream? Is it acceptable to wear a chapel veil to a Novus Ordo Mass? Fr. Mike responds to these questions from his audience with clarity and enthusiasm, helping us discover the underlying principles behind his answers.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast
- 85Love is an AbilityFaith, pop culture, and headline reflections from Fr. Mike Schmitz.
- 863 Steps to Unceasing PrayerFirst Thessalonians 5:17 says to “pray constantly,” but how do we do that? In this video, Fr. Mike Schmitz suggests a three-step approach used by St. Francis de Sales. These steps can be difficult or easy, but the important thing to remember is that simply inviting God into every moment is as good a way to pray as any. If you liked this episode, you may also like Oremus: A Guide to Catholic Prayer (http://bit.ly/2fEBTaB).Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast
- 87Mortal Vs Venial SinEven though mortal sins are more deadly than venial sins, that doesn’t mean venial sins are harmless. Fr. Mike explains the damage venial sins do to us and advises us to not become complacent in our sin, no matter how minor it may seem to us, because all sin negatively impacts our relationship with God.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast
- 88Preparing for LentIn this video, Fr. Mike explains how prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are the three pillars of a spiritually fruitful Lent. He then challenges us to try new ways to exercise these Lenten practices, sharing several simple strategies for drawing closer to God during this holy season.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast
- 89That's Offensive!The more we live in the truth, the harder it will be for others to offend us, because false statements about us won't bother us and true ones won't be hidden from us. In this video, Fr. Mike lays out why, as Catholic Christians, we are called to be both unoffensive and “unoffendable,” and explains how we can do that.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast
- 90Why Fast on Ash Wednesday?Fr. Mike offers a refreshing reason for fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Fasting shouldn’t be simply something Catholics do to show they are Catholic. It is a way to show God that we give him our hearts and care about what he asks of us.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast
- 91Fasting Can Change You ForeverFr. Mike talks about the real reasons Christ tells us to fast. It isn’t just about strengthening our will and showing our love for God through some small sacrifice. Ultimately, it’s about freedom. When we give up something for Lent, by the time Lent is over we may find we never needed that thing in the first place and may never feel we need it again.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast
- 92The Meaning of SufferingBooks upon books have been written about the problem of suffering. Fr. Mike isn’t about to reinvent the wheel in this video, but the wisdom he shares in it echoes that of the saints. What did the saints and martyrs know about suffering that enabled them to endure so much of it? Christ didn’t give them some mystical superpower; he simply gave their suffering a purpose.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast
- 93Acedia- The Noonday DevilFaith, pop culture, and headline reflections from Fr. Mike Schmitz.
- 94Where is Lent in the Bible?Just about any question you might have about Lent is answered in this episode. Fr. Mike explains where the observance of Lent came from (the Bible), clarifies why Catholics observe the season, and shares how it can make a difference in our lives. Find more at www.ascensionpress.com/podcasts.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast
- 95Hell Is for RealIt’s a question that arises whenever someone challenges the beliefs of Christianity: If God is all-loving, why does he send people to hell? Some Christians choose to believe that hell doesn’t exist, or if it does, then only those guilty of the most heinous sins go there. Fr. Mike’s response in this video makes much more sense, and he offers an explanation of hell you can take to your grave.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast
- 96Good Friday- The Meaning of the CrossMany people wonder, and even become angry, about God’s ways. In this episode for Good Friday, Fr. Mike explains why God’s answers often seem like contradictions to us. While Jesus dying on the Cross makes no sense according to human wisdom, according to God’s perfect wisdom, the Cross answers all our most burning questions in a way only God can answer them.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast
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