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The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

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The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

Mike Schmitz

Faith, pop culture, and headline reflections from Fr. Mike Schmitz.

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  1. 97God Doesn't Owe You AnythingWhen we’re going through hard times, it’s easy to think we deserve better from God. In this episode, Fr. Mike uses a compelling story from the book of Daniel to exemplify the challenging but proper response to adversity. As tough as it may be, finding a way to thank God no matter the situation is a sure way to holiness.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast7 min
  2. 98What Is the Sin of Gluttony?Many of us have learned the hard way that too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. In this episode, Fr. Mike shows us how to savor life’s delights without losing our ability to enjoy life. He gives palpable examples as he demonstrates how our favorite things—when enjoyed in the right quantity and for the right reasons—can give us more patience, temperance, freedom, and joy.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast7 min
  3. 99Is it OK to Hate Someone?What do we need to do as Catholic Christians to convey that the message of our religion is one of pure love? So often we misrepresent what it means to be Christian, causing many people to just see judgment when they see us upholding our principles. In this episode, Fr. Mike emphasizes how important it is to live what we believe, and that means loving people so much that even when they harm us, we continue to love them.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast7 min
  4. 100Is God in the Center of Your Life?Does your life revolve around your relationship with God, or is your relationship with him just a side-note?Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast6 min
  5. 101What You Should Know About PurgatorySome people reject the idea of purgatory because they misunderstand its purpose. In this episode, Fr. Mike explains why purgatory is needed and straightens out some of those misunderstandings.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast7 min
  6. 102What I Learned Getting Roasted At The SeminaryFr. Mike uses a memory from the seminary to discuss a lesson about self-identity. He asks us what we would like to be known for at the end of the day. Some of us want to be recognized for our talents or for our interests, but Fr. Mike narrows it down to the identity in life that matters most.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast4 min
  7. 103How To Face TemptationFather Mike uses the classic myths involving the Sirens to explain some ways to avoid temptation. He points out the differences between the ways Ulysses, his crew, and Jason of the Argonauts dealt with the monsters and suggests we use some advice St. Paul gave to the Philippians when dealing with temptations.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast7 min
  8. 104Why Be Catholic And Not Just ChristianThere are many similarities and differences between the Catholic Church and the Protestant churches. In this video, Fr. Mike Schmitz narrows the differences down to one thing that really sets Catholicism apart from the rest. If you like this video, you may also like Sonja Corbitt’s blog post “Is Jesus the Only Mediator” on The Great Adventure Blog.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast10 min
  9. 105Why We Don't Drink Coffee At MassLeaving our coffee cups outside - there are a few reasons for this. Fr. Mike reminds us that we all have a vital role to play in the Mass, and it’s probably more significant than any of us realized!Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast6 min
  10. 106Do Catholics Worship SaintsFr. Mike Schmitz wants to straighten out some confusion regarding Catholics’ veneration of saints. In this episode, he explains how—far from being icons to worship—statues and paintings of the saints are reminders of what God can do in someone’s life, so honoring the saints doesn’t take away from the glory we give God. It actually brings him greater glory. You may also like the article “Why Pray to Mary and the Saints?” on The Great Adventure Blog.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast7 min
  11. 107Are My Sacrifices WorkingThe Book of Eli (Denzel Washington) and The Road (Viggo Mortensen) provide powerful illustrations for Fr. Mike’s talk about hope this week. These two dystopian stories demonstrate how hope can give us the strength to put everything on the line for something or someone we love, even when we know we may not see the fruits of our sacrifice. Fr. Mike is also a presenter in these faith formation programs from Ascension: Belonging: Baptism in the Family of God Chosen: This is Your Catholic Faith Altaration: The Mystery of the Mass RevealedSupport The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast6 min
  12. 108Generosity - The Greatest Spiritual GiftIn Matthew 17:20,​ Jesus tells us if we have faith as small as a mustard seed we could move mountains. The problem is most of us don’t put our faith to use. In this video, Fr. Mike invites us to make use of the gifts God has already given us. In doing so, we may become so overjoyed by our natural gifts that we can’t help but share them with others. Fr. Mike is also a presenter in these faith formation programs from Ascension:Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast5 min
  13. 109Why Watching MMA Strips Human DignitySometimes the forms of entertainment we choose to watch raise important moral questions. In this episode, Fr. Mike puts the sport of mixed martial arts on trial for its glorification of unnecessary violence. He distinguishes between the ability to defend yourself and forcing someone into submission through physical strength. Drawing from Christ’s example of meekness, Fr. Mike explains how martial arts as a discipline can be noble while mixed martial arts as entertainment is not.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast6 min
  14. 110Responding to the MMA EpisodeFr. Mike addresses some of the disagreements his audience expressed regarding last week’s video on mixed martial arts. Showing that he wasn’t singling out MMA, he gets to the root of the issue and asks, “Does the entertainment I choose help or harm my commitment to be like Jesus?”Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast9 min
  15. 111Be a HaterYou may be familiar with the expression, “Hate the sin, not the sinner.” Fr. Mike would agree, especially when it comes to ourselves. We are quick to point out the sin we observe around us, but not as quick to examine our own souls. Along with this challenge to look inward, in this video Fr. Mike explains why we must hate sin in order to love God. Fr. Mike is also a presenter in these faith formation programs from Ascension: Belonging: Baptism in the Family of God Chosen: This is Your Catholic Faith Altaration: The Mystery of the Mass Revealed YOU: Life, Love and the Theology of the BodySupport The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast8 min
  16. 112Talking About SuicideFr. Mike explains why hope is the best remedy for suicidal thoughts. If you know someone struggling with such thoughts, don’t hesitate to reach out to them with reasons to have hope. If someone you know or love has committed suicide, pray for them and don’t lose hope for their soul. If you struggle with suicidal thoughts, don’t be ashamed to seek help. Fr. Mike shares these words of encouragement and more in this episode.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast9 min
  17. 113Training vs Working OutInspired by the diligence of professional athletes and St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, Fr. Mike encourages us to approach our prayer life—and life in general—with a goal and sense of purpose. Getting physically in shape requires more than just a casual workout, and getting spiritually in shape requires more than going through the motions of our religion.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast5 min
  18. 114Who Do You Spend Time WithCommon wisdom tells us we become the people we spend the most time with, so choose your friends wisely. In this video, Fr. Mike expands upon that advice to encourage Catholics to spend more time with God in prayer, and surround ourselves with people who practice Christian virtue.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast8 min
  19. 115What's Your BurdenHow do you carry your burdens in life? In this episode, Father Mike discusses a tendency to make our life harder based on the "work beneath the work." Our approach to difficulties doesn't have to make them even tougher.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast6 min
  20. 116Is it OK to Judge SomeoneJesus commanded us not to judge… but not to judge what? If we look at the words of Jesus, we find he’s actually telling us that even though we can’t judge the heart, we should judge actions – it’s important to make distinctions between right and wrong! Father Mike also reminds us why, with the mercy of God available to us, we don’t need to be afraid of judgment.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast7 min
  21. 117Avoiding ImpurityDid you know we have the ability to write our own stories? So often we consider ourselves victims of our own passions, constantly giving in to them while thinking they’re too strong. In this video, Fr. Mike empowers us to live out the vow we make in our Act of Contrition to “avoid the near occasions of sin.” Who knows where the path of life may lead if we simply choose a path other than the one upon which we know temptation lurks?Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast8 min
  22. 118What is HopeHope, in the Christian sense, is often misunderstood. It is not the same as optimism or presumption. It is not the blind faith that we will go to heaven or the escapist way to avoid the troubles of this world. It’s not the virtue we need to see the present moment with more positivity. It’s more personal than that. In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz explains exactly why.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast6 min
  23. 119Finding Balance in Christian LifeBalance in life is something many of us strive for while not having much insight on how to achieve it. In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz provides three principles that can help, advising that when we seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33), everything else tends to fall into place.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast6 min
  24. 120NFL ProtestsFootball has recently become a forum to look at where patriotism and protest intersect. The last thing most NFL fans want is for the NFL to get political, yet with the recent National Anthem protests around the league, that seems to be what’s happening. How do we take a stance that is Christian and respectful amidst such deep-rooted tension? In this episode, Fr. Mike lays out a game plan for us, and it starts with looking within.Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast7 min
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