Every week, Catholic priest Fr. Mike Schmitz delivers powerful homilies based on the Sunday Mass Scripture readings, inviting you to live more fully as the person God created you to be. Engaging and motivating, these 20-30 minute homilies will help ground your faith, fortify your heart, and transform your life. Fr. Mike Schmitz preaches from Duluth Minnesota, where he serves as the Newman chaplain for University Minnesota Duluth’s Bulldog Catholic campus ministry.
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Homily from the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi). To have the Real Presence in the Eucharist, one needs the Apostolic priesthood. Corpus Christi is an important feast for an important Reality. We know that Jesus was clear when He taught about His Body and Blood in the Eucharist...yet this true Presence requires the true ministerial priesthood that Jesus established with His Apostles. Christ's followers are divided, but He continues to desire our unity. Mass Re...
Homily from the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. God is not a problem to solve, but One to be trusted. The Holy Trinity is the term that we use to try and convey the Mystery of Who God ultimately is. But no definition will suffice. And no explanation could possibly capture God's fullness. God is simply beyond anything that we can conceive of or imagine...but He has revealed Himself and called us into relationship with Him. Even if we do not fully grasp Him. Mass Readings from May 31, 2026: Ex...
Homily from Pentecost Sunday. God always answers our prayers, but our prayers do not control or convince Him. We can say that "prayer works", but we must be very careful to know what we mean if we were to utter such words. Mass Readings from May 24, 2026: Acts 2:1-11 Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 341 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13 John 20:19-23
Homily from the Ascension of the Lord. "It is better for you that I go...". Is that true? Jesus told His apostles that it was better for them that He ascended to the Father; that it was better for them if He left them. But why? Mass Readings from May 17, 2026: Acts 1:1-11 Psalm 47:2-3, 6-9Ephesians 1:17-23 Matthew 28:16-20
Homily from the Sixth Sunday of Easter. Hope that is not tested is hope that cannot be trusted. How do we grow in hope? Saint Paul tells us: through affliction that leads to a new level of trust in the God who loves us. Mass Readings from May 10, 2026: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17 Psalm 66:1-3, 4-7, 16, 201 Peter 3:15-18 John 14:15-21
Homily from the Fifth Sunday of Easter. What is this in light of eternity? Our perspective either helps us see things clearly or muddies the waters. The only way forward is perspective, and not just any perspective, eternal perspective. Without eternal perspective, our hearts will never find rest and we will always be searching for our true purpose. Mass Readings from May 3, 2026: Acts 6:1-7 Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-191 Peter 2:4-9 John 14:1-12
Homily from the Fourth Sunday of Easter. There is no perfect road. There is only the next right road. There are many things that we might end up regretting in the course of our lives. But the most important thing is to keep our eyes on Jesus and our ears attuned to the sound of His voice; to listen to Him, stay close to Him, and follow Him. Mass Readings from April 26, 2026: Acts 2:14, 36-41 Psalm 23: 1-3, 3-61 Peter 2:20-25 John 10:1-10
Homily from the Third Sunday of Easter. The Enemy wants to steal your heart. The Lord wants to give you His. It is possible to know the truth; the truth about the Resurrection, the truth about Christianity, the truth about Jesus...and still struggle. It is possible to know and wrestle to have the courage it requires to continue on. Courage is necessary. Heart is necessary...especially in the battle of discouragement. Mass Readings from April 19, 2026: Acts 2:14, 22-33 Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-111 Pete...
Homily from Divine Mercy Sunday. It’s not about your first or last confession. It’s about your next one. The Christian life doesn’t end with a first confession, baptism, or Easter moment, it continues through the next step. What keeps love alive is not looking back, but continually returning to Christ through confession, mercy, and grace. Each “next” encounter with Jesus strengthens faith and guards against a cold heart. Mass Readings from April 12, 2026: Acts 2:42-47 Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24...
Homily from Easter Sunday. Everything given and taken is restored. Jesus did not rise from the dead to merely prove a point. He rose so that all could be restored. Everything we give to Him...everything we allow Him to take...all of it can be restored. Mass Readings from April 5, 2026: Acts 10:34,37-43 Psalms 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23Colossians 3:1-4 John 20:1-9
Homily from Good Friday. A king without His armor. At the end of our lives, there are no defenses. At the end of Christ's life, He clings to no defenses. He has poured it all out, and all is taken from Him. All that is left is the Man Himself. At the end of our lives, we will only be left with our heart...everything else is taken. Mass Readings from April 3, 2026: Isaiah 52:13—53:12 Psalm 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-16, 17, 25Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 John 18:1—19:42
Homily from Holy Thursday. Jesus knew. And He still gave everything. At the end of Lent, we realize that we have been called to give. To give our time and attention to God in prayer. To give up things in fasting. To give help to those in need. Jesus gives at the Last Supper. He gives everything...fully knowing the truth of the people for whom He gives everything. Mass Readings from April 2, 2026: Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14 Psalm 116:12-13, 15-181 Corinthians 11:23-26 John 13:1-15...
Homily from Palm Sunday. It is not my fault, but it is my responsibility. When there is something that we like, we are quick to claim it. When there is something we don't like, we are quick to claim it is not our fault. But our story must end with our becoming like the Father...and the Father bears the marker of adulthood: The Cross. Mass Readings from March 29, 2026: Isaiah 50:4-7 Psalm 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24Philippians 2:6-11 Matthew 26:14—27:66
Homily from the Fourth Sunday of Lent At the end of the story, who will you be? What you seek shapes what you see. Look for hope. Look for joy. Look for goodness. The things you train your eyes to notice will shape the person you become. At the end of the story, who will you be? Mass Readings from March 15, 2026: 1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a Psalm 23: 1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6Ephesians 5:8-14 John 9:1-41
Homily from the Third Sunday of Lent From the middle, you can't see the end. From the middle, you can't see the end. But just know you're making progress, even if you don't feel it. Mass Readings from March 8, 2026: Exodus 17:3-7 Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9Romans 5:1-2, 5-8 John 4:5-42
Homily from the Second Sunday of Lent Every story has a title. Does one moment define the whole thing? There is often a speech that lives inside each of us. That speech can become the title of our story. Is that title marked by resentment? Or is there a larger event that can define our lives? Mass Readings from March 1, 2026: Genesis 12:1-4a Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 222 Timothy 1:8b-10 Matthew 17:1-9
Homily from the First Sunday of Lent. Every story has a beginning. As we begin Lent, we are faced with the question: If I live the next 25 years of my life the way I've lived the past seven days, where will I end up? Who will I become? We are writing our life story with every choice that we make. Are we writing in rebellion? Or with God as the Co-Author? Mass Readings from February 22, 2026: Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7 Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 17Romans 5:12-19 Matthew 4:1-11...
Father Mike reflects on Jesus's teaching to fulfill the law, not just follow it minimally, drawing a parallel with a camp counselor who put his heart into his work. He explores three obstacles to this "new way to carry the weight": doing the minimum (quiet quitting), resistance to God's will, and simply enduring tasks. The episode concludes by emphasizing that approaching all of life's duties with love, as St. Paul advises, transforms them into joyful acts of faith.
This homily by Father Mike Schmitz explores the profound tragedy of wasted potential, using the compelling life story of Daryl Woods Sr., who endured 29 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit, as a powerful illustration. It delves into the Christian understanding of potential as a divine gift, emphasizing that God has already chosen us and provided all we need to "be salt of the earth and light of the world." The episode culminates in a fervent call to action, urging listeners to actively use their gifts and not let God's grace end with them, inspired by Daryl's redemptive journey from inmate to police commissioner.
Fr. Mike Schmitz warns against "counterfeit happiness" derived from wealth, power, pleasure, and fame, using analogies like Frank Abignale and fool's gold. He reveals how these idols promise joy but ultimately leave us empty. Drawing from the Sermon on the Mount, the homily encourages listeners to find true blessedness by embracing the Beatitudes and studying Jesus' life as the ultimate example of authentic happiness.
Homily from the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time The question is not IF God will show up, but HOW will God show up. There are times in our lives when it seems like there is no way forward. There are times when it seems like there is no way God can come through on His promises. There are times when it seems like God will not show up. But God always does in a way only He knows. Mass Readings from January 25, 2026: Isaiah 8:23—9:3 Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-141 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17 Matthew 4:12-23 or 4:12-1...
Homily from the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time. Who are we talking to? It is critical to know WHO we are talking to when we pray. What is the image of God that guides and directs our prayer? Does He need our counsel? Does He care about us at all? Or does He care about us more than we could possibly imagine? Mass Readings from January 18, 2026: Isaiah 49:3, 5-6 Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 101 Corinthians 1:1-3 John 1:29-34
Homily from the The Baptism of the Lord The traps of believing we are God's advisors...or His performers. Baptism changes us. It begins an entirely new life in each one of us. And yet, when we approach the Lord, we can be tempted to act, not as God's adopted children, but as His counselors or his performers. Mass Readings from January 11, 2026:Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 Psalm 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10Acts 10:34-38 Matthew 3:13-17
Homily from the The Epiphany of the Lord Indifference can turn into hostility. Christ has come close. And yet, we all still have a choice: will we remain indifferent to His presence or will we seek Him out? If we choose indifference, we will not remain indifferent. When it comes to God, we either give Him our hearts or we remove Him from our lives. Mass Readings from January 4, 2026:Isaiah 60:1-6Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6 Matthew 2:1-12
Homily from the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God Resolve: I will not take these things for granted. We are surrounded by the amazing and miraculous every day. But we often miss it because our lives are too busy and too full. If we take a page out of Mary, the Mother of God's book, we would reflect on all these things...and no longer take them for granted. Mass Readings from January 1, 2026: Numbers 6:22-27Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8Galatians 4:4-7 Luke 2:16-21
Homily from the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph The "trad family" goes back farther than the 1950's... Men and women need to be authentically masculine and feminine for their marriages and families to thrive. But what IS authentic masculinity? What IS authentic femininity? Mass Readings from December 28, 2025: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5Colossians 3:12-21 or 3:12-17 Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23
Homily from The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) What if all I received was HIM this Christmas? We have waited for Jesus—and now that He is here, true gratitude is shown by living fully in the gift of His presence and love. Mass Readings from December 25, 2025:Isaiah 52:7-10 Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6Hebrews 1:1-6 John 1:1-18
Homily from the Fourth Sunday of Advent What happens when I don't get what I've been waiting for? All through the Bible, God makes certain promises. He always fulfills them. But we cannot expect God to fulfill a promise that He has never made. No matter what, whether we get what we've waited for or not, we can hope in HIM. Mass Readings from December 21, 2025:Isaiah 7:10-14 Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-24
Homily from the Third Sunday of Advent In seasons of waiting, do we complain or praise? While we are waiting, it can feel like nothing is happening. And yet, faith tells us that God is at work even when we can't yet see the fruit. Rather than complaining while we wait, there is another option. Mass Readings from December 14, 2025: Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10 Psalm 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10 James 5:7-10 Matthew 11:2-11
Homily from the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This feast day of the Immaculate Conception is not just a privilege for Mary: it's a prophecy for us. The Feast of the Immaculate Conception reveals God's plan to conquer sin not just by repairing what is broken, but by preparing a path where grace triumphs first. This Advent we are invited to enter into the "Sacrament of the Present Moment", where God offers real, life-changing grace in each moment we choose to b...
