Free will is an incredible gift from God that we often underestimate. We truly get to make a choice in every decision that we come across—even the smallest decisions. But guess what we DON'T get to choose? The consequences. Today, Fr. Mike reminds us that every action has a consequence built into it. So, if you want a certain result, make a choice. If you choose sin, you get sin. If you choose God, you get God. The choice... is yours.
Do you commit the same sins over and over again? Does it feel like a bad movie that you’re stuck watching, with the same sad script playing over and over again? Rewrite it. Rewrite the script. Today, Fr. Mike gives us some novel ideas for steering hard out of the “grooves” of sin we've worn deep into the bedrock of our daily lives.
Some people pour through comic books like they're devotional works, following the lives of superheroes like some study the lives of the saints. In this redux from the archives, Fr. Mike interviews sacred artist Neilson Carlin about the crossover between comics books and sacred art, and how the desire to emulate superheroes is truly fulfilled when we follow the saints to Christ. Be sure to check out Neilson's fine artwork (pun intended) at https://www.neilsoncarlin.com/
Today, Ascension is pulling one out of the vault, and Fr. Mike tells you why your parish priest needs you (and how you can help). The value of a new parishioner introducing him or herself to the parish and just asking the priest, “How can I help?” is priceless. When entering a new community, we may have all of these ideas about what we can do to help, but to listen and simply tell the leaders that you are available shows humility and understanding. Fr. Mike knows firsthand about all of the diffe...
When we read the lives of the saints it can appear like prayer comes so easily to them; almost as if they were soaking in a hot tub of grace. But then when we go to pray we are confronted with the harsh reality that "Prayer is HARD." It can feel much more like struggling to swim laps in an Olympic sized pool. Today, Fr. Mike shares some wisdom from the fourth Pillar of the Catechism of the Catholic Church: Our Life in Prayer. – "Prayer is both a gift of grace and a determined response on our par...
When you're first growing in prayer and developing your relationship with Jesus, it is worth the effort to fight distractions in prayer. The more you can focus on our Lord, the more fruit you can see from prayer, and the deeper a bond you can experience with Jesus. But, let's be real—distraction is inevitable. It's human. And our brains are hardwired, in some ways, to move on to "the next thing". The Saints knew this, and there is an "advanced solution" to distraction in prayer—use it in prayer....
They say that perfection is the enemy of the good. But what is true goodness in a pursuit? What does excellence actually look like and consist of? Today, Fr. Mike urges us to practice two qualities that lie at the heart of excellence: promptness and preparedness.
How do you know you've had an encounter with God? Sometimes it's hard to tell, especially if you were raised in the Faith. Today, Fr. Mike shares his own conversion story, and encourages us to think of a time or a season where you decided to devote your life to God, because Jesus was there in that time, even if you didn't realize it.
Grief is a human emotion and and affects each of us at one time or another. The Catholic Church in all her wisdom offers us this beautiful prayer in the rite of Christian burial: "Indeed for your faithful, Lord, life is changed not ended, and, when this earthly dwelling turns to dust, an eternal dwelling is made ready for them in heaven.” Continuing on the theme of death and grief, today, Fr. Mike offers a word of hope and encouragement to anyone who is grieving. Our grief as Christians should l...
Everyone you know and love is going to die someday. You will too, but... the thought of losing everyone else can sometimes be all the more frightening. This is a natural response to the ugly, "unnatural" reality of death, and those feelings of fear are not "wrong" to feel. But, today, Fr. Mike implores you to take heart. There is yet one person who will never leave you.
Do aliens from outer space really exist? Did God create them? Are they intelligent? What does that mean for our faith? Today, Fr. Mike's answer might not be what you're looking for, but... it's the truth.
What if no one ever told you about Jesus? Your life probably wouldn't have so many rules. You wouldn't be as guilty for any sins you commit (you wouldn't even know they were sins in the first place). You wouldn't need to evangelize. And you wouldn't know that the God of the universe—your creator—loves you with a burning passion that you can't even imagine. Today, Fr. Mike makes the case that it is better to know Christ. It is better to live in the truth. And it is better to take on the challenge...
When things don't go the way we expect, it's hard not to be frustrated and disappointed. How do we move on after unmet expectations? And how do we break the vicious cycle? Today, Fr. Mike tells us how to keep it real.
When you go to a concert for your favorite band, and that band has been around for a while, what songs are everybody showing up for? The new ones off of the most recent EP? Or the classics? And when that iconic song kicks off and the fans go mad... what do they want to hear? A modern reworking? Or the original—"just like the album"? Today, Fr. Mike makes the case for worshipping God at Mass the way that he asks to be worshipped—not the way that we think he should be worshipped. "O Beauty ever an...
There is an age old question often debated among between Catholics and Protestant. Are we saved by faith or works? How are we saved? Today, Fr. Mike continues the discussion on faith and weighs in on the Catholic Church's teaching on faith and works. The answer may surprise you.
We must place our faith in Christ in order to allow him to save us. But what does it actually mean to have faith? What does it look like? Does it mean you just "agree" with everything Jesus and his Church say? Or is it deeper than that? Today, Fr. Mike draws a sharp distinction between faith and mere "agreement", and calls us to a more radical trust in our savior.
In our world today, there are millions trapped in slavery and sex trafficking. The most horrific and devastating example of this is the sale of the weakest and most vulnerable in society, our children. Today, Fr. Mike shares his honest review of the film, "Sound of Freedom," currently in theaters, and offers a word of encouragement for how each of us can confront this terrible reality head-on and proactively do something about it.
If you profess to be a Christian, that means that you profess to follow Jesus Christ. But, of course, that presupposes that you know who Jesus is—where he came from, what he came to do, where he went, and what he continues to do until the end of time. Our understanding of Jesus can be shaped by our parents, our schooling, our culture, and our own ignorance. But, today, Fr. Mike redirects us to the primary revelation about Jesus that we have access to: scripture.
You probably don't outright lie on a regular basis. But, do you exaggerate? Do you give half truths sometimes, or leave things unclear on purpose? Do you hide some facts in order to smooth things over? Today, Fr. Mike shows us the very-human reasons we all struggle with these "white lies", and how to tell the "full" truth more often. "Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil." —Jesus in Matthew 5:37
Whether you're cultivating a life of prayer with Jesus for the first time or you're trying to reignite that fire in your soul, the breadth of prayer advice can be dizzyingly overwhelming. If you're open to it, today, Fr. Mike has one more prayer to try out: T-A-R. Tell the Lord what's on your heart Ask him for what you need Rely on the Lord to answer your prayer It might seem simple, but it might change your prayer life forever.
"Wives, be subject to your husbands, as to the Lord." (Ephesians 5:22) Woah! Come again? On the list of controversial and misunderstood Bible verses, this is near the top. When it swings through in the cycle of Mass readings, folks are often left in the pew looking at each other like, "Did anyone else just hear what St. Paul said?" If you'll let Fr. Mike explain this scripture passage, it will transform the way you understand Christian marriage (for the better).
We know this: when we go to the sacrament of reconciliation with a truly contrite heart and receive absolution, we are forgiven of our sins by the blood of Jesus Christ. So, if you've ever left the confessional still feeling bad, you might wonder... "What gives?" Today, Fr. Mike identifies 3 reasons why we might be experiencing a lingering feeling of guilt after confession, and he gives us a bit of advice to deal with those feelings. "I'm forgiven, but I still have to deal with the consequences....
"If no one gets hurt is it still a sin?" "It was just an accident." How can we know if our actions are a sin or just a mistake? Can we be committing sin without knowing it? Today Fr. Mike details the three elements that must be present for an act to be a sin and he helps us grapple with our own sinfulness and God's desire for mercy and reconciliation.
How much prayer is too much prayer? Our relationship with God is the most important relationship we will ever have. But what about when our devotions clash with our responsibilities to our loved ones? Or attendance to other obligations? Today, Fr. Mike tells us what it means to "pray without ceasing"... and what it doesn't mean.
The call to holiness can feel like an overwhelming challenge. In fact it can seem downright impossible. But in spite of our brokenness, sinfulness and littleness God keeps calling us to "walk on the water" with Him. Today Fr. Mike contrasts our "mercenary heart" – which so easily is swayed to pursue the pleasures of the world which draws our gaze away from Jesus – with the "Merciful Heart of Jesus" that seeks to draw us to Himself.
The question of evil, suffering and brokenness in our world can be a hard one to grapple with. Sometimes, when we're in a place of darkness, the question can arise, "Would it be better if I had never been born?" Today, Fr. Mike tackles these incredibly tough questions and offers some insights into why God created you, and why it is good that you exist.
It’s an age old question; “Why do I have to confess my sins to a priest?” Today Fr. Mike encourages and challenges us to see the Sacrament of Reconciliation not as a burden but as a gift from God. Your Heavenly Father wants to reconcile with you and offer you the grace of forgiveness and he does this through the humanity of the ordained priesthood.
Jesus is a miracle worker. He worked incredible “signs and wonders” during his 33 years on earth, and he continues to stun us with modern miracles to this day. He has healed people physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. But if he has shown us that he can do this… why hasn’t he healed everyone? If you’ve asked God “why haven’t you healed me,” Fr. Mike has a video for you today.
Today, Fr. Mike drops some truth bombs. God does not merely tolerate you. He loves you with a ferocious and passionate love and he desires that you know and experience that love today.
In an increasingly digital age, we do more and more things virtually. And while we can use technology to help us listen to the Bible in a Year or connect with likeminded Catholics, why is it we must receive the sacraments in person? Today, Fr. Mike reminds us that we are a body and that the Lord uses our physical humanity to do the work of healing and restoration like we receive in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
