Fr. Mike Schmitz Reacts to The Chosen

Okay. I'm going to do this every time. Is it going to be like one of those? Hi, my name is Father Mike Schmitz and this is Ascension Presents. There's a Christmas tree behind me. It's not Christmas yet. It's set up in here because we're filming the Advent series that we did like last year. Last year was called Face to Face and this year upcoming.

The Advent series is called Waiting Well. And so stay tuned on that one. We had the I React to Confession in Movies a little while ago. And so they're like, hey, let's do another one. Let's do the TV show The Chosen. It's not a TV show because people don't watch TV.

Anymore the series the chosen not chosen your journey confirmation the chosen but Jesus and the disciples I've seen the show But I don't know what seems these are this one's called Mary Magdalene's return. Here we go Hands are a drink. Oh Jesus Touches her hand. Man. That's not for you. Don't touch me.

I'm paused. I'm so sorry. I need to like, just even that little in exchange, that's not for you. This is Jesus stepping in and saying, that's not going to make you happy. This is not going to give you the solution. This is not the answer to what you're looking for. That's what sin is, right? Sin is this grasping, thinking it'll make us happy.

Again, every sin is an attempt to be happy apart from God. And imagine that here's Jesus saying it's not for you. And your response is like, okay, I'm sorry, you're right, Jesus. Yet Mary Magdalene's response is, don't touch me, get away from me. That's us. That's us so many times. But we know there's something else going on, something deeper, something even more nefarious. I have to go. I'm so sorry. Apparently.

when someone has some demonic influence, that in the presence of holiness and the presence of holy objects, holy things, maybe most powerfully of the Eucharist, there is this, there is pain. And so this is Mary Magdalene who is experiencing that pain. She's in pain, though. Sin makes us be in pain. Leave me alone. You want to be alone. Isn't that the case? Like, just, like, don't look at me, because that's that sense of shame. He says her name.

Mary of Magdala. Who are you? How do you know my name? Thus says the Lord who created you. Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name. Oh my gosh, you guys, I hope they're not all like this. Okay, where do you start? She's going by a different name. Jesus says the name of Mary, which is going to be a callback later on, right after he rises from the dead. Sorry, spoiler. And she's in the garden tomb.

once again weeping. She doesn't recognize him. What's he say to her? He says her name. Father John Mercado said this in the Called podcast a little bit ago. He said, Satan knows our name, but he calls us by our sin. Jesus knows our sin, but he calls us by our name. By proclaiming our name, there's freedom. I called you by your name. Fear not. And that's just the thing for every one of us. My gosh.

Just not be afraid. Oh gosh. Okay. Here we go. Next one. Jesus walking on the water. Let's go to that. We're not getting anywhere. The winds are too strong. We should turn back. We can get there. Just keep rowing! Simon, it's the fourth watch of the night that we've been stuck in the same place forever! James! James! James! Are you all right, James? James, are you okay? That would be crazy. Like this. It's good. I... We have to get out here! Everyone go!

and now they're trying to get away from that the ghosts quote unquote that's not a ghost are you crazy I always wonder how they did pick this right like is Jesus on the very very surface in all the water I like that this you know he kind of go in Makes sense It is you!

Command me to come to you on the water. At this point when Peter says command that you come to me on the water I'm like that's ridiculous. No one would ever say that if it is you What is happening? I love how Jeff Cavins points this out. He always says that that this is a great example of

what it is to be a disciple. That a disciple is not just there to learn from the rabbi, not just there to kind of know what the rabbi knows, but also to do what the rabbi can do. And so here is Peter, who's a disciple. And he said, okay, Rabbi, if you're the really, that really is you. Command me to do what you're doing. Are you out of your mind? Seriously. If you are who you say you are, bid me to step out of this boat. Well, that's kind of a... You have the faith to walk on this water?

I don't know if I like this interaction. Like, you have the faith to do this. But I do like this now. You can do whatever you command. You command the water. Hold me. So it's faith in Jesus, which is good. You will step out in faith? I just don't know if I like this extra dialogue. Then why are you upset? Why are you chasing after Gentiles when your own people have problems right here? When your own person has problems? Interesting.

I've skipped this episode. I've never seen this before. So I'm piecing it together. And it turns out that Simon Peter is a little bit upset with Jesus for reaching out to non-Jews. And so here is this statement of, do you trust me? And I think I like this, I don't mind.

I don't mind. I don't mind this insertion of this because it gets a little couple more layers on the whole story where it's not just kind of this straightforward, then this happened, then this happened, then this happened. Like they would have been confused. You're asking.

You're not asking non-Jews. You're taking care of non-Jews. Wait a second. We've been oppressed by the Romans for how long? And you're taking care of them. Like, that doesn't make any sense. Or here, me and my wife. Here's Simon Peter, right? Me and my wife. We need help, but you haven't.

So I get it. I get it. And then, so Jesus is saying, but if you trust me, you trust me not just to walk on water. You're going to trust that what I'm doing is ultimately going to be fine. Right? Make sense? You weary and heavy laden. Would they tell him no? I don't know maybe. It does highlight the fact that it's a big deal. That's amazing. Do you still have faith? Why do you think I allowed trials? I don't know!

They prove the genuineness of your faith. They strengthen you. This is strengthening you. That is true. Faith is not tested, can't be trusted. Keep your eyes on me. Well, there we go. This is a good image. Good imagery, I like it. Back up on the water. I like that too, because it says he carries him back to the boat in Matthew 14. He carries him back to the boat. Here's something I really like. I do like the artist's additions in the sense. Why would Jesus invite Peter out onto the water?

It's not for show. It's not for razzle-dazzle kind of a situation. It would make sense that there are some other layers of maybe here's needing to purify.

or strengthen Peter's faith or purify or strengthen Peter's trust. I know it's additions, but I kind of like it. I don't know how to say that. We have the feeding of the 5,000. Next, what are we going to say here? I have two friends who are in this scene. Go and work in the vineyard today. And he answered. They were extras. I will not. But afterward, he changed his mind. And he went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered.

I will go sir. But did not go. Which of the two sons did the will of the father? The first! Like, that'd be great if people answered, hey man, you know, the first. People are like, when you know the answer, people just kind of nod and they like maybe hold up a finger. One, the first guy. At the bottom of my back.

Forgot it was in there. It's a little stale, but it'll do. You've been out here for days and you just discovered it? I've followed some men who told me we were coming to watch a fight. A fight? Everyone was just in such a hurry. That's really funny. That's awesome. Does anyone have any food? No. Food? Your name is Andrew, yes? Yes. Yeah, people showed up. They were the crowds.

They just came out because I hear that the preacher, the miracle guy is going to be out there. So here I am. I came out for a fight. I wanted to say thank you again. I'm not the one healed your father, but I can certainly. Pass that along. You've been asking about food? Yes. I want to share what they have. Something is... can feed one family. Thousands. I just wanted to do what I could. There you go. I must speak with my students a moment. Rabbi.

I wonder if they would do that, right? I wonder if they would interrupt the Sermon on the Mount. Or any sermon. So, give them something to eat without the food. I guess they have to conflate things, you know. Not conflate, but like, you know. Send them home, get things moving. Well, at this point, they're so hungry and tired. If we send them home, they're faint along the way. You knew they were hungry? Yes, Judith. I can see them while I'm talking.

See, he's a funny guy. Hmm. Well, this is a tough one. Where can we buy some bread for all these people? Such a British guy? We'd have to find a way to bring it back here, and it would still only feed a fraction of the masses. I've never seen this person. Can you bring me anything? I like how everyone's coming up with their own solutions. From someone, even a small amount.

Got five loaves and two fish here. Five loaves of bread and two fish. What good is this for so many? What is this for so many? Oh, I knew the line. What the heck, man? Barley loaves. Barley loaves. specific two fish and five barley loaves thank you for clarifying this is humiliating blessed are you lord our god king of the universe who brings forth bread from here

Right? That they find some bread. Feed them. Organize the people into groups of 50 and 100. Gather up 12 baskets to distribute those fish. Imagine how hungry they are and like completely... insecure, right? There's no place to get any food anywhere. Was that unclear? Like, oh my gosh. Hey, he's still the boss. Was that unclear? You're still the boss. You're the rabbi. You're the messiah. Marcus, you can have your basket back.

That's neat. I don't know. Next. Sometimes the little vocalizing in the background annoys me. But then again, it's fine. This is a taste thing. Look at Jesus and Little James. You're sending us out with the ability to heal the sick and lame. Yes, that is what you said. Yes. So you're telling me that I have the ability to heal. I find that difficult to imagine with my condition. Which you haven't healed. Do you want to be healed?

Yes, of course, if that's possible. I think you've seen enough to know it's possible. I need you to listen to me very carefully because what I'm going to say defines your whole life to this point. Okay, this is really good. This whole scene. This whole scene actually is very, very good. It's a slow burn. It's not quick reactions. Jesus, you're telling me I'm sending out to heal people, heal the lame. But look at me. But here's Jesus who says, you know it's possible. Do you understand?

In the Father's will, I could heal you. Right now. And you'd have a good story to tell, yes? Yes. That you do miracles. And that's a good story. There are already dozens who can tell that story. And there will be hundreds more, even thousands. But think of the story that you have, especially in this journey to come. if I don't heal you. To know how to proclaim that you still praise God in spite of this. To know how to focus on all that matters so much more than the body.

to show people that you can be patient with your suffering here on earth because you know you'll spend eternity with no suffering. Not everyone can understand that. How many people do you think the father and I trust this with? That's so good. Golly. I mean, again, this is a conversation that...

we don't have recorded in the Bible. We kind of give all the apostles a thing, right? You have James who has this, he's lame. You have Matthew who has what seems like some kind of version of autism or somewhere on the spectrum. Peter has his biceps. Thomas with the...

Remy, Rumi, the woman he loves, she loves him back. They give them all a little something, that dimension, and kind of tease out, here's what it would look like, or could look like. What if you were called to heal, but you weren't here self-healed? And I love Jesus' answer here in The Chosen.

It's not given in the scriptures, but here in The Chosen, where it's that sense of, do you trust me? You're giving witness by your faithfulness. You're giving witness by the depth to which you're willing to trust me. Can any of us come to that place and say, I still trust God? I see miracles. I see him healing the other people. Actually, here's James even being sent out to give healing in Jesus' name. But I'm not healed. The witness of someone who's...

able to be faithful even when they're not healed is, I would say, vastly more powerful than someone who can tell that story of, I've been healed by the Lord. And there are many people, it's just like Jesus says here. Many people who can tell that story, I've been healed by the Lord. Incredible testimony to God's power and providence and goodness. But I've met people, maybe you've seen them too, who remain unhealed.

but they trust God in their brokenness, and it's amazing. It's incredible. That's the invitation. Whether he heals or not, well, I trust him. This is The Call of Matthew. Next.

I think it's interesting. Jesus looks at everyone looks away. Jesus looks right at him. Turns around. Okay. Let's go. Let's go. Matthew. Knows his name. Once again. Matthew, son of Alphaeus. Yes. Follow me. Me? Yes, you. You want me to join you? Keep moving, street preacher. Do you have any idea what this guy's done? Yeah. Do you even know him?

Yes. I used to pray with the calling of Matthew all of the time. That sense of, okay, Jesus is, you know, I just want you to say, come follow me. I just want you to say, come follow me. And just to be able to be invited by the Lord who's like, no, no, I know who you are. And I want you to come after me. When I hear this or even watch this, what we can extend this to is this is Jesus who knows your name, who calls you. Come follow me. Listen, I said to you.

What are you doing? Where do you think you're going? Guys, let me go. It's dangerous. Dangerous to stand up to them. Quintus protects you. No Jew lives as good as you. You're gonna throw it all away Yes You didn't get it when I chose you either, but this is different. I'm not a text collector

Get used to different. Why would God want them? I'm glad he wants me. Like, I'm glad he loves me. I'm glad he's willing to forgive me. But he could never possibly call or love or choose someone else. And that's kind of what we sometimes believe.

Even if we don't say it out loud, sometimes that sneaks into our hearts. So that's the calling of Matthew. This one is the healing of the man at the pool. A Bethesda, my guess is. Here he is. John chapter 5. Jesus heals at the pool. Oh, gosh. Me? Yes. I have a question for you.

okay i love how jesus is so chill you think that like you want to play this role with like this gravitas right this heaviness this weight because it's you're playing the incarnate second person of the trinity but i love how jonathan rummy plays jesus is kind of like hi do you want to be healed gosh what a question who are you we'll get to that later see that kind of thing we'll get that Ah! Will you take me to the water? Look, I'm having a really bad day.

Oh yeah, because in this, oh, you've had a bad day for a long time. So you probably know that's not right from the Bible. One of those questions is from the Bible. Do you want to be well? But there's this thing called Ignatian prayer and in Ignatian prayer. based off of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. You enter into the scripture. You invite the Holy Spirit to kind of baptize your imagination.

So you take the content of scripture and tradition and teaching of the church, but you enter into that scene and kind of like tease out some things. You can interact with the people who are in that scene. You can kind of like, that's what Dallas. Dallas Willard? Dallas Willard does, it's all Lectio, it's all Ignatian prayer. So cool. From scripture. The others stepped down in front of me. And so, look at me. Okay, gosh, I'm so sorry I keep doing this. Number one, here's the guy.

And he's heartbroken, right? Because he wants to do this. He's been sick for a long time. If you've been sick for a long time, you know that feeling. That's also why Jesus, I think he's asked that question, do you want to be well? Because sometimes, and this might not be you, but sometimes we get so... used to being stuck. We get so used to being sick. We get so used to like our plight, our situation in life. That's who I am.

That's my identity now. And Jesus is saying, do you want to be well? Is that question breaks through. Are you willing to let things change? Are you willing to have a new day? Are you willing to let him do something? For some reason, my mind just turned to someone who is addicted to alcohol, for example.

Freedom is possible. Sobriety is possible. Whatever the addiction is, it's possible. I mean, think about this. There are thousands of people, if not millions of people, who have been addicted to anything. And they've experienced sobriety. When they got to that place of like, I am powerless in the face of my addiction. I need to rely on God himself. But why not you, right? That sense of like, why not you? Do you want to be well? Isn't it interesting?

He could be in on himself and saying like, well, I want to get to the water, but they all get there before me. He's the one who's the victim, right? He's aggrieved by the fact that other people also want freedom. They also want healing as opposed to saying,

What can I do? He's pointing out, here's what everyone else around me has been doing. So that's why Jesus says what? He says, no, no, look at me. Ah, our temptation, twofold. Look at ourselves and feel sorry for ourselves or look at someone else and blame them. Golly. And here's Jesus. Look at me. Look at me. Twice. That's not what I asked. I'm not asking you about who's helping you. Or not helping you. Or who's not helping. Or who's getting in your way.

I'm asking about you. I've tried. Oh, man. Right? Go back to the sobriety thing. I tried getting free. I tried not drinking. I tried not looking at porn, whatever the thing is. I've tried this before and it's not working. Why? My guess is because you tried without me, Jesus says, for a long time.

But here, oh, but God's compassion, right? You don't want false hope again, I understand. But this pool, it means nothing. Yeah. And you know it. You don't need this pool. He wants freedom. He wants healing. You only need me. That's it. So... Do you want to be healed? Pick up your mat and walk. See, here's John who's taking out his pen and quill. We would take out our phones. Like, watch this. Check this out. Imagine. That's amazing. And the joy. The joy.

When encountering Jesus, being healed. So he knows the sadness and enters into the sadness, not afraid of the sadness. But also here, as he's healed and joyful, here's Jesus depicted as entering into the joy. And there's something about that that's just so good. Oh, man. Good job, Peter. I think that was Matt.

Why does this matter? Because you're not coming back here. That life is over. Here is Peter reminding him, like, no, you're not coming back here. You're not coming back. There's a new life. So that was some reactions to The Chosen.

Hope it was interesting for you. It was interesting for me. It took a really long time because there's some long scenes. Here's my last thought. I have always thought of this, The Chosen, as kind of like watching the trilogy of The Lord of the Rings because... From now on, Frodo looks like Elijah Wood. And from now on, Aragorn looks like Viggo Mortensen. Legolas is that one? Paris? Paris?

whatever his name is. And same thing with scripture. From now on, I think for a lot of people, Jesus's interactions could look a lot like Jonathan Rumi's. nuanced take on Jesus' interactions. Or are Dallas Willard's, like, writing down Dallas Willard? No, what's his name? Dallas something. The author's interpretation. Which, again, you gain some stuff and you lose some stuff.

But ultimately, if that helps us to enter more deeply into Ignatian prayer, it helps people enter more deeply into going past just the surface of the words, I think that's overall a win. My reactions from all that's here to Ascension Presents. Ascension Presents, my name is Father Mike. God bless.