Homilies preached by Fr. Mike Schmitz, Chaplain for the University of Minnesota-Duluth Newman Catholic Campus Ministry and host of The Bible in a Year.
Homily from the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Do not give away what has real value for counterfeit happiness.
There are many idols in our lives that promise the happiness that only God can give. The counterfeits of Wealth, Power, Pleasure, and Fame have taken all that people have and left them with nothing. Jesus gives us a new way to live...that actually leads to authentic happiness.
Mass Readings from February 1, 2026: Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13 Psalm 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-101 Corinthians 1:26-31Matthew 5:1-12a
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, 17Matthew 4:12-23 or 4:12-17
Homily from the (week in Church year.)
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Mass Readings from {Month} {Date}, {Year}: First Reading PsalmSecond ReadingGospel
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 10:34-38Matthew 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, 5-6Matthew 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 4:4-7Luke 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 3:12-17Matthew 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 1:1-6John 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 1:1-7Matthew 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 5:7-10Matthew 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 be present to Him. Mary's unique "yes" reminds us to stop waiting and to respond to God's already-given grace with a wholehearted and immediate "yes".
Mass Readings from December 8, 2025: Genesis 3:9-15, 20 Psalm 98:1-4Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12Luke 1:26-38