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 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-10Matthew 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 5:12-19Matthew 4:1-11
Homily from the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Jesus didn't give us a new weight to carry, but a new way to carry the weight.
We all have things that we NEED to do. When we show up knowing that we are doing what God has asked, there is the necessity to also do what God has asked us to do the WAY God has asked us to do it…with love.
Mass Readings from February 15, 2026: Sirach 15:15-20 Psalm 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-341 Corinthians 2:6-10Matthew 5:17-37
Homily from the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jesus, do not let what You did for me end with me.
To have been given all that one needs...and then to not use it would be a tragedy. We are surrounded by the tragedy of wasted potential. But this doesn't have to be the end of our story.
Mass Readings from February 8, 2026: Isaiah 58:7-10 Psalm 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-91 Corinthians 2:1-5Matthew 5:13-16
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