The True, the Good and the Beautiful: A Lesson in Human Flourishing

Today Fr. Mike unpacks the three Transcendentals; Truth, Goodness, and Beauty, and why and how our hearts can be misled by emotion and feelings at times which distorts these fundamental realities.
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[@mattberg916]

As a lukewarm lifelong Catholic I wholly agree. I've been bitten by the Holy Ghost within the last year and my life is top to bottom changed. I very rarely listen to music anymore just for the reason of guarding my soul. It's amazing to me how all the changes in my life have been seemingly effortless. I was always a bit of a pig in my thoughts, never honored the Sabbath (other than Mass), indulged in all the filth of the internet and never thought about guarding my soul from anything. Now, I pray about 5 hours a day, fast daily and 100% on Friday, no work on Sunday very little media and I've never been more at peace even though I have been recently given a few crosses to bear. I adore Thee Most Holy Lord Jesus Christ!

[@andrewbangs9073]

Wow what a battle you got there bro

[@mattberg916]

@@andrewbangs9073 it's actually all been very easy, so far. I pray that when I am put to the test, by His mercy, I will not fail Him.

[@InExcelsisDeo24]

Do you possibly have a vocation Matt?

[@cozyhomemakingvibes]

Love C.S.Lewis. This is so true. We shape our conscience through what we spend time with. Thanks for this video. God used this ministry to help me find my way home to the Church. I was baptized Saturday. Thank you everyone at Ascension, for this and Bible in a Year. 💗

[@elizabetharr8551]

Welcome home! ♥️

[@cozyhomemakingvibes]

@@elizabetharr8551 thank you!❤️ Soo happy 😊

[@ellenrussell8005]

God bless you. Congratulations!

[@cozyhomemakingvibes]

@@ellenrussell8005 thank you❤️ God bless!

[@carla7657]

Welcome home!!! ❤️🙏🏽

[@BiornBear]

Father Mike, you make me think deeper about not just Christ but also my own self. Thank you for what you do. You are truly a man of God. God Bless.

[@ruthortega5822]

Excellent Father Mike. I never tire of listening to you and your wisdom. I desire to live a life of holiness and trust in the mercy of God. Help me to do that Blessed Holy Trinity. I trust in you 🙏.

[@vf6068]

Thank you Fr Mike. I just said a Hail Mary for you. Hope everyone who sees this video say a Hail Mary to protect this holy priest.

[@evangelinehoke5512]

Great take. Deleted social media for this exact reason. I’m done fighting the current by surrounding myself with depravity and expecting goodness from it. Not worth it and never was

[@mmut8602]

Yep! Decade ago that is why I got rid of cable. Why was I inviting that depravity into my home?

[@debrahollingsworth5534]

Psalm 101:3 "I will set no worthless thing before my eyes..." Excellent teaching! Yes, Fr. Mike! We must guard our hearts and minds. Many scriptures instruct us to do this.

[@theresemeggetto1220]

Reading CS Lewis’ amazing book The Screwtape Letters is truly an eye opener to how the Devil messes with our minds. There is so much in our world today that can look harmless. Our intellect tells us we can sift out the bad and ignored it BUT we are human… what we feed our senses with - eyes, ears, mouth, touch and smell if experienced often enough can soon become part of our hearts and minds. Good or bad. We need to watch out for our human PRIDE. As they say… Pride comes before the fall…. Thank you Fr Mike!!! I read The Screwtape Letters many years ago… I am definitely going to read it again, especially during these confusing and hard times. God Bless you and (‘Saint’) C S Lewis 😉

[@rabbster7]

How can we discern when we're being prideful when we're new to the faith and not used to discerning these things?

[@CRFSUIGENERIS]

I needed this message today. Feeling disillusioned by mirages. I believe in the purity of truth and goodness, not superficial entrancement. Thank you, Father Mike. We need to discerning.

[@beverlyhanlon8526]

You know when God 🙏 is with you., Ask God to come into your heart Jesus I love you...repeat it.

[@mmut8602]

YES!!!! We need to surround myself with things that are truly good and holy and beautiful.

[@arkofthecovenant6235]

Thank you Fr. Mike .I gave up popular Metal/ Rock and the bar scene and hav’t looked back. Coffee is my new drink of choice. So your words ring true to my ears. Thank u Fr ✝️+☕️

[@arkofthecovenant6235]

@@jayamburn1959 whats up. God bless!

[@arkofthecovenant6235]

@@jayamburn1959 Im good. Im not in chat to meet people but hey thanks for being friendly bye✌🏼

[@17CW68fNv]

This is so true. We are in need of guidance like this. Thanks for your teachings. So good. We do need to discern.

[@valbrand3018]

I started to watch my eye and ear gates going on a year & I never felt so much peace since consuming more if the Word instead. Thank You Lord!

[@beenabenny6772]

It's not a dump vedio. You said something very beautiful. Love your vedios. May God bless you to help us. Thank God for you.

[@ChildofGod98765]

Thank you for your message of encouragement. Please pray for me living with lupus and heart disease has it’s ups and downs. I’m in a lot of pain swollen joints, fevers out of nowhere and fatigue are just a few, because of my condition I declined the vaccine, and was fired over my decision. I was denied my medical/religious exemption from Forsyth hospital. Since than I’ve been struggling to provide for myself and my two autistic children. Every month is a struggle. My husband passed away three years ago, so I’m all alone. I have no family nor friends. My situation already has me down, I’m in constant fear we are going to end up on the streets. I’m so embarrassed because of my situation. I have no family nor friends to help me, I have been mocked and laughed at over my circumstances, but I have nothing but Faith that God will provide for me and my children.

[@trumpwon8972]

Watch the documentary called Fork Over Knives on KZbin or Netflix. It might help you with lupus and heart disease. Wishing you the best 💛

[@Ezekiel336-16]

If you haven't already, please reach out to your local churches and be at peace telling them your situation and asking for help. That also includes non Catholic Christians as well! The Body of Christ is here for you and yours because your part of our family, and many of us are happy to help once we know what's needed. If you have done this before and been discouraged or turned down, I am sorry, but please keep moving forward in that pursuit by being living prayer in action. None of us are meant to shoulder our (over) burdens alone! God WILL provide but you must seek it in faith and endurance. I have faith in Him through you and will pray for you right now! In Christ, Andrew

[@bgg7518]

Praying for you Mousey ❤

[@jimselimos4863]

Praying for you and for us all AMEN

[@ejegbavworuemu2129]

May the Lord be your strength and guide.

[@janetandrews1306]

Thank you Father Mike.

[@mcv5705]

Wowww. When he said, "I may know with my intellect that this (show, book, etc) isn't good, but I'm allowing myself to love that which is not worth my heart." So relatable. It reminds me of when my aunt said, "Everything either helps your salvation or it hinders it." So true in all circumstances. Even the catechism speaks on how grace can be granted by simply using objects according their proper use

[@jonathanjones906]

Really wonderful. Fr Mike is always excellent, but this was particularly good. Happy Easter, everyone.

[@delia1954ful]

Beautiful! Thank you Fr Mike for this lovely video. We need to be constantly reminded that our intellect and hearts must always be guided by truth, beauty & goodness. God bless you 🙏

[@eoinMB3949]

"For when understanding, unclouded by passion, acts freely and clearly, it is able to detect the truth and to penetrate into the evil which is hidden under a fair appearance and into the good which is veiled by a semblance of evil" (Spiritual combat - Lorenzo Scupoli).

[@KathleenBucher-y9i]

Awesome description, Fr. Mike! Thank you. 🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️

[@marymccannfrancis9855]

Amen Beautiful FR Mike Thank you God-bless you

[@jenniferpratt8883]

I love CS Lewus too. He explains complicated things so clearly. I can't speak highly enough of him. Hope to see him, Warny, Joy and all his family in heaven one day. Thank you for this Father. You explain complicated things clearly too. May God bless you abundantly 🙏🙏🙏

[@laineedunn4389]

Thank you, Fr. Mike…for speaking our Blessed Trinity’s Truth even when it’s tough!!! May God continue to bless you!!! 🙏💕🙏

[@kerwinfernandes9583]

Thank you, Father. God bless you, the team, and your families to become Saints. 😊🙏🏻❤

[@catherinemangham6901]

So so important! Thank you Fr Mike! Precisely because our hearts lead us so much these days… we have to keep them pure! God bless you!

[@yalidoletupua9530]

Thanks, Father! That was Truth, Good and Beautiful, Love and Prayers from Fiji

[@momscantu]

Thank you Fr Mike for telling us about CS Lewis. We should be on guard and discern our every action to seek what is good and beauty. I never thought of leading my heart by using the "Three Transendentals before. " God bless you and your ministry.

[@colleenlongua9752]

There's no such thing as talking too much about C.S. Lewis.

[@emiliasaeter8729]

Beautiful message. Thank you, Fr. Mike

[@michelleferrao8888]

Thank you Fr Mike 🌟 Always be strong in faith, and always be vigilant, so that we can be safe from the snares of the devil. Invoke your Guardian Angel he will enlighten and guide you. ~St Padro Pio Our life must be an Advent, a vigilant awaiting for the final coming of Jesus Christ🌻 ~St John Paul II

[@anneperaro9818]

God bless you Fr. Mike 🙏

[@brokendreamsandrevelations1193]

Telling me what I didn't know I needed to hear, as usual. Thanks!

[@AjayDonatusPrem]

This was much needed for me dear Fr. Mike... Love you and praying for your ministry. you are truly one good pastor. love you.

[@LOVEYOURSELF4WHO-U-R]

Father, it's funny I fell upon this video by happenstance after writing the following today in my journal: Okay there's kind of been a shift in the way I'm seeing things. In the faith it is wise to discern first and grow in the paths you see as good for your relationship with God. Water the things that nourish your soul and cut down or let dry the things that cut at the goodness of your heart. I'm starting to see a shift where things don't have to be spectacular at the start. To commit and be dedicated to something that merely feels so good but doesn't speak to the heart must be questioned and met with extreme caution because committing yourself to an overwhelming sense of happiness for a fleeting reward as time and commitment progress is a path of or a path toward sin and hatred. Simply in the music I listen to. Megan gave me the idea to cut out secular music last week and I've been listening to Christian worship instead. It started out as alright, not that good not that bad. Songs that would've repulsed me a year ago now start to have a place in my heart because it's not simply for the way the bass hits. I hear the words and the tone of the music that gives me a message. It's a tool that keeps me uplifted to have a joyful relationship with God and to praise his name. It fuels my soul and my heart and isn't a bandage to my emotions. In a similar way I see a way to begin to navigate my interactions, works, and leisure. I am beginning to see that it can pay off to take things slow with questions and observance and let the reward build which is commonly much stronger of a support toward building a powerful relationship with our creator and the ones around us. He's breaking the chains of my sins in a lifelong battle toward living gracefully in His will!

[@monicateleckisobolewski5844]

wow Father Mike. God help me to understand my role in this life. Jesus I trust in You. Thinking about keeping marriage which sunk us.

[@MiracleWorkerUK]

Write one Preaching of mine everyday and record and upload on youtube and share to all your contacts and send on all social media. You will be blessed from day 3..

[@BioFreak458]

Thank you Fr. Mike for this video. It certainly wasn’t a downer for me. Lately I have been just going about life with the intellectual assent of yeah I believe in the Catholic faith while letting my heart go where it wants thinking that as long as I know what is true my heart won’t be affected by what I encounter. Providing the parallel to Solomon was incredibly helpful to help shake me awake. Thank you

[@christinahidalgo7201]

Good morning Father Mike and thank you again for another powerful message 🙌🏼

[@zachmcelfresh]

Great Video Fr. Mike. God bless. 🙏🏻

[@francesstager997]

I am surely inspired to read C.S.Lewis!

[@katarzynanowicka2562]

God bless you Father you are amazing 👏 🙏 ❤️

[@miajane3878]

That's why I can't give up on my Catholic faith I walked away for a while to go to another denomination but thank God about 16 years ago he brought me back into a area where I had nothing but Catholic churches to go to and I was coming home Catholic thank God I ran home. After you don't a word of God daily day and night night and day it's impounded it's in betted in my head and in my mind and in my soul

[@chelledue1624]

Choosing the good. Thank you for this beautiful, important video 🙏🏻

[@jackimohr1]

Thank you for this. I had to break up with my bf today because he of my soul and he does not believe. I had to do this as God has given me so many blessings and protection the past two years, my vocation in life is to have my life light so much with the Holy Spirit that the fire from God, that others want to love God as I do. And I can’t love God above all if I’m putting someone who is pulling me down spiritually, in front of God. I cannot. So this video was another blessing from the Lord. Praise be to God and Fr. mike

[@jeanettegibbs9148]

Wow Father!I feel like you are speaking entirely to me,I’ve been away from the church for several years now,mostly because of Pope Frances,but also from the crooked media,I thought when I retired I would live in church but alas I’ve gone the other way! I have let the evil world distort my thinking ! You have set me thinking that I’m not alone and that even Solomon fell away! Thank you ,thank you ,Thank you and God Bless.

[@footprintsofthemoon3073]

I’m just finding all these videos. So, I watched another with Father Mike. On how we don’t ever lose our faith once we have it. We sometimes just lose touch with it/God. He did imply we could lose our salvation. I was brought up in a Protestant view of once saved always saved. Who believes what and why?

[@meihui7767]

Keep watching more Fr. Mike videos:)

[@noradsouza3673]

Excellent! Yes, I never thought of “heart leading”. Thanks.

[@sclabignate2298]

Truly thankful for God blessing me and directing me to this channel. God bless you 🕊🙏🏾✝️ #ironsharpeniron

[@carolhensen8005]

Great message, keep up the good word Father Mike ….I learn so much about the word of God, along the right choices from your podcast’s Thank you 🙏

[@alessioconnie]

You are so true!!!!

[@davidramirez2162]

Father I love your messages but i have one question. Who cuts your hair? You always stay looking fresh my G!

[@lostone982]

The mind is powerless against the heart, yet the will can speak to the heart and the mind can discern the Will (God’s). Then the heart can follow the true Will and the intellectual goes hand in hand with the heart to the Will, God!

[@peggys3267]

This is so good. Such a relevant video for the times we're experiencing.

[@johnnaizer1521]

Amen

[@enaukara6266]

Father, bless our marriage. 😢❤️💐

[@carmelidolorfino2394]

Please provide examples of distorted beauty and twisted truth.

[@wreloise1]

Dear Lord, Help! ABBA Father, I desire my heart and intellect to follow the One True God. “ Jesus, I trust in You!”

[@CB-zt7fn]

Fr Mike, you are a warm, engaging and inspiring priest! I have to ask though, why do you feel the need to dye your hair? I don’t get it! I assure you, you will be just as handsome with a little gray. Or, if you are dying it because you want to remain youthful in appearance, I will remind you of that “gray hair is a crown of glory…” There is wisdom in gray! You’ve earned it. Keep up the good work!

[@meihui7767]

How do you know Fr. Mike dyes his hair?

[@cielolelo]

#AskAscension Thank you for the lovely video 🙏🏼 Would you consider doing a video about choosing your child's name? If it's best to choose a biblical name, for example, or if certain biblical names are off limits because of the actions of the name holder (like the name Solomon). Thank you, God bless!

[@eduardohoover2127]

Solomon was never very wise. He listened to His Father's words on his death bed desiring for vengence and Solomon did it. Then he kills his brother over a woman after his mother intercedes for his brother. He orders a baby to be cut in half when the true tears of a mother in loss for a child is obvious given time to observe it. He is not wise. He lacks patience. May God give us wisdom which is true, good and beautiful as the Faith we share. I'm praying for you Fr. Mike to keep sending us great videos.

[@inesbarrera3638]

"beginning to love things that aren't worth my heart"

[@Ezekiel336-16]

In the spirit of C.S. Lewis, and making this far more simple, faith is a virtue because trust is a choice. We choose who and/or what to place our trust in, for good or for bad, and since faith=trust and virtue=choice, faith being a virtue is always true no matter who or what we are placing our trust in. Sadly, that also applies to those who serve the false kINGDOM as well, because the pRINCE of lIES will make us believe we are being virtuous (in the generally accepted, good, sense) by serving hIM and hIS ways. In Christ, Andrew

[@heatherthompson6343]

AMEN!!!

[@gristly_knuckle]

You know the thing is that I am really attracted to things that are beautiful. I laugh all the time, and I don't know what's funny. If I think about it, all I can remember is that Peter Pan says that every time a baby laughs a fairy is born.

[@neenutomi316]

From the book"Seven level of intimacy" by Mathew kelly # Human beings yearn above all else for intimacy. We desire happiness, and sometimes we confuse this desire for happiness with a desire for pleasure and possessions. But once we have experienced the pleasure or attained the possessions, we are still left wanting. Wanting what? Intimacy. Our desire for happiness is ultimately a desire for intimacy. If we have intimacy we can go without an awful lot and still be happy. Without intimacy, all the riches of the world cannot satisfy our hungry hearts. Until we experience intimacy, our hearts remain restless, irritable, and discontented.

[@anneperaro9818]

❤️🙏

[@MotherMarysProtection]

Amen 🙏🙏🙏

[@momcquinn]

Honest question - what do you do when the twisted and distorted thing is a person? How do you let that person go because they're destroying you and no matter what you do, they're causing you to sin, especially in anger?

[@jojo_mcelwee6591]

❤️

[@shreyajollyvellankal2681]

#AskAscension consecrated single life in Catholic Church

[@karinagbarros6301]

💓💓💓

[@n_communicates8030]

I wish I could talk to Fr. Mike right now, I recently got disowned by my own father. T__T

[@anneturner2759]

You’re true, good, and beautiful….. how’s your mom? Sending love.

[@Nobody-j9e]

Saint Luke 12:2-3 There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops.

[@istvan6856]

You most see it !

[@rufflesal]

I'm about to embark on a course in Chen style Tai Chi. My parish priest said it's ok as long as it's for my health development. I'm a little confused if I should start or not. What does everyone think? Wouldn't God help me succeed at it? Am I thinking too much?

[@MiracleWorkerUK]

Delay it to next month please and try this first for full month. Write one Preaching of mine everyday and record and upload on youtube and share to all your contacts and send on all social media. You will be blessed from day 3.

[@jld4870]

If you are wondering and asking that might be your answer? Health is mind body and soul-cannot separate them. 🙏

[@joanfrances830]

Hi Fr Mike..I have situation that I've been suffering for many years now. My husband has a personality disorder (he's diagnosed having narcissistic personality pattern/symptoms). My particular problem (among many others) that I desperately need help with or advice is this: my husband wouldn't give me personal money as his wife. I'm not asking much. I'm a very simple person and resilient. But each time I ask it turns into a big argument even though I would be the most polite and patient each time. So I just decided to stop asking to avoid suffering so much stress. My question now Fr Mike is, since I'm living with a psychologically sick person, and talking don't work, am I commiting a sin if I take small amount of money from my husband's wallet? (please assume that my needs are valid ) help please..thank you 🙏🙏🙏❤️

[@steve00alt70]

I want God to help find me a relationship its based on good and moral intentions but does God not meddle with love? can he send the holy spirit into people to increase the chances tho?

[@giap.6361]

💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💙

[@MiracleWorkerUK]

Free prayer requests service is now available here on youtube comments. Please reply to this comment and mention only the name of what you suffer. No need detailed explanation. I am a Catholic. Catholics, all Christian sects and any religion people are welcome with petitions and prayer requests please ..

[@dawnlapka3782]

You never know. Maybe CS Lewis might a Saint someday.

[@kelkabot]

Seems unlikely since he wasn’t a Catholic.

[@mk4091]

👍👍👍🙏🙏🙏

[@enaukara6266]

❤️😢😢😢😢😢😢❤️❤️

[@sean2662]

2:02 God's attitude in Job seemed like one of truth but it doesnt seem very beautiful or good to me. 3:30 Perhaps if I wanted to look at the story as a single image I could see God (mind - intellect) holding out a carrot on a stick to Job (heart )that he is beckoned to see and follow through his desirousness for it. In this image, Job is also the chariot that draws God closer to Jesus.

[@tonygombas491]

Can anyone tell me why is it that when I read the bible im not feeling anything am I bad person is there something wrong with me. Please don’t give me a thumbs up or down just give me something tell me what’s wrong with me.

[@meihui7767]

Keep reading

[@tinag7506]

Maybe you should look up what aridity is. Or the dark night of the soul. You feel as if you're not benefitting from any spiritual activity. You just need to wait it out. It has happened to many saints. Not uncommon.

[@tonygombas491]

@@tinag7506 thank you @ Tina G the description of the dark night of the soul is me I looked up it meant I feel so empty not in a bad way but more in a sad way I feel lost in a wilderness thanks again

[@julielee3532]

I have the same problem at times. I stop reading for a while or read and don't feel like I think I should. Just keep picking it back up when you put it down. Keep reading, even when you don't feel anything. God leads you where He wants you to be. None of us are perfect so just keep trying. Praying that you feel God moving in your heart.

[@tonygombas491]

@@julielee3532 thank you

[@evelynsanabria9857]

You mean confused God bless fr mike

[@adrianortegarojas1920]

About Adriàn Ortega Rojas, Vocational for The Priesthood in The Work of The Church, talk about I agree with Father Mike Schmitz at speaking about The Truth, The Beautiful and The Good, We know that Jesuschrist is The Way, The Truth and The Life, like Saint Augustine was looking for The Truth and then said, lately I know Jesuschrist, I think God created everything Perfect, and then God saved us Perfectly, but the man with the no of the creature to The Creator in the original sin distorted all The Divine Plans of God, it is the reason due to women and men bring the fallen nature of the original sin, We should combat and fight with Prayer, with The Sacraments, with The Confession and with The Holy Communion of God Father, to keep The Soul and body in An Equilibrium due to God is Divine Truth, God is Infinite Beauty and God is Infinite Goodness of God Father, God is All, sincerely Adriàn Ortega Rojas of God Almighty Father

[@katkat2340]

Distortion - is so destuctive

[@charleshayden7408]

C.S. Lewis is good; but J.R.R. Tolkien is the greatest of all time

[@mm7846]

No way, you MUST lead with intuition. That is God talking to you. Devil can mess with your mind.

[@ceciliamedeiros447]

Shocked to see that you got a tattoo.

[@lainey7595]

"in this day and age we don't think super clearly, but we feel so strongly", this is exactly what I'm struggling with at the moment.

[@nancyanderson697]

❤️

[@rosieroberts6738]

I love your enthusiasm about Christ!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!! ✝️🙏🕊✝️🙏🕊✝️

[@TJ1920]

Lord let me discern the truth in a world that has increasingly became distorted seek only goodness with an informed conscience and to know what if false when I see it

[@JuanMartinez-xl2oj]

Father Mike, I'd say you need a raise, but you've got the best retirement plan in all of the land! Thanks for your efforts in bringing us all along! I'll continue to pray for your Fortitude!

[@karenbliss5075]

So TRUE!!! We need to discern everything in this world. Evil can disguise itself as good, we always need to be on guard

[@Joe-dh2bf]

Interested to hear how this video pertains to something like aa and 12 step groups.

[@susandubanowich4527]

Please pray for me Ascension and Fr Mike. I started leading a Bible study for the first time and I’m kinda nervous (public speaking isn’t my thing lol)

[@msgoody2shoes959]

Ephesians 4: 2-5 With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit-just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call- one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

[@johnhealy4647]

This video fed my cynicism, His word cuts my heart, I want to withdraw not unlike a hermit. I think I've spent enough time in His word to "know" what I must do, but like you said, my heart is not with it; it's still caught up in the world and those I rub shoulders with.......