"Face to Face: Incomplete" | The Second Sunday of Advent (Fr. Mike's Homily)

[@kelkabot]

Happy Fiftieth Birthday to Fr. Mike on Saturday!

[@allisgrace1313]

Happy Birthday Father Mike!!

[@musicianwren9248]

Happy milestone birthday to Father Mike! 🎂 🥳 🎉 My mom will be 80 on Dec. 15 -- the third Sunday of Advent!

[@lynn143]

Happiest Birthday Father Mike!!!!🎉

[@cindyschuerr7366]

Happy Birthday, Fr. Mike!

[@AnnetteCdeBaca]

Happy belated birthday Fr. Mike! May God almighty continue to bless you abundantly and may you continue to be a blessing to those around you and those who listen to you!

[@artspade1033]

God's finishes what we can't. A wonderful comfort.

[@davidpark4344]

Fr.Mike, Being a priest is your super power, and you do it well. Thank you for using the grace given to you to help all of us. I love your spirit. God Bless you.

[@squidward66]

This is a really fascinating homily. I now have a deeper sensitivity regarding human weakness and limitations, greater compassion for those who have fallen prey to addictions, and shame to realize that I had been assuming that I can stay faithful by my own sheer determination. Glory to God in the highest. 🙏

[@jethsy223]

Lord, help me trust in your love and your goodness. I have failed in so many ways and I feel too broken and unworthy to face God. But this message gives me hope, and strength to keep trying. Thank you Father Mike. You don't know how much you're helping me. Please pray for me. 🙏

[@MichaelKennedy-e3x]

jethsy223 You are not alone! Many of us feel unworthy of God's love and mercy! Ashamed of ourselves is repenting for our sins! Jesus came for us! Not the just! Thanks be to God! Let us not give in to the works of the evil one! God loves everyone of us and wants us to turn to him and ask forgiveness!🙏 GOD BLESS!🙏

[@thienpool]

O.O Eucatastrophe - I just realized I experienced a Eucatastrophe in 2019, when the man I was in love with, who I was living with, kicked me to the curb empty handed, with an empty pocket after I attempted su!c!de , but my brother and his now wife found me and took me home, back to my family, and I was lead back to church, I went to confession again, received the Eucharist for the first time in a handful of years, and now I'm a Lay minister. I was driven to rock bottom, but thanks to that, I was returned to The Church. Thank you for giving me this realization, Father. God Bless.

[@MariaRodriguez-r1o5h]

👏👏🙏🏻✝️⛪️

[@barbarawalsh2875]

PS. I read the Lord of the rings in high school in 1970. I was madder than a wet hen when Frodo didn’t throw that ring into the cavern. I still have the books. I have gone back and read them several times. I thought it was interesting the way you wove it all in there today. It’s also amazing how each time I’ve read them at a different stage in my life. I found different and new meaning still didn’t like the end. I have never been someone who loved well. I am by my very nature very hard to love. I don’t mean to do it. It’s not intentional. It’s just my personality thank God he will help me.

[@ruthortega5822]

Thank you, Father Mike, for this most awesome homily and for being the best disciple sent from God to increase our faith. I am inspired every time I hear your homilies. Your faith and mercy shows in every word you speak. You are great!

[@ginacc1999]

Very encouraging, thank you. What I learned from Lord of the Rings is that God uses us all. And that the mercy we show always is returned to us, very often in ways that God allows us to see.

[@mrss4328]

I'm pretty smart but I feel really stupid that I have tried to read this books a couple of times and I don't understand them. I'm going to watch the movies and see if that helps.

[@Mary-t9r9e]

OMG! I'm speechless! I can't even tell you how much this homily hit me and touched my soul more than any homily I've ever heard in my entire life!!!

[@carolynalameida709]

God's Grace is enough! Wow, lots to reflect upon, but knowing God's grace is truly all I need, as long as I give God my yes, I have a chance.

[@sstadlbauer1]

If you want Him to win, He will win. ❤

[@MikeSchmitz-b8r]

Thanks for your love and support ❤ May the Good lord bless you always.

[@TheMinniemal]

Happy birthday Father Mike, this is my favourite homily from you! God bless!

[@carmencalvo2047]

Thanks Father after so many years in desolation,today the Holy Spirit spoke to my soul througt your wisdom: very simple and very clear. English is my seco de language and I understand every thing you preach by God's grace. Thanks again and again.

[@stephaniegrippo2261]

I recently learned about the Litany of Let Love. It’s not a coincidence. It’s right in line with Fr. Mike’s homily too. I encourage everyone to make this a daily prayer this Advent. 🙏❤

[@kikijoseph3360]

Powerful as usual 🙏Happy birthday to you Father Mike , you are in our prayers 🎉🥳

[@donaldmullins6582]

Thank God for Fr. Mike. May God keep him humble, and guide him to teach only what Jesus desires.

[@littlebutterflii]

St. Mark Ji Tianxiang, Pray for us!! What a hopeful and inspiring life of a beautiful saint!!

[@JenevieveLCameron]

❤ thanks Fr Mike. Listened this morning on way to mass to join in the Rite of Welcome/ Acceptance. Perfect message thank you for all you do. Bless the Lord! 🙏

[@julieCA58]

Welcome!

[@suedigg]

i needed this today. so fabulous , i sent it to my young adult sons !! so grateful for your ministry.

[@bobkurland186]

Thanks again for an inspiring homily, Fr. Mike...It's time to do my annual read of the Lord of the Rings, and now I have a new lesson from it.

[@lukasandisaaktime9147]

All I had to hear were: God, Fr. Mike AND "Lord of the Rings" and here I am. No doubt this will be a good one! 🙏❤😊

[@risingaboveyoga8944]

Blessings and happy birthday Father Mike🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️💒

[@Franciscan2006]

Fr Mike thank you so much for opening our hearts and helping us be vulnerable with our Lord! I am nothing without Him, and I Love Him ❤

[@davidstuchly9792]

❤thanks Fr. Mike a beautiful and inspirational homily even for us addicts 😊

[@HerminiaSantos-tu1gw]

Yes Father at times all the preparations for Christmas turns stressful! I need to remind myself of the real preparation I must do.

[@vitoriamorenacarvalho]

"If you want him to win, he will." ❤

[@sarahkarbassi7194]

Thank you Father Mike! I really needed this today.

[@MikeSchmitz-b8r]

Thanks for your love and support ❤ May the Good lord bless you always.

[@thienpool]

I still feel shame, I still feel that I am undeserving, but Thank You Father, I pray God will give me the grace to always believe that HE is Enough, I just have to allow Him to do his thing with me. I Just have to Let Love. Amen

[@idakate7]

If anything is up to me it will not work. I cannot fix my sins and mistakes. Jesus is my only hope.

[@venomousnemesis7027]

Thank you so much for this Father.

[@JesseBobtheBUILDER-w6z]

AMEN 🙏 if you want him to WIN he will!!! GOD 👑 BLESS

[@shotokanfl]

Love this message for out of Love we dare to try and depend on the Lord to make us Holy. For we cannot do by ourselves for we are broken and weak, but as Scripture says: "I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me." In min 22, Father says the Lord made him a saint with his addiction, much like St. Paul who had a thorn in his side and 3 times he prays from it to be removed from him, and yes! he too was denied: For His Grace is sufficient! Paul can give us a unique testimony as someone who believes even though he hasn't been healed. St Paul can praise God, focus on things more than his body (worldly things), and demonstrate patience in suffering on Earth.

[@mariodelacruz9052]

Wow beautiful sermon ! Just wow

[@oliverclark5604]

My task in love is incomplete until shared with at least one other person.

[@chrisherrera3042]

I love you father Mike! Thank you for your love of God!

[@pries550]

Absolutely love the LOTR reference! Thanks Fr. Mike!

[@janefosha7847]

Thank you for this outstanding and helpful homily! I have experienced a professional discouraging "eucatastrophe". It turned out not to be the disaster I thought it was. "If you want Him to win, He will." And He did.

[@TeacherMark-gb1bc]

Thank you for sharing Father Mike. That was a heartfelt reflection. Grace indeed.

[@joannespenst1607]

Thank you for your prayer today. 🙏🏻

[@carolyncaron3097]

Happy birthday Fr Mike!

[@linda.pvangapandu8917]

I really look forward to your videos! You explain everything so well! And you help me reach a better understanding! I love 💗 our Catholic faith! And I love ❤️ that God chose you to do his beautiful work and to spread the gospel of the good news! And to reach out to the lost and confused and the broken 💔 hearted. And God helps you spread the message of LOVE which Jesus did say that, that was most😊 important! Thank you Father Mike Schmidt! May you stay humble and may God continue to encourage you to do his work! And may he bless you and your family abundantly! And I pray that Ascension Presents continues to make more content 🙏 So many can be helped and blessed by God's love, mercy and his forgiveness 🙏🙌😊

[@estellegerber4510]

Always enjoy your message.

[@topropesavage150]

God bless you Father Mike. I needed this homily so much. Pray for me.

[@ChristineBrintnall]

Thank you God for Father’s homily touched me in reminiscing of my kids growing up and the one who we is estranged and hurting. Please God help us all, Trusting in the undoing of our knots through Him and his mother

[@clarissaviens5778]

Thank you for this insight! I know the story of Frodo well and never thought of the ending in this light! "Even the wise can not see all ends."

[@MikeSchmitz-b8r]

I appreciate all your efforts and support on my ministration. may God bless you abundantly for listening.

[@StaceyLynne9763]

This one brought me to tears. God is so good!

[@tam532]

Thank you for you ministry to addicts. I love so many of them.

[@diannegazzola1957]

Thanks!

[@BichPham-xy4de]

Pastor, your messages are like a warm hug from God. I listen to them daily to keep my faith strong. 🙌❤

[@vivianbunch911]

Amen! This was very helpful to me. Thank you Father.

[@joannc147]

Inspired….and INSPIRING! 🙏🏻 Thank you, Fr Mike.

[@sarahtafoya1034]

Thank you ❤

[@janedesmarais1674]

God Bless You, Fr. Mike! Incredible sermon! Thank you

[@lisajoseph6868]

So much hope and grace packed into this ❤. Thank you Father. May the Lord guard and protect you and may you continue to spread His truth 🙏

[@blancarosaalvarez8211]

Thank you Father Mike for these wonderful and deep reflections!!! From shame to trust. Great examples to understand better the Word of God and to prepare to meet him.

[@diannegazzola1957]

Allow God what He needs to do I hope that at the end of my life I can remain with Him and His Holy Mother. I am far from perfect but I do know He is the One that matters.

[@miawilliams8496]

I needed to hear this; that even those suffering from Addiction can be so good at heart. I need to see that in those closest to me. I pray they find a relationship with our Lord so they may realize it, too. God loves us even in our brokenness and we are all broken in some way.

[@17CW68fNv]

Thank you, Fr Mike. He was stronger in his addiction, to help those around him, than he would have been if he was still suffering his ailment. Fr Mike, have a great birthday! God Bless you in all you do. Claire.

[@periclescimon9954]

Thank you Father Mike

[@mariechong9109]

I praise and thank the Lord for gifts of clergy and religious brothers and sisters especially my parish priests and Father Mike Schmitz who shared their lives for bringing us closer to Jesus ❤

[@byrnedegrandpre8884]

Awesome - again - Fr. Mike. Thank you.

[@Nineveh29]

I studied the desert fathers for many years. They thought 3 days was the minimum needed for repentance and how you do at the end through one's last breath was how God would find us and judge us.

[@rubenshernandez1760]

To know that we are all weak and fail over and over but Our Father holds us on his hands... Thank you Father for your Mercy and unconditional Love! ❤

[@JoanPrzada]

Thank you Fr Mike for your powerful homily. It went straight to my heart and gave me such hope in the midst of all my failure. Praise be my savior Jesus Christ forever.

[@immaculatelum5102]

Amen, thank you father Mike

[@janebernard3255]

Amen and Amen. Thank you Father Mike.

[@lucysmith5187]

Amen!❤ thank you Father Mike!!!

[@blancaocana6397]

Thank you so much for this beautiful story of faith and love. 😢

[@Harv300]

Good homily. 🫡 🇻🇦

[@dianneanello2937]

Father Mike, you give me so much hope. God Bless

[@aaronlanda8077]

Thank you, I needed this 🙏

[@orbeuniversity]

Personal Notes: 19:08 St. Mark Ji Tianxiang

[@Bkenda05]

This message is so encouraging!

[@felixsantamaria2648]

AMEN

[@Sam-el6hq]

What exactly is advent? I’m new to the Catholic faith and learning about it. Trying to understand the beliefs and practices. I got a Catholic study Bible and a few more books on it. Some rosary beads as well. I have been to church before and own many Christian bibles but never felt welcomed if that makes sense and the more I study the devotion of the Catholics the more it appeals to me. 🙏 📿

[@empackmanmueller1725]

What Is the Meaning of Advent? Within the Catholic faith, the season of Advent holds profound meaning. It serves a twofold purpose: Preparation for the Birth of Christ: Advent is a time to prepare our hearts and minds to celebrate the arrival of Jesus. We reflect on the Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament, their fulfillment in Jesus our hope (1 Tim. 1:1), and thus the mission of salvation he’s given to us as members of the one Church he founded. A Call to Conversion: It’s also a season of introspection and renewal. The liturgical color purple reminds us of our imperfections and the need for repentance. By acknowledging our shortcomings, we open ourselves to God’s grace and prepare ourselves to receive the gift of Christ. Also, penance-such as through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving-helps us quiet and discipline our hearts for the joy of Christmas (see Catechism 1434). In that light, without an Advent fast it’s harder to prepare for a Christmas. In essence, this season is a bridge between the past, present, and future. It allows us to look back on the hope for the Savior of the World, experience anew the joy of his arrival and also his reign in the present through his Church, and to prepare ourselves for his glorious return at his Second Coming.

[@Sam-el6hq]

@ Thank you so much for this 😊 🙏

[@larrys4383]

I think you have already been given a perfect answer to your question in a previous reply, but I thought you might find it helpful to view Fr. Mike’s homily from last week titled, “Face to Face: Couch Cushions” The first Sunday of Advent. He gives an explanation similar to the one you received in an earlier comment. I hope you have a fruitful Advent.

[@elizabethbreckenkamp8462]

​@empackmanmueller1725 wow! Your response is 100% accurate and clear. Thank you!

[@linda.pvangapandu8917]

The Advent season is a time for preparation that directs our heart and mind to Jesus Christ's second coming at the end of time. And it leads to the anniversary of our Lord's birth on Christmas. During Advent we should be reading the Bible. Spending time in the word of God. And celebrating Jesus's birth by living the way Jesus has shown us how to live our life. We should be charitable. And helping those in need. We should be singing praises to God like Christmas songs. Looking at Nativity scenes. Things like that! I love 💗 being a Catholic! I pray that you will learn so much and love building a relationship with Jesus! I'm so glad that you decided to get to know our Catholic faith! I pray that God will bless you abundantly! 😊

[@HerminiaSantos-tu1gw]

Learned from a comment here it's your birthday on Saturday! So wishing you Fr. a happy b,lessed day! Thanks for your very helpful reminders on the spiritual life!

[@JonathanReichel]

Damn that was good!

[@debbiegraham5585]

Thank you, Fr. Mike

[@faustynaLee]

Amen🙏🏻

[@bmcm5443]

Always bring me to tears of Joy and love ❤️

[@b8akaratn19]

I loved this week's homily (last week's was difficult to rewatch because of talk about the DRC) - "eucataclysm" & details on Tolkein's thoughts on Frodo's conclusion were so great!! Thanks for another wonderful Mass, Father, and ... may Newark treat you good! (Try a porkroll, egg, and cheese on a hard roll if you can, while down there!) 🙏💙❣️

[@MisMariaRosee]

I highly recommend to everyone the book: Your Life Your Game by keezano 🙌 I read it, and it truly changed my life. It shows how connecting with God and your inner self can lead to spiritual growth and financial success. A must-read... God bless! 🙏

[@nathanngumi8467]

Amen. 🙏

[@rozaSkroza]

*such gift* 🥹✨🤍

[@jamiefaith834]

Wow, amen

[@doracawley8355]

Wow!!❤

[@FelipeCastro-rf25]

I was homeless, did drugs, went into prison, where I got to know God. He changed my life. Now I have a home, a wife and a lovely year old daughter (zoe), and a stream of income that gats me $47,000 monthly. Plus a new identity - a child of God, Hallelujah!!!🇺🇲❣️♥️❤️

[@LiliaLara-g2]

Glory be to God

[@0612freedom]

Scammer!

[@rainastor4789]

You add this story or a similar one to every one of these. And to other religious broadcasts too. I am convinced you are a scam and just preying on people. Without even looking at the comments I can predict someone else saying "Yes Kathleen has helped me too (sometimes it is "Kate") and it's all just a set up. May God Himself remove you if you are preying on people who are trusting.

[@jenniferfox8382]

This is so frustrating. I mean it's wonderful for you that you've recovered and have all these things but it's frustrating for so many of us So many of us have gone through trauma and suffering yet, we never got the partner, the house or the great career. And whenever I hear these things it makes me feel like God just doesn't love me, like me, or for some reason wants me to lose out on those things. I know it's not your fault and you don't know God's will, but whenever Christians talk about all the stuff they got in life because they started believing it makes me, and I know many others, just feel even worse because God just passed us over. All those miracle stories just make me want to stop praying.

[@donaldmullins6582]

​@@jenniferfox8382 Maybe God wants you to be tested, to see if you will still praise Him, and then as a sign to inspire other's faith.

[@paholaangeles1412]

watch out.. two smart watches haha! Great homily father! (:

[@Mariaschild]

Waoo there are just way too many things that are incomplete in my life. My parents always remind me. But then, I adore yeshuah, may his will be complete in my life. I say is I am 00000000.... But he's my 1 and that's all matters

[@suzannemoloney9465]

This is an awesome homily. My baby brother Joseph is being ordained on your birthday fr Mike

[@GinGyAustin]

🙌🙌🙌🇺🇸l was homeless, did drugs, went into prison, where I got to know God. He changed my life. Now I have a home, a wife and a lovely year old daughter (zoe), and a stream of income that gats me $47,000 weekly. Plus a new identity - a child of God, Hallelujah!!!🇺🇸❣️❤️❤️

[@Willi-h7u]

Hello, how do you achieve such biweekly returns? As a single parent i haven't been able to get my own house due to financial struggles, but my faith in God remains strong.

[@Alixander-d6o]

I'm inspired. Please spill some sugar about the biweekly stuff you mentioned

[@GinGyAustin]

Thanks to God, my daughter who introduced me into the digital market. Moreso, thanks to Ms *Kathleen Mary Vella*

[@GinGyAustin]

It is the digital market. That's been the secret to this wealth transfer. A lot of folks in the US amd abroad are getting so much from it, God has been good to my household Thank you Jesus

[@RuthHarkcom]

This is a definition of God's unending provisions for his people. God remains faithful to his words. 🙏 I receive this for my household

[@estellegerber4510]

❤

[@britaahonen1489]

SHU-UP...

[@suzannemoloney9465]

Tolkien went to latin mass at my church The Oratory in Birmingham England

[@sassypatty2666]

Don’t forget about the role of Samwise! ❤❤❤

[@thimygonzalez8838]

💙🙏🏼

[@annlatz6363]

Fr. Mike, I have been following you through the Bible and the Catechism and all your pod casts. You have so many good things to say and limited time. BUT, I have a hearing loss and hearing aids and sure wish you would slow down in your new Advent series, Today on “Holy “ does not mean “Perfect” with Sr. Miriam was more than I could cope with.

[@meihui7767]

You can slow down the play back speed by press the gear sign

[@rosetocreation]

"Do not let anyone lead you astray. “Bad company corrupts good morals.'” 1 Corinthians 15:33 "If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work." 2 John 1:10-11

[@CrankyGrandma]

Sam is the hero of Lord of the Rings🙂