What REAL Faith Looks Like

We must place our faith in Christ in order to allow him to save us. But what does it actually mean to have faith? What does it look like? Does it mean you just "agree" with everything Jesus and his Church say? Or is it deeper than that?
Today, Fr. Mike draws a sharp distinction between faith and mere "agreement", and calls us to a more radical trust in our savior.
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[@RCardone82]

Everytime, Fr. Mike, you put understanding into place. Im currently a homeless alcoholic, 41 years old, but im not giving up. God has been in my corner the whole time. Your word, plus God and Christ's power...the Spirit is with me, and i know that my experience will help another up the "mountain." Thank you for your work. One. Day. At. A. Time.

[@gemmacromack7839]

Praying for you, may God touch you with his healing hands 🙏❤

[@sires6]

You got this. I'm praying for you

[@kt5137]

I am praying for you! My brother is a non recovering alcoholic and he is violent. I am so rooting for you!! Hang in there do not give up. This too shall pass. You are not in control. Serenity always!

[@purpleorchidstudios9921]

you got this bro! praying for u ❤

[@kimberlyhager1351]

Does anyone know how this person is doing ??

[@oliviafrancia-ty7ry]

This made me cry. The enemy has been attacking my faith because i have battled mental illness. God has upheld me the entire time despite what my mind is doing, I go to Mass and Confession because of His outstanding grace in my life. He has carried my weight and protected me in the valley. I'm so glad faith is not some fuzzy feeling. Because those of us with mental illness would be in so much trouble. God even protects us as we surrender surrender Him. However, our surrender often. Comes after torrents of Grace from His heart.

[@imherwerdio6852]

I suffer from generalized anxiety, depression, and effects of autism spectrum disorder, and am a recent reconvert to the Faith. I would suggest invoking St. Dymphna as well as learning more coping skills like I've had to do, though I'm still far from perfect and have a rather long way to go in terms of totally managing my illness. I hope you're doing okay and getting whatever you need.

[@ChildofGod315]

Love, compassion, and prayers are all we truly need in this world. Please pray for me. As a single mom, things have been tough on me. My husband passed years ago. I’m all alone. Both of my sons are autistic. I’m just overwhelmed. Father God hear my prayers. Since covid I’ve been struggling to support my children and myself but my faith in GOD is still strong! Like many others. I lost my job for declining the vaccine. I’ve been struggling since. I declined because of my health conditions lupus, and heart disease. Since losing my job I’ve been waitressing I love it but I’m not making nearly enough to to get by. Even as I constantly struggle to pay my rent. And I constantly struggle to provide groceries for my sons! I’m choosing to keep faith. Walking with faith is the most important thing us christian’s must do. So as I struggle I Thank you Heavenly Father and I thank you Jesus I will keep faith! I know a blessing is coming! ❤

[@jenniferwinston7842]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Praying for you. Call your local church pastor or deacon to see if there's some way they can help. You're not alone. Do everything and offer everything as a gift to Jesus....even your daily work and struggles. Take every breath and every step for Jesus. Your life will change. Trust in Him. Reach out to your catholic community. We need community

[@I-am-CC]

Oh my goodness. My heart goes out to you. I will pray for you. Please ask for help from the church or your community. I really do hope that you keep the strength and faith. God Bless you.

[@melissapettinger4581]

I feel for you and hope that you have a St Vincent de Paul that can assist you. I will pray for you🙏

[@edfroelich6528]

It is such a blessing you have been given Father Mike. You make understanding God so much clearer than anyone i have heard. You have helped me grow in my Faith and try to be a better person. Thank you.

[@JinglehiemerSchmidt]

Especially that beat box. 😅 God bless you FR Mike

[@meihui7767]

Amen

[@KathoMama]

Amen!

[@chrisnorcutt9060]

People Why Do You Think The Catholic Church Is Using Father Mike , Money, Money, Money and These Same People Are Living Better Than King’s & QueensAll Over Europe,Floors Cleaner Than Hospitals Everything Made Of Gold & Perilous Stones , You People Have Your Heavens and God’s Here On Earth You Kiss Your Pope’s Hands & Feet As God , My Wife & My Self Only Bow or Kneel Down To Our Heavenly Father In Heaven, We Kneel Down To No Pastor’s , Priests Or Pope’s Because They Are Men Not To Be worshipped Ill Rebuttal The Scripture’s With All Of You put Together Because None Of You People Read The Gospel Of Jesus Christ 👍🙏,

[@dawnlapka3782]

Amen: "I agree." Hallelujah: "I'm excited about my Faith." Thanks Father Mike Schmitz. ❤❤❤

[@jamesdelap4085]

"The problem with socialism(and/or capitalism) is that power eventually runs out of other peoples money". Margaret Thatcher(And probably Margaret Sanger too)

[@dawnlapka3782]

@@jamesdelap4085 yup.

[@imherwerdio6852]

"jesussaves", how nice of you to make a sweeping generalization as well as a major argument from ignorance about Catholics. I'm sure your claims are going to win them over in droves. And just remember that the Bible you're quoting from was compiled and decided upon by no other than the Catholic Church which you are denigrating. If what's in the Bible is so damaging to Catholicism and it's supposed deception, then why would they have made it, and allowed it to be translated into common languages, or put it into their masses and apologetics materials?

[@catholiclife9304]

Father I need to have Faith now

[@annemariemcgowan9273]

I trust Jesus. He is our Saviour. When I talk with Jesus, I can feel his presence. I just don't know if I'm doing right by him. Thanks to our beloved Saints in their quest for the truth xx

[@lukebrown5395]

This is a late one father, praying for faith for everyone.

[@lucasglowacki4683]

Evil never sleeps….

[@Bigchilezlife]

😂😂😂😂 you’re my favorite preist ever!! My faith is dry but I trust in God 100% but the devil is telling me that I’m useless and love will never happen for me 😞

[@neil2831]

Bro shake that feeling off. Get on your knees and pray like you've never prayed before.

[@anthonysalerno1152]

If it’s coming from the devil you know it’s a lie. God loves you more than you know. God made you for a reason.

[@StAlphonsusHasAPosse]

My son is in seminary to become a priest. He said that when my faith is challenged or if I feel separated from God, keep praying anyway, and your faith will eventually be restored. Just keep praying.

[@euniceegan3729]

You are not useless ❤

[@spaceforgrace3312]

@@anthonysalerno1152 yes! I was in a pit this weekend but once I realised it was those pesky devils that had put me there I knew the arms of Jesus Himself would lift me out. God bless you.

[@161989able]

Faith is when i can't understand the reason for things/events happens in my life yet i completely trust God leading me through it. Agreement is the opposite of faith in my eyes where i move forward or accept something only if it makes sense to me and that means i believe in me and my abilities not in God's. For example: when something bad happens to me or i get sick, etc... to find it reasonable and to make me understand that this bad happening to me is for a good reason/a cross i carry for closer relationship with Jesus is nothing but nonsense, but, my faith says Jesus is all good, He is my savior and i totally trust in Him and in His ways and although i cant see why, im sure He does and im sure its for my best.

[@KeyboardSourceError]

5:25 reminds me of Jacob Wrestles at Peniel. In the Ascension Presents BIY there’s a sentence from an explanation by Tim Gray & Jeff Cavins (From Walking with God: A Journey through the Bible) that stands out to me: “ he (Jacob) did not need to steal the blessing from Esau. Here, he asks, and God blesses him…” Man oh man, what a blessing to wrestle with God’s word, yet even more to have to humbly ask God for understanding amidst the struggle.

[@BernadetteVanBlerk]

Thank-you 💕🙏🏼💕

[@annemariemcgowan9273]

Thanks Fr. Mike. Even when I dont know the answers, I trust God's Divine plan. Everything good comes from God and

[@patman_for_sure]

Came at the right moment Left an old job and God is guiding me to new things. Having faith in God to make things work out. But even if not, so be it.

[@VanillaBean15]

0:31 this is such a mood for me. I'm reconnecting with God and I find muself questioning the reason behind Manu teachings.

[@BiornBear]

Father have you been on the beach recently? That or a spray tan lol. Joking, your a true inspiration to me and many more. You and Father Casey Cole have led me to convert from Baptist to Catholicism so thank you for opening my eyes to the truth. God Bless.

[@neil2831]

Thank you father Mike Schmitz.

[@creatingwithlove]

When I was younger, I demanded answers before I would agree to obey. The more I walked with God, though, the more I began to trust Him. Eventually, I began to see that the answers often don't come until we obey. It is in obedience that we receive the clarity about why that we want.

[@tylerlabbe3746]

Faith= “Jesus, I trust in you.”

[@Ezekiel336-16]

Agreement is also a way to take back power or control from the one in authority, or to put us on par with them in the process. Kids do this all the time to skirt doing what they're asked to, and so do we when we don't want to do something. In doing so we are saying that we do it because we agree, not that we're doing it out of loving obediance to the other. That is all based on trust though, which is why it's so easy to lose with kids or others who expect perfection from those who are not the Lord. Agreement, or especially lack thereof, puts us in a place of authority instead of submission which is never the right place to be with the Father. Knowing the Lord is not the same as knowing about Him In Christ, Andrew

[@VanillaBean15]

I think kids don't try yo get power by asking why to their parents. They night not even know what that means!

[@VanillaBean15]

Asking "why?" might come out of sheer curiosity

[@nancymorgan8180]

Wow, thank you, Fr.Mike big help. ❤

[@christophermichael1119]

Agreement is in the Intellect, Faith is in the Heart.

[@headingnorth5701]

This video actually targets exactly where I am. Millions of questions. Anger, resentment, confusion over what I don't understand. And of what I don't want.

[@CatholicWisdom]

God bless you all. Wonderful topic: seeing is not believing also because faith requires courage, while believing in something that you see, doesn’t. And the courage that faith takes is, ultimately, what opens our heart to God. It’s almost paradoxical how this is a cliff that no one who jumped from has ever “hurt” themselves, and yet so many people lack the courage to jump.

[@felixculpa0807]

Love this comment!

[@ijeomaokeakpu8311]

Wow! What wisdom!

[@CatholicWisdom]

@@ijeomaokeakpu8311 I see what you’re doing there. Sarcasm is not a good way to interact online. The wisdom in “catholic wisdom” is obviously not mine, but that of the christian tradition.

[@user-ji2on8eg3l]

Jesus I love you. All I have is yours. Yours I am yours I want to be. Do with me whatever you will.

[@davidsprouse151]

You go they, you go!

[@ac8fc8]

Wow. This is exactly what was going on in my mind today. God's Spirit is one

[@user-tg1ux8rk1d]

It helped me to note that the creed begins with: "I believe in one God" Not "I believe that there is one God" Great video, thanks for all the wisdom, Father Mike!

[@pamsindlinger1523]

Faith seeking understanding. Thank you Fr. Mike you help so much.

[@thinman8621]

I always learn from Fr. Mike. Thank you.

[@LOVEismyflow]

Yes Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen! This Faith appears nonsensical to the Secular world. I grew up in a Presbyterian Church. I never knew we could have a personal relationship with the Lord and I didn’t know who the Holy Spirit was! The more time I spend with Jesus in that place of intimacy and he teaches me about Abiding, the deeper my trust grows in Him. My Faith has grown, and continues to grow. Father Mike you are so loved by the Lord, we are all blessed by you! Not all leaders or believers in the Body of Christ have an intimate relationship with the Lord, which bears fruit (bad fruit) or a lack of fruit, so many people abandon Jesus as a result of this. Your heart is truly the Lords and for His sons and daughters ❤ I’ve never asked the Lord “prove to me who you are?” Oh man, who are we to do that? If we’re truly walking in the Fear of the Lord, our reply is always, “Yes Lord!” I walked away from everything and I do consider it all rubbish!

[@itinerantpatriot1196]

I agree with the points made here but like every relationship it is situational. My doubts are different from other peoples doubts, perhaps not in terms of the premise but in the dimension, how I see things versus someone else. One of the pitfalls I fall into is overthinking a thing. I'm not using that as an excuse for not digging deeply on every matter but I do need to be aware that my internal wiring is such that I will bore down into something with such intensity that I could end up chasing rabbits. I remember spending something like four hours digging into a mathematical formula not because I couldn't use a calculator or computer to arrive at the answer more efficiently, but because I just had to know the why behind the thing at its deepest level. I know this may seem like a stream of consciousness run amok but like I say, it's how my brain reacts to a problem. I'm like a dog with a bone. So, while I do want to make sure I am following, not simply admiring our Lord, sometimes I have to trust in because I said so. But that's just me.

[@MorreHope]

me too

[@fallenkingdom-zd8xh]

Fr. Mike, I heard about this ex-Muslim who became Christian named Nabeel Qureshi and he wrote three books you might be interested in. -Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity -Answering Jihad: A Better Way Forward -No God But One-Allah or Jesus That man helped strengthen my Christian faith while I was questioning it and I thought you should know about him. Maybe you could do a video on those books? If you see this, please reply.

[@pyxzkh]

The Catholic Church through the Apostles know first about God, about Jesus, about the Holy Spirit. 🤍🕊️✝️✝️✝️

[@fallenkingdom-zd8xh]

@@DudeNamedDuncan I haven’t personally read any of them, but I do hope to do so one day. I think Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus would be better.

[@PetPhotographyMN]

Worth pondering.

[@buddybrown8607]

If the world has enough time left, father Mike Schmitz will go down in history as a prophet and will become a saint!

[@Pete.Ty1]

🙏🙏🙏.Thank you

[@Anewleaf1975]

I would look forward to it and I’m sure many others would. Also I was a severe alcoholic, and I found our Lord Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior, but I’m told that I need to go to Alcoholics Anonymous in order to stay sober to carry a message to a newcomer I struggle, not being able to share Jesus, but to have them come up with their own higher power and steps, two and three I feel as if I should continue in my spiritual journey and when confirmed in the church, I can pray for a vocation to help others. Just thought this would be a good topic.

[@elizabethkirkpatrick4250]

Love how you explained this. Thank you God for Fr. Mike. ❤

[@Op_Intrude-N313]

Asking questions from a place of faith is far better than having faith contingent on receiving answers.

[@TheFunfolks]

"Be as little children" That is Faith.... no questions !!!!

[@tynaduckett4223]

Outstanding!!! Thank you. God bless ❤🙏

[@chrisbking7585]

Holy Father God❤️He visits us in ways that this temporal world will never understand

[@patrick.7326]

Amen.

[@sighko05]

Looks like God was looking into my heart because this video came just at the right moment when I’ve been wrestling with this.

[@josephcastaldo4881]

Amen!

[@jackloo7233]

Father Mike is SPITTING in this video great video God bless

[@paulacevedo8814]

Praise to you God and Jesus Christ🙏❤🕊😇

[@jenniferwinston7842]

Thank you Father Mike. This is the best. I needed this. I love your sense of humor as well. Bless you. I listen to your homilies too. I realized that doing everything, every task during the day - every moment - for Jesus, it is a life changer. When I began doing that, my heart was filled with love.

[@monneypenny143]

Great message! I never thought about the difference… Amen.

[@cherylmagee7245]

I needed this.

[@jesusworksbro4Life]

Jesus loves you

[@17CW68fNv]

Thanks, Fr Mike. I'm glad you think so deeply about these truths of our faith, and are able to pass them on to teach us. God Bless. Claire.

[@sherryelysiak4798]

Really helpful! Thank you.

[@commandente]

Praise God ❤️‍🔥

[@helenrosario6857]

So great. Thank you Fr Mike for this.

[@ACP0758]

Thank you, Father Mike, for all you do, you are loved.

[@okj9060]

I want to convert, the classes start in September. Please pray that me and my parents are given wisdom about it

[@lanettefouche-ic5fn]

You explain difficult concepts so clearly. Faith, Trust and Hope are pivotal in loving and serving God and Jesus Christ. Thank you Fr. Schmidt

[@Olivier1]

Very interesting and important topic, especially today, where people have access to vast amounts of information about all kinds of beliefs. It's good to know the one we place our faith in. I've experimented that, and while it can be tough to sift the wheat from the chaff without help, it's really worth the effort of getting closer to Christ. Blessed be God and His work.

[@amilcarhernandez746]

Thank you Fr. Mike for helping me understand more the catholic faith that has been instilled in me since I was a child. It’s starting to make more and more sense to me and it is truly a beautiful feeling.

[@patodwyer721]

Thank you Fr.Mike for your Wisdom and Guidance

[@barbarawalsh2875]

Father Mike, I never walk away from listening to you, where I have not increased my knowledge, and by increasing my knowledge, increasing my ability to walk the path that the Lord has laid out for me. Thank you so much for making it so practical easy to understand. If I could only ask one thing it would be, we have to switch you to decaf, sometimes my 66 old ears don’t hear everything when you are on a roll and I want to I am out must be coming at 100 miles an hour in your head.

[@jacquelineglogan6341]

Surrender with Trust 🙏

[@RoseTV-ti6bd]

Greetings 🫖☕ Thank you father Mike for your spiritual guidance 🙏❤️🌹I never had a father to read holy scriptures or guide me in a spiritual path🙏 I admire your love and strength for our lord Jesus Christ

[@angelaireland2268]

How true. No arguament can really obtain more than agreement with the principles. Faith is caught not taught.

[@angelamarie9874]

Yes! First submit our intellect and will to God! Then act in obdience! Then supernaturally understanding is given. The why is answered and leads us deeper into the beauty, truth and goodness of God himself.❤

[@LOVEismyflow]

My Apostle said the same thing, although in a different way ❤ she steered me back in the right direction. Thank you Father Mike!

[@margokupelian344]

Fr. Mike, I love the way you put things out and let people see them from a spiritual and logical perspective as well. I love it! ❤️😊

[@jamerson1214]

You are the best Fr. Mike. I pray for you and all the listeners of the Bible in a year, as you ask at the end of every day's readings!

[@harvardvoices]

So, I agree that faith is a lot deeper than agreement with others. It is a surrender to a truth that makes sense to you without support of popular agreement. A Saint is persecuted for asking questions and coming to faith in God.

[@najibhashimi]

Amen!🙏🙏🕊️

[@MidwestGirl]

Thank you Father Mike for sharing this message with us today.

[@marianmilne6009]

Thank you Fr Mike 🙏🏻 ❤️ 🙏

[@jameschin1786]

Hi Fr. Mike. This video really feels like one of your Sunday homilies. So good! God bless.🙏🙏

[@metildajoseph5265]

Greetings Father Mike, Thoughts :- -> Message reflect with, "Holy Faith involves The Spiritual Acceptance of Divine Love of Lord Jesus Christ and Agreement is a Eccentric form in every aspects." -> Thanks for your Kind Guidance, Father. Special Mention :- -> During brief visit to Eucharist Adoration Chapel in Ascension Church - Chennai, Rosary Prayers helps to connect with Calmful,Gracious,Caring Love of Lord Jesus Christ in all aspects. With regards and Prayers, Ranjith Joseph (R.J)

[@christinecoughlin5459]

Thank you for this topic, I truly surrendered to God when I hit rock bottom 25 years ago, he heard my pure prayer 💕

[@leonardodasilvagarcia673]

I'm exactly like that. You summed me up. Thank you, Father Mike.❤

[@williammurphy5303]

Thank you, Fr. Schmidtz! ❤ This notion of "agreement" and "proposition" reminds me of rationalism, where if I can prove something, i.e. God's existence, one will convert. Although rationality is good, faith is essential as well. It even goes deeper than reason, and goes to the heart. It's about relationship with God!

[@KerbalProductions777]

Hey Fr. Mike. I’d just like to thank you so much for your work. I am in a very precarious situation which I hope no catholic ever ever by the grace of God finds themselves in which essentially means I can’t go to mass or do most things which would be considered practicing the faith. I pray every day and I still study theology, in fact recently I’ve begun studying Aquinas. But I have to thank you so much for the work you put out here. You’ve helped me grow a lot in my faith if I’m being honest with you. I cannot really thank you enough. If you ever feel like the work you put out doesn’t make any difference in the lives of Catholics, I must inform you that is not the case at all! May God bless you Fr. Mike!

[@michaeljustin9722]

Unreal 🙏🙏🙏

[@dsc4178]

Yes, Faith cannot be blind to reality or it's not Faith.

[@princessfrogdiaries9379]

Thank you Fr Mike 🙏 I struggle with trust - needed this message today. 📿

[@ruthortega5822]

Thank you Father Mike for explaining all this to us. I ask God to help me trust him more than I already do. I need clarification that my decisions are made according to his will or am I making them according to my will. Holy Spirit help me with this. In your name I pray amen 🙏.

[@mm7846]

🙏🙏🙏

[@patmendell381]

The reason, like a good and caring parent….because I tell you to.

[@MorreHope]

Sarah doubted Abraham; - when Melchizedek gave the promise.

[@JohnSaber]

The Mike is in da house boys.

[@mcclay9483]

Jesus Christ is our Lord and Saviour he is the only way, the only truth✝️

[@joannc147]

Wow…. EXCELLENT!

[@ValuLinkValuLink-ey7es]

Thanks!

[@AscensionPresents]

Thank you so much for your generous gift! 💛

[@TraditionalHippie]

What a blessing

[@Braingrandchild]

Faith and fear cannot live in the same house. Agreement is just checking the perimeter to keep ensuring I’m safe, out of fear.

[@monicateleckisobolewski5844]

Father Mike you are awesome. Blessed enlightened subjects by Holy Spirit . Regards Valinhos, SP, Brazil

[@headingnorth5701]

One thing I thought about today as I trudged along through the mosquitoes and mud.. What about introverts. Shy people. Clustered people. People who are hermits. Those who don't go out among others to help them, serve them.. interact with them. Are they being evil because they aren't making themselves available to others?

[@katherinehickey6915]

God will reveal himself more to us through our prayer life. Trust in the Lord. Litany of The Holy Spirit "Holy Spirit, grant us the only necessary knowledge" thank you Father

[@sxt4447]

For the past 3 years, as the Lord has been walking me back home to the Kingdom of God, I have had to walk by faith and stand firm on my faith in the promises God made to me which didn’t make any logical sense. This is huge for me, because I was (and in many way I still am) a very intellectual person who put the pursuit of knowledge above all else, to the point that I abandoned my faith in Christ as I went off to college. I know God took me on this journey because it has stretched my faith in immeasurable ways and transformed me into the woman God created me to be. To this day, the promises God made to me are not rational, not logical, and anyone who knew what I was standing for would think I was insane. How can I keep praying, fasting, waiting, hoping for something which I have not seen? But what God has shown me is this is by His design. Love is not logical. Love does not make sense to the ego mind because love goes against the interests of the self, against the world, for the sake of uniting with and having compassion for others. That is God’s character. We cannot see God physically, and yet we know God is real. We see this in the way Christ lived His life on earth and through His word. Though Christ was raised up and we do not see Him physically, we know He was here and that He will return, and that he is even with us now by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is by His grace and through faith in Him that we receive his perfect love. We are not perfect. We are flawed. But because of our faith in Him we are able to receive this extravagant love which we do not deserve, yet God lavishes us with His love through His son Jesus Christ. If we do not have radical faith, a faith so crazy it defies all logic, how can we possibly accept a love so great and so perfect that it defies all logic? God, who is love, has given us everything. Through our faith in Him, we receive.

[@kattydeleo9035]

🙏🙏🙏🤗❤️

[@franksoldo6295]

Thanks For Mike,I needed to hear this 🙏

[@Lo_V3]

One day, the people from town decided to pray for rain. The day of prayer arrived, and all the people gathered to pray, but only one kid arrived with an umbrella 🌂... that is FAITH 🙏😇

[@mry5892]

Buy father! I'm spoiled and want my own way in the relationship! I will have to surrender instead of submit to his will.