The value of a new parishioner introducing him or herself to parish life and just asking the priest, “How can I help?” is priceless. 

When entering a new community, we may have all of these ideas about what we can do to help, but to listen and simply tell the leaders that you are available shows humility and understanding.

Fr. Mike knows firsthand about all of the different types of parishioners who are on fire for the Faith, and want to do something to enrich parish life. The ones who end up helping the most are those who in essence say, “I am your servant. Tell me what I can do for you.”<a rel="payment" href="https://ascensionpress.com/products/support-ascension">Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast</a>

Getting Involved in Parish Life

“I need nothing but God and to lose myself in the heart of Jesus” In today’s episode, we’ll meet Jane and Sarah: two sisters taking refuge in an English convent during the second world war. Though they are surrounded by the confusion and fear of war, they find solace and hope when Sister Evelyn tells them the incredible story of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque. Come listen with Jane and Sarah and learn more about the beauty and peace found in Jesus’ Sacred Heart. Parental Guidance Note: The beginning of this episode takes place during WWII - to skip these scenes for little listeners - start the story at 9:15.Saints Alive is brought to you by the #1 Catholic Prayer App, Hallow! Sign up today with a <a href='http://hallow.com/saintsalive'>30-day free trial!</a>Please rate, review and share with friends and family!Find out more about Saints Alive at our website: <a href='https://www.saintsalivepodcast.com/'>https://www.saintsalivepodcast.com/</a>

Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque

Episode 214 - Father of Mercies, Series on "The Father" by Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR (Part 9) Do you trust God's mercy? We are invited to bring to light those things that we are keeping in the dark, things that are tough, and trust that God in his mercy will love and care for us there. When we bring something to the Lord, it's forgiven and it's gone, He no longer sees us with that. He doesn't define us as a son or daughter who did this bad thing. To the Father's eyes, we are not defined by our sin and our weakness but by His love and our capacity to live like His son or daughter. But at the same time, sin still can seriously hurt us and the Father is also zealous to crush it and the things that lead us to them. Today we're looking at God and His Mercy and try to understand that a little bit. We'll take a look at both the merciful God and the God who is indifferent to sin. The Poco a Poco podcast happens because of many generous donors, including recurring monthly donations of any amount. Thinking about helping out? You can give at https://spiritjuice.org/supportpoco. Thank you! 🛒 You can also grab your Poco a Poco Merchandise at pocomerch.com! You can get your copy of The Father (by Fr Mark-Mary Ames, CFR) at https://ascensionpress.com/thefather

Father of Mercies

Fr. Mike continues to explain the parables Christ recites in Jerusalem, specifically focusing on the dangers of preaching God's Word without practicing it in our lives. Jesus goes on to speak against the Scribes and Pharisees, reminding us that he's not only the Prince of Peace, but the Way and the Truth. Today's readings are Matthew 22-24 and Proverbs 19:17-20.

For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear.

Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.<a rel="payment" href="https://ascensionpress.com/products/support-ascension">Support The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)</a>

Day 264: Preaching Without Practice (2025)

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Evangelizing Through Tattoos

We look at two more forms of prayer: intercession and thanksgiving. Fr. Mike emphasizes that in the age of the Church, intercession, or asking on behalf of another, is participating in Christ’s mediation. He also emphasizes that in all things we must give thanks, even in times of suffering and grief. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2634-2638.

This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB.

For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy

Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Day 338: Intercession and Thanksgiving (2024)

Fr. Mike points out how Jehu followed God half-way, but God wants us to follow Him with our whole hearts. He also explains the prophecy of Amos, who is trying to call people back to the Lord before it is too late. The readings for today are 2 Kings 10, Amos 1-3, and Psalm 110.

For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear.

Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.<a rel="payment" href="https://ascensionpress.com/products/support-ascension">Support The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)</a>

Day 178: Called Back (2024)

Is it possible to overcome sin? It doesn’t seem possible, but in this episode Jeff brings in words from the saints and from Scripture to help us understand sin better so that we can work to overcome it. Find out what you need in order to avoid sin and strive for holiness.

Snippet from the Show 
When we hear the Gospel, we gain a sensitivity to sin.

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Five Essentials to Overcome Sin

Fr. Dave Pivonka TOR, president of Franciscan University joins us to discuss the integration of personal formation for college students.  We address the danger of over-spiritualizing – spiritual bypassing – and how many of the struggles in the Church in the last 50 years are due to human formation deficits.  Fr. Pivonka shares his insights about how transformation first happens interiorly, inside oneself – and then radiates outward to change the world.  We discuss the difficulties that college students frequently face, the importance of community, concerns about pietism, and embracing our true identity.  College students and their parents will not want to miss this episode.

148 The Integration of Personal Formation at Franciscan University

Resources: <ul type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://soulcore.com/">SoulCore</a> – website</li> <li class="MsoNormal"><a href= "https://stpaulmemphis.com/product/into-the-deep/">Into the Deep</a> – Dan Burke</li> <li class="MsoNormal"><a href= "http://spiritualdirection.com/shop">Spiritual Warfare and the Discernment of Spirits</a> - Dan Burke</li> <li class="MsoNormal"><a href= "https://www.sophiainstitute.com/products/item/the-contemplative-rosary"> The Contemplative Rosary</a> - Dan Burke and Connie Rossini</li> <li class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://onelink.to/92tyk4">The Contemplative Rosary App</a> (phones and tablets only)</li> <li class="MsoNormal"><a href= "http://spiritualdirection.com/shop">A Catholic Guide to Mindfulness</a> - Susan Brinkmann OCDS</li> <li class="MsoNormal"><a href= "https://avila-institute.org/events/">Avila-Institute.org/events</a> - website</li> <li class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://avila-institute.org/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation</a></li> <li class="MsoNormal"><a href= "http://www.ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">EWTN Religious Catalogue</a> – online</li> </ul>

SoulCore

In today's episode of Pints With Aquinas we ask Thomas about knowledge and stuff (that sounded smart right? "and stuff"). --- On this point the philosophers held three opinions. For Democritus held that "all knowledge is caused by images issuing from the bodies we think of and entering into our souls," as Augustine says in his letter to Dioscorus (cxviii, 4). And Aristotle says (De Somn. et Vigil.) that Democritus held that knowledge is cause by a "discharge of images." And the reason for this opinion was that both Democritus and the other early philosophers did not distinguish between intellect and sense, as Aristotle relates (De Anima iii, 3). Consequently, since the sense is affected by the sensible, they thought that all our knowledge is affected by this mere impression brought about by sensible things. Which impression Democritus held to be caused by a discharge of images. Plato, on the other hand, held that the intellect is distinct from the senses: and that it is an immaterial power not making use of a corporeal organ for its action. And since the incorporeal cannot be affected by the corporeal, he held that intellectual knowledge is not brought about by sensible things affecting the intellect, but by separate intelligible forms being participated by the intellect, as we have said above (Articles 4 and 5). Moreover he held that sense is a power operating of itself. Consequently neither is sense, since it is a spiritual power, affected by the sensible: but the sensible organs are affected by the sensible, the result being that the soul is in a way roused to form within itself the species of the sensible. Augustine seems to touch on this opinion (Gen. ad lit. xii, 24) where he says that the "body feels not, but the soul through the body, which it makes use of as a kind of messenger, for reproducing within itself what is announced from without." Thus according to Plato, neither does intellectual knowledge proceed from sensible knowledge, nor sensible knowledge exclusively from sensible things; but these rouse the sensible soul to the sentient act, while the senses rouse the intellect to the act of understanding. Aristotle chose a middle course. For with Plato he agreed that intellect and sense are different. But he held that the sense has not its proper operation without the cooperation of the body; so that to feel is not an act of the soul alone, but of the "composite." And he held the same in regard to all the operations of the sensitive part. Since, therefore, it is not unreasonable that the sensible objects which are outside the soul should produce some effect in the "composite," Aristotle agreed with Democritus in this, that the operations of the sensitive part are caused by the impression of the sensible on the sense: not by a discharge, as Democritus said, but by some kind of operation. For Democritus maintained that every operation is by way of a discharge of atoms, as we gather from De Gener. i, 8. But Aristotle held that the intellect has an operation which is independent of the body's cooperation. Now nothing corporeal can make an impression on the incorporeal. And therefore in order to cause the intellectual operation according to Aristotle, the impression caused by the sensible does not suffice, but something more noble is required, for "the agent is more noble than the patient," as he says (De Gener. i, 5). Not, indeed, in the sense that the intellectual operation is effected in us by the mere impression of some superior beings, as Plato held; but that the higher and more noble agent which he calls the active intellect, of which we have spoken above (I:79:4) causes the phantasms received from the senses to be actually intelligible, by a process of abstraction. According to this opinion, then, on the part of the phantasms, intellectual knowledge is caused by the senses. But since the phantasms cannot of themselves affect the passive intellect, and require to be made actually intelligible by the active intellect, it cannot be said that sensible knowledge is the total and perfect cause of intellectual knowledge, but rather that it is in a way the material cause. ST I, Q. 84, A. 6. --- Here's what Thomas said in response to what we now call idealism: This is, however, manifestly false for two reasons. First, because the things we understand are the objects of science; therefore if what we understand is merely the intelligible species in the soul, it would follow that every science would not be concerned with objects outside the soul, but only with the intelligible species within the soul; thus, according to the teaching of the Platonists all science is about ideas, which they held to be actually understood [I:84:1]. Secondly, it is untrue, because it would lead to the opinion of the ancients who maintained that "whatever seems, is true" [Aristotle, Metaph. iii. 5], and that consequently contradictories are true simultaneously. For if the faculty knows its own impression only, it can judge of that only. Now a thing seems according to the impression made on the cognitive faculty. Consequently the cognitive faculty will always judge of its own impression as such; and so every judgment will be true: for instance, if taste perceived only its own impression, when anyone with a healthy taste perceives that honey is sweet, he would judge truly; and if anyone with a corrupt taste perceives that honey is bitter, this would be equally true; for each would judge according to the impression on his taste. Thus every opinion would be equally true; in fact, every sort of apprehension. Therefore it must be said that the intelligible species is related to the intellect as that by which it understands: which is proved thus. There is a twofold action (Metaph. ix, Did. viii, 8), one which remains in the agent; for instance, to see and to understand; and another which passes into an external object; for instance, to heat and to cut; and each of these actions proceeds in virtue of some form. And as the form from which proceeds an act tending to something external is the likeness of the object of the action, as heat in the heater is a likeness of the thing heated; so the form from which proceeds an action remaining in the agent is the likeness of the object. Hence that by which the sight sees is the likeness of the visible thing; and the likeness of the thing understood, that is, the intelligible species, is the form by which the intellect understands. But since the intellect reflects upon itself, by such reflection it understands both its own act of intelligence, and the species by which it understands. Thus the intelligible species is that which is understood secondarily; but that which is primarily understood is the object, of which the species is the likeness. This also appears from the opinion of the ancient philosophers, who said that "like is known by like." For they said that the soul knows the earth outside itself, by the earth within itself; and so of the rest. If, therefore, we take the species of the earth instead of the earth, according to Aristotle (De Anima iii, 8), who says "that a stone is not in the soul, but only the likeness of the stone"; it follows that the soul knows external things by means of its intelligible species. ST I, Q. 86, A. 2. SPONSORS EL Investments: <a href="https://www.elinvestments.net/pints">https://www.elinvestments.net/pints</a> Exodus 90: <a href="https://exodus90.com/mattfradd/">https://exodus90.com/mattfradd/</a> Hallow: <a href="http://hallow.app/mattfradd">http://hallow.app/mattfradd</a> STRIVE: <a href="https://www.strive21.com/">https://www.strive21.com/</a> GIVING Patreon: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/mattfradd">https://www.patreon.com/mattfradd</a> This show (and all the plans we have in store) wouldn't be possible without you. I can't thank those of you who support me enough. Seriously! Thanks for essentially being a co-producer coproducer of the show. LINKS Website: <a href="https://pintswithaquinas.com/">https://pintswithaquinas.com/</a> Merch: <a href="https://teespring.com/stores/matt-fradd">https://teespring.com/stores/matt-fradd</a> FREE 21 Day Detox From Porn Course: <a href="https://www.strive21.com/">https://www.strive21.com/</a> SOCIAL Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mattfradd">https://www.facebook.com/mattfradd</a> Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/mattfradd">https://twitter.com/mattfradd</a> Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mattfradd">https://www.instagram.com/mattfradd</a> MY BOOKS Does God Exist: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Does-God-Exist-Socratic-Dialogue-ebook/dp/B081ZGYJW3/ref=sr_1_9?dchild=1&amp;keywords=fradd&amp;qid=1586377974&amp;sr=8-9">https://www.amazon.com/Does-God-Exist-Socratic-Dialogue-ebook/dp/B081ZGYJW3/ref=sr_1_9?dchild=1&amp;keywords=fradd&amp;qid=1586377974&amp;sr=8-9</a> Marian Consecration With Aquinas: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Marian-Consecration-Aquinas-Growing-Closer-ebook/dp/B083XRQMTF/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&amp;keywords=fradd&amp;qid=1586379026&amp;sr=8-4">https://www.amazon.com/Marian-Consecration-Aquinas-Growing-Closer-ebook/dp/B083XRQMTF/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&amp;keywords=fradd&amp;qid=1586379026&amp;sr=8-4</a> The Porn Myth: <a href="https://www.ignatius.com/The-Porn-Myth-P1985.aspx">https://www.ignatius.com/The-Porn-Myth-P1985.aspx</a> CONTACT Book me to speak: <a href="https://www.mattfradd.com/speakerrequestform">https://www.mattfradd.com/speakerrequestform</a> Learn more about your ad choices. 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62: How do we know stuff? (an intro to Thomas' epistemology)

Learn more about The Thomistic Institute here: <a href="https://thomisticinstitute.org/">https://thomisticinstitute.org/</a> See more show notes at PintsWithAquinas.com SPONSORS EL Investments: <a href="https://www.elinvestments.net/pints">https://www.elinvestments.net/pints</a> Exodus 90: <a href="https://exodus90.com/mattfradd/">https://exodus90.com/mattfradd/</a> Hallow: <a href="http://hallow.app/mattfradd">http://hallow.app/mattfradd</a> STRIVE: <a href="https://www.strive21.com/">https://www.strive21.com/</a> GIVING Patreon: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/mattfradd">https://www.patreon.com/mattfradd</a> This show (and all the plans we have in store) wouldn't be possible without you. I can't thank those of you who support me enough. Seriously! Thanks for essentially being a co-producer coproducer of the show. LINKS Website: <a href="https://pintswithaquinas.com/">https://pintswithaquinas.com/</a> Merch: <a href="https://teespring.com/stores/matt-fradd">https://teespring.com/stores/matt-fradd</a> FREE 21 Day Detox From Porn Course: <a href="https://www.strive21.com/">https://www.strive21.com/</a> SOCIAL Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mattfradd">https://www.facebook.com/mattfradd</a> Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/mattfradd">https://twitter.com/mattfradd</a> Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mattfradd">https://www.instagram.com/mattfradd</a> MY BOOKS Does God Exist: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Does-God-Exist-Socratic-Dialogue-ebook/dp/B081ZGYJW3/ref=sr_1_9?dchild=1&amp;keywords=fradd&amp;qid=1586377974&amp;sr=8-9">https://www.amazon.com/Does-God-Exist-Socratic-Dialogue-ebook/dp/B081ZGYJW3/ref=sr_1_9?dchild=1&amp;keywords=fradd&amp;qid=1586377974&amp;sr=8-9</a> Marian Consecration With Aquinas: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Marian-Consecration-Aquinas-Growing-Closer-ebook/dp/B083XRQMTF/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&amp;keywords=fradd&amp;qid=1586379026&amp;sr=8-4">https://www.amazon.com/Marian-Consecration-Aquinas-Growing-Closer-ebook/dp/B083XRQMTF/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&amp;keywords=fradd&amp;qid=1586379026&amp;sr=8-4</a> The Porn Myth: <a href="https://www.ignatius.com/The-Porn-Myth-P1985.aspx">https://www.ignatius.com/The-Porn-Myth-P1985.aspx</a> CONTACT Book me to speak: <a href="https://www.mattfradd.com/speakerrequestform">https://www.mattfradd.com/speakerrequestform</a> Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a>

105: How should we understand morality? With Fr. Dominic Legge

For another take on Catholic parts work look like in action, join Marion Moreland as she accompanies Caris in connecting, understanding, and loving Caris’ parts – not just the manager parts who are usually in front, but also some of Caris’ hidden exiled parts in this demonstration. Sarah is present in an observing role. This demonstration illustrates very typical ways of accompanying parts in inner work. Marion and Caris address themes of striving for productivity and perfection, control and rebellion, the pain of love rejected, among others and escape, and self-soothing. You are invited into the “observer role” with Sarah to connect with your own parts in your human formation as you experience the demo and your parts resonate with parts coming up in Caris’ work.

152 Internal Family Systems Demonstrations Part II with Marion Moreland

Happy Thanksgiving! Today, Jeff talks about how we can cultivate an attitude of thankfulness for everything we have, and how we can practice greater gratitude in our daily lives. Let’s start saying “thanks for everything” instead of “thanks for nothing!”

Snippet from the Show

“The secret to happiness is gratitude.” - GK Chesterton

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Gratitude: Thanks for Nutt'n or Thanks for Everything!

Today I interview my real life friend Sarah Kroger. She is an extremely gifted worship leader and musician. For this second part of our Catholic Creatives series, we will be giving away a copy of her new CD Bloom. It's so good y'all me and my kids are loving it! Head on over to instagram to enter into our giveaway!! 🌹 To Purchase Sarah's New CD: <a href= "https://mkt.com/sarah-kroger">https://mkt.com/sarah-kroger</a> 🌹 To Follow Sarah on Instagram: <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/skroger/">https://www.instagram.com/skroger/</a> 🌹 Visit Sarah's Website: <a href= "http://www.sarahkroger.com/">http://www.sarahkroger.com/</a> 🌹 Support me on Patreon <a href= "https://www.patreon.com/AmongTheLilies">https://www.patreon.com/AmongTheLilies</a> 🌹 To follow me on Twitter: <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/redirect?redir_token=pu24f9rDnlm8B9KEyjmwTNy_rU98MTU2MjQ0NDU2N0AxNTYyMzU4MTY3&v=7S5i-mO_uNQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Fmattfradd&event=video_description"> https://twitter.com/cameronfradd</a> 🌹 To follow me on Instagram: <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/redirect?redir_token=pu24f9rDnlm8B9KEyjmwTNy_rU98MTU2MjQ0NDU2N0AxNTYyMzU4MTY3&v=7S5i-mO_uNQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fmattfradd%2F&event=video_description"> https://www.instagram.com/among_the_lilies/</a> 🌹 To follow me on Facebook: <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/redirect?redir_token=pu24f9rDnlm8B9KEyjmwTNy_rU98MTU2MjQ0NDU2N0AxNTYyMzU4MTY3&v=7S5i-mO_uNQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fmattfradd%2F&event=video_description"> https://www.facebook.com/AmongTheLilies/</a>

Ep. 111 Catholic Creatives Part 2 Sarah Kroger

This interview was originally aired on Pints with Aquinas but I loved it so much I decided to share it with y'all. In this episode Mr. Fradd interviews the lovely Sr. Natalia, who is a Byzantine nun. They talk about what it's like to be a religious sister, stupid questions you may be asked as a nun, what the funny hat nuns wear is actually called and how Jesus radically changed Sr. Natalias life. If you are discerning God's will in your life, then this conversation is ABSOLUTELY for you. Or if you're someone who just loves conversion stories about people radically loving Jesus, then you're going to LOVE this episode. We are so grateful that you are here and we hope you enjoy the show. If you enjoy this episode please consider giving Among the Lilies a rating here on itunes. It is extremely helpful in helping people find the show. If you are interested in supporting Among the Lilies please consider supporting us at <a href="https://www.patreon.com/AmongTheLilies">https://www.patreon.com/AmongTheLilies</a> you will find on our patreon page the many different benefits that come with being an ATL patron. We are always adding perks so watch for more fun things coming this summer for all our lovely patrons! Please join the Among the Lilies community on instagram and facebook! Facebook: <a href= "https://www.facebook.com/AmongTheLiliess/">https://www.facebook.com/AmongTheLiliess/</a> Instagram: <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/among_the_lilies">https://www.instagram.com/among_the_lilies</a>

Bonus Episode!

“A picture of a man dying on a cross can be a picture of hope.”Saints Alive presents the final installment of our three part episode on the life of Fulton Sheen! Today we’ll hear about the stories of two people whose lives were changed by Venerable Sheen. We’ll also hear about the humility of the man that reminded the world that life truly is worth living. This is an episode you don’t want to miss - listen today! This episode is part of our Hallow exclusive Lenten series for families: The Little Way! Tune in to a new episode everyday by joining the challenge on Hallow! https://hallow.app.link/ociVupCuZQb Saints Alive is brought to you by the #1 Catholic Prayer App, Hallow! Sign up today with a <a href='http://hallow.com/saintsalive'>30-day free trial!</a>Please rate, review and share with friends and family!Find out more about Saints Alive at our website: <a href='https://www.saintsalivepodcast.com/'>https://www.saintsalivepodcast.com/</a>

Venerable Fulton Sheen Part III

If we can’t use the Lord’s name in vain, can we joke about God? Fr. Mike makes the case that there is room for humor about God in the context of love.

No one in the universe or beyond it deserves more honor, respect, and reverence than God, and we jeopardize our souls if we fail to see this. At the same time, though, Jesus called us his friends (John 15:15). Friends can joke about each other because they know there is mutual love and respect there.

It goes even deeper than that though, Fr. Mike argues. God is calling us to a whole different kind of relationship, a whole different kind of intimacy, through his son Jesus. If we enter into that relationship and nurture it, we may discover that God does indeed have a sense of humor, a whole new sense of humor we didn’t even think was possible. 

Catechism paragraph on the Second Commandment:

“Blasphemy is directly opposed to the second commandment. It consists in uttering against God - inwardly or outwardly - words of hatred, reproach, or defiance; in speaking ill of God; in failing in respect toward him in one&#39;s speech; in misusing God&#39;s name. St. James condemns those &quot;who blaspheme that honorable name [of Jesus] by which you are called&quot; (James 2:7). The prohibition of blasphemy extends to language against Christ&#39;s Church, the saints, and sacred things. It is also blasphemous to make use of God&#39;s name to cover up criminal practices, to reduce peoples to servitude, to torture persons or put them to death. The misuse of God&#39;s name to commit a crime can provoke others to repudiate religion” (CCC 2148)<a rel="payment" href="https://ascensionpress.com/products/support-ascension">Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast</a>

Can We Joke about God?

Homily from the Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Faith must be lived, not merely believed. It is wise to take responsibility for one’s own time, resources, and family. And yet, we must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God. This demands faith. Real faith is more than belief, but involves renunciation of any claim we might have on our lives in favor of the absolute claim Jesus has on every aspect of our lives. Mass Readings from September 12, 2021: Isaiah 50:5-9 Psalms 116:1-6, 8-9James 2:14-18 Mark 8:27-35

09/12/21 Not Mine

<ol><li>The Pitch -- Opening  <ol><li>Set the Scene Two Great Commandments  <ol><li>What is the whole point of your life? What is your mission and purpose? What is the most important thing for you to do?  Really think about that for a minute.  What is your ultimate goal on this planet as a Catholic man or woman?</li></ol></li><li> <ol><li>All of us serious Catholics want to love God and neighbor.  </li><li> 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:36-40  <ol><li>Mitch and Sri CCSS  "Together, the two love Commandments sum up the Ten Commandments, three of which delineate our responsibilities toward God and seven of which concern our duties toward others."  </li></ol></li><li> </li><li>Luke 10:25-28  25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read?” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul [being], and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered right; do this, and you will live.”</li><li>Highest obligation of every person.  </li><li>Romans 13:8-10  8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this sentence, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.</li></ol></li></ol></li><li> </li><li>The Hurdle -- a problem we're all facing.  <ol><li>Simple, right?  But it's not that simple.  <ol><li>My Catholic Life  </li></ol></li></ol></li><li> </li></ol>With this statement, Jesus gives a complete summary of the moral law found in the Ten Commandments.  The first three Commandments reveal that we must love God above all and with all our might.  The last six Commandments reveal that we must love our neighbor.  The moral law of God is as simple as fulfilling these two more general commandments. But is it all that simple?  Well, the answer is both “Yes” and “No.”  It’s simple in the sense that God’s will is not typically complex and difficult to comprehend.  Love is spelled out clearly in the Gospels and we are called to embrace a radical life of true love and charity. However, it can be considered difficult in that we are not only called to love, we are called to love with all our being.  We must give of ourselves completely and without reserve.  This is radical and requires that we hold nothing back.<ol><li>And that's the kicker -- to love God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind.  With all of us.  <ol><li>Think about what that means.  <ol><li>Pablo Gadenz  CCSS Luke   "The idea is that the commandment to love God embraces every aspect of one's being."  </li></ol></li></ol></li><li> <ol><li>Every fiber of our being, every last little bit of ourselves.  </li></ol></li><li> <ol><li>If we really think about this commandment -- what are the implications  <ol><li>To love God in every internal experience -- every thought, emotion, body sensation, intention, impulse attitude, belief, assumption, every desire -- every internal phenomenological experience oriented toward loving God.  </li></ol></li><li> <ol><li>That requires harmony inside.  </li></ol></li><li> <ol><li>That requires interior integration for Catholics  <ol><li>And Interior Integration for Catholics just happens to be the name of this podcast. </li></ol></li><li> <ol><li>And this whole podcast is all about helping to you to get so much closer to loving God and neighbor and yourself with your whole heart, your whole soul, your whole strength and your whole mind, with all of you -- and that is the whole mission of our online outreach Souls and Hearts at soulsandhearts.com</li></ol></li><li> </li></ol></li><li> </li></ol></li><li> </li><li>Intro -- Welcome to Interior Integration for Catholics  <ol><li>I’m clinical psychologist Peter Malinoski and I am here to help guide you toward  loving God, neighbor and yourself in an ordered, healthy, holy way.  <ol><li>And how do I do that?  <ol><li>By focusing on your natural level impediments, your psychological obstacles to tolerated being loved and to loving God, neighbor and ourselves in the best ways possible</li></ol></li><li> <ol><li>That is the mission of this podcast -- it's all about your human formation and what you need  on the natural level going forward in your life.  </li></ol></li><li> <ol><li>John the Baptist is the patron saint of this podcast because he prepared the way for the Lord.  </li></ol></li><li> <ol><li>I'm here to help you get ready by shoring up your natural foundation for the spiritual life </li></ol></li><li> </li></ol></li><li> </li></ol></li><li> <ol><li>This is Episode 72, entitled What Keeps You from Loving?  Is it Really Only Your Vices?  (Spoiler Alert:  No!)</li><li>Chess analogy -- so the two great Commandments are both simple and complex -- like chess.  <ol><li>One Level -- Chess is a simple game -- the rules are really clear and can be learned in five minutes, and the trickiest part of the rules is castling -- rook/king switcheroo thing.  Or maybe the en passant pawn capture.  </li><li>On another level, chess is complex -- people spend their professional lives learning to play.  Grandmasters learning into old age.   </li></ol></li></ol></li><li>Love Your Neighbor as yourself  <ol><li>We are supposed to love ourselves</li></ol></li><li> <ol><li>Command is not to love our neighbor more than ourselves  <ol><li>Not because Jesus is lax:  Mt. 5:48 You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.</li></ol></li><li> </li></ol></li><li> <ol><li>No one can love you in lieu of you.  </li></ol></li><li> <ol><li> Doesn't make sense if you think of a person has having monolithic, homogeneous personality -- no space for relationship there.  </li></ol></li><li> <ol><li>In order to love ourselves other and God, we need interior peace.  <ol><li>Fr. Jacques Phillipe:  Searching For and Maintaining Peace  <ol><li>It is of the greatest importance that we strive to acquire an interior peace, the peace of our hearts.  p. 5</li></ol></li><li> <ol><li>The more our soul is peaceful and tranquil, the more God is reflected in it, the more His image expresses itself in us, the more His grace acts through us.  p. 5</li></ol></li><li> <ol><li>Quoting St. Seraphim of Sarov "Acquire interior peace and a multitude will find its salvation through you.  p. 8</li></ol></li><li> <ol><li>p.11 Very frequently, spiritual combat consists precisely in this:  defending one's peace of heart against the enemy who attempts to steal it from us. </li></ol></li><li> <ol><li>p. 12.  The first goal of spiritual combat, that toward which our efforts must above all else be...</li></ol></li></ol></li></ol></li></ol>

72 What Keeps You from Loving?  Is it Really Only Your Vices?  (Spoiler Alert:  No!)

Have you ever gone to a carnival or fair and had a caricature drawn of yourself? Did it seem to highlight some parts of you but fail to really create a complete picture of who you are?

Today, Fr. Mike explores the nature of Jesus’ true physical appearance, and the spiritual reasons he may appear so diverse in different works of art.<a rel="payment" href="https://ascensionpress.com/products/support-ascension">Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast</a>