Summary of "On Purpose: Be Great" – Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz (Released January 18, 2025)
In the January 19, 2025 episode of "Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz", titled "On Purpose: Be Great," Fr. Mike delves deep into the theme of living a purposeful life and striving for greatness. Drawing from Scripture, personal anecdotes, and spiritual teachings, he offers a compelling message aimed at inspiring listeners, particularly students, to embrace their unique roles and gifts with excellence.
1. Embracing New Beginnings
Fr. Mike begins by celebrating the essence of new beginnings—whether it’s the start of a year, semester, or personal project. He reflects on his own experiences during the Christmas break, reminiscing about family challenges and races, symbolizing the initiation of new endeavors.
"I love the beginning of everything. I love the start of a new semester, new projects. There's something in us at the beginning; you want to do something big."
[00:03]
He uses these reflections to transition into addressing the current new semester, emphasizing the importance of initiating projects and challenges with enthusiasm.
2. Discovering Purpose in University Life
Targeting his primary audience—students at University Minnesota Duluth—Fr. Mike poses introspective questions to encourage them to identify their fundamental reasons for being on campus.
"What are you here for? You came back. They all came back for the semester. What are you in Duluth to do?"
[00:07]
He acknowledges common motivations such as pursuing a degree, participating in sports, or preparing for future careers. However, he challenges listeners to look beyond these surface-level reasons and seek a deeper purpose.
3. Living On Purpose vs. Off Purpose
Fr. Mike introduces the central theme of his homily: choosing to live either on purpose or off purpose. He asserts that living on purpose is not just beneficial but essential for a fulfilling life.
"We're called to live on purpose. In fact, the only two ways we could live is we could either live on purpose or we could live off purpose."
[00:15]
This dichotomy sets the stage for his exploration of what it means to live purposefully and strive for greatness.
4. Defining Greatness
Contrary to common misconceptions, Fr. Mike redefines greatness not as superiority over others, fame, or material success, but as excellence in one’s own role and responsibilities.
"Being great is not being better than someone else... Being great is to be able to say, I'm good at what I do. That's excellence."
[00:27]
He underscores that greatness is achievable in any profession or walk of life by committing to do one’s best. Fr. Mike shares the story of his cousin, a sewer worker, who exemplifies greatness by understanding the essential role his job plays in maintaining societal functions.
"My cousin... he works in the sewers, and he does it really well. He is good at his job. Which means... he is great."
[00:35]
5. Biblical Foundations
Fr. Mike integrates Scripture to reinforce his message. He references the Gospel of John (John 2:1-11) where Jesus performs the miracle at the Wedding at Cana, highlighting that Jesus’ actions were purposeful and served a greater good.
He also cites 1 Corinthians, where St. Paul discusses spiritual gifts, emphasizing that these gifts are meant to benefit others.
"St. Paul highlights the fact that if you're given any of these gifts or roles or opportunities, then you need to start using them."
[00:45]
Furthermore, he reflects on the prophetic mission of Isaiah, illustrating how understanding one's purpose enables steadfastness in the face of adversity.
6. The Importance of 'Why'
Addressing the common phenomenon of abandoned New Year’s resolutions, Fr. Mike analyzes why people often fail to maintain their initial enthusiasm.
"You have your what, my goal, you have your how. Here's my plan. But you don't have a why... I don't know what that purpose is."
[00:55]
He argues that having a clear why—a purpose—sustains long-term commitment to goals and helps individuals navigate challenges.
7. Inspiring Commitment through Purpose
Using the example of St. John Henry Newman, Fr. Mike illustrates the struggles faced when aligning one’s life with divine purpose. Newman’s journey from Anglican priest to Catholic cardinal exemplifies enduring commitment despite confusion and hardship.
"St. John Henry Newman had this prayer that's just a declaration of trust that you have been made on purpose. You've been made to be great."
[01:10]
8. A Prayer for Purposeful Living
Concluding his homily, Fr. Mike presents a heartfelt prayer authored by St. John Henry Newman. This prayer serves as a declaration of faith and trust in God’s purposeful design for each individual.
"God has created me to do him some definitive service... I shall do good. I shall do his work... If I do but keep his commandments, therefore I will trust in Him."
[01:20]
He encourages listeners to adopt this prayer as a means to continually reaffirm their commitment to living purposefully and fulfilling their divine missions.
Key Takeaways
- Purpose-Driven Life: Embrace the call to live with intention, aligning daily actions with a higher purpose.
- Redefining Greatness: Strive for excellence in one’s role, understanding that greatness is about quality and commitment, not comparison.
- Understanding 'Why': Identify the deeper motivations behind goals to ensure sustained effort and fulfillment.
- Utilizing Gifts: Recognize and utilize personal talents and spiritual gifts to benefit others and contribute meaningfully to the community.
- Enduring Commitment: Draw inspiration from biblical figures and saints who exemplified unwavering dedication to their divine purposes despite challenges.
Fr. Mike Schmitz’s homily "On Purpose: Be Great" serves as a profound reminder that each individual is created with intention and endowed with unique gifts meant to glorify God and serve others. By seeking to understand and embrace one’s purpose, listeners are encouraged to pursue greatness through excellence and dedication in all facets of life.