Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz

Episode: On Purpose: Off Purpose
Release Date: January 25, 2025

Introduction: Embracing Purpose

Fr. Mike Schmitz opens the homily by expressing his hope that today's message will inspire and motivate listeners, leaving them eager to deepen their relationship with God. He emphasizes the importance of living as the person God created each individual to be, setting the stage for a profound exploration of purpose in the Christian life.

Main Theme: Living On Purpose vs. Off Purpose

The central theme of this episode revolves around the distinction between living "on purpose"—aligned with God's intended mission—and living "off purpose," where distractions and misdirections lead individuals away from their divine calling.

Illustrative Story: The Kon-Tiki Expedition

Fr. Mike shares a personal anecdote about Thor Heyerdahl's Kon-Tiki Expedition (00:06:30), where Heyerdahl and his crew drifted from Peru to Polynesia on a balsawood raft. Despite primarily relying on drifting rather than active navigation, they reached their destination through determination and purpose. Fr. Mike contrasts this with everyday life, highlighting that unlike Heyerdahl’s deliberate drift towards a goal, individuals rarely drift towards greatness without intentional effort.

Scriptural Foundations: Nehemiah and David

1. Nehemiah’s Mission (00:15:45)

   • Fr. Mike delves into Nehemiah 1-7, recounting how Nehemiah, upon learning about the desolate state of Jerusalem's walls, earnestly petitions King Artaxerxes to lead a mission to rebuild them. The king not only grants permission but also provides resources and protection, underscoring the importance of divine endorsement in fulfilling one's purpose.
   • Key Quote: “I've begun a great work and I cannot come down.” (Nehemiah 6:3, 22:10) (00:40:20)

2. David’s Descent into a Shadow Mission (00:25:50)

   • Fr. Mike examines David’s journey from a purpose-driven leader to someone who strays into personal failings (2 Samuel 11). He illustrates how minor deviations—like David choosing to stay in Jerusalem instead of leading his troops—can lead to significant moral compromises.
   • Key Quote: “He is living on mission. He's living on purpose.” (00:30:15)

Challenges to Living On Purpose

Fr. Mike identifies four primary factors that cause individuals to live "off purpose":

1. Distraction (00:18:10)

   • Distractions can divert attention from one's mission, whether through engaging in less important tasks or unexpected interruptions.
   • Example: Choosing to handle household chores instead of focusing on spiritual growth.

2. Forgetting One’s Purpose (00:24:30)

   • Over time, individuals may lose sight of their mission, much like the Israelites in Nehemiah 8:7, who returned to Jerusalem without fully understanding their identity beyond being the chosen people.
   • Key Quote: “You’ve been set apart for a purpose.” (00:31:50)

3. Comparison (00:29:10)

   • Comparing oneself to others can lead to a loss of joy and a sense of inadequacy, stealing the fulfillment derived from one's unique gifts.
   • Scriptural Reference: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, where Paul emphasizes the diversity of gifts within the body of Christ.
   • Key Quote: “To wish you were someone else is to waste the person you are.” (00:35:45)

4. Shadow Mission (00:38:00)

   • Engaging in secondary, often destructive missions that overshadow one's primary divine calling. Fr. Mike provides a poignant example from a men's retreat, where a participant confesses to engaging in destructive behavior at night, neglecting his primary responsibilities and purpose.
   • Illustration: David’s affair with Bathsheba as a historical example of a shadow mission leading to moral downfall.

Remedies for Staying On Purpose

1. Reminders Through Scripture and Prayer (00:42:30)

   • Fr. Mike underscores the necessity of regularly reconnecting with God's Word to reaffirm one's purpose. Just as Nehemiah and Ezra read Scripture to remind the Israelites of their identity and mission, individuals today must engage with the Bible to stay aligned with God's intentions.
   • Key Quote: “Rejoicing in the Lord must be your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10) (00:45:15)

2. Daily Holy Hours (00:50:00)

   • Drawing from his seminary experience, Fr. Mike shares the Archbishop of St. Paul’s advice to priests: dedicate a holy hour each day to prayer and reflection. This practice helps maintain awareness of one's mission amidst the busyness of life.
   • Key Quote: “Unless you take that time and spend it in front of Jesus... you'll never know if you're actually living on purpose or if you're living off purpose.” (00:52:10)

3. Firm Resolute Commitment (00:47:25)

   • Emulating Nehemiah’s unwavering dedication, Fr. Mike encourages listeners to remain steadfast in their mission despite external pressures and temptations.
   • Key Quote: “I have begun a great work and I cannot come down.” (Nehemiah 6:3) (00:48:40)

Practical Applications and Personal Reflections

Fr. Mike relates the homily to contemporary life, addressing common struggles such as maintaining faith amidst distractions, overcoming the temptation of comparison, and avoiding the pitfalls of shadow missions. He emphasizes that regardless of past deviations, individuals have the opportunity to return to their true purpose through conscious effort and divine guidance.

• Personal Anecdote: Fr. Mike recounts receiving a message from Father Joshua about Jesus lamenting a shift from love to mere duty, paralleling the Christian call to love beyond obligation (00:34:50).

• Challenge to Listeners: Embrace daily practices of prayer, scripture reading, and self-reflection to stay connected to one’s divine mission.

Conclusion: Affirmation of Purpose

Fr. Mike concludes with a reassuring message that no matter how much one may have drifted off purpose, there remains an opportunity to realign with God’s mission. By prioritizing spiritual disciplines and maintaining a steadfast commitment, individuals can live lives rich with meaning and aligned with their divine purpose.

• Final Encouragement: “Your story is not over. You've been made on purpose. You have a purpose. You have a mission. You have a work. And you cannot and you must not come down.” (00:55:30)

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Thor Heyerdahl on Drifting to Purpose:
  “What's remarkable to me is the goal of the Pacific Islands. And all he did was essentially drift. And he still reached his destination, which you realize just never happens.” (00:10:05)

• Comparing Gifts and Wasting Potential:
  “To wish that you were someone else is to waste the person you are.” (00:35:45)

• Reminder of Divine Calling:
  “You’ve been set apart for a purpose.” (00:31:50)

• Commitment to Mission:
  “I have begun a great work and I cannot come down.” (00:47:25)

• Final Affirmation:
  “Your story is not over. You've been made on purpose. You have a purpose. You have a mission. You have a work. And you cannot and you must not come down.” (00:55:30)

Takeaway Message

Living a life aligned with God’s purpose requires intentionality, regular engagement with faith practices, and resilience against distractions and temptations. Fr. Mike Schmitz encourages listeners to recognize their divine mission, remain steadfast in their commitment, and seek continuous spiritual nourishment to fulfill the great work entrusted to them.

God Bless.