Podcast Summary: "Put Your Heart Into It"

Podcast: Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz (Ascension)
Date: February 14, 2026
Episode Theme:
Fr. Mike Schmitz explores what it means to truly "put your heart into it"—in work, faith, and relationships—by going beyond mere obligation or endurance and embracing Christlike love and intention in all we do. Drawing on the week's Gospel reading (Matthew 5:17-37), personal stories, and St. Paul's letters, Fr. Mike unpacks how Jesus calls us to live not just by the letter of the law, but with the fullness and freedom of wholehearted love.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

Gospel Foundation: The Call Beyond Minimums

• Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law... I have not come to abolish, but to fulfill.” (Matthew 5:17)
• Jesus lists examples: not just "do not kill," but also "do not be angry"; not just avoid adultery, but also root out lust.
• Fr. Mike notes: Jesus doesn’t add burdens but teaches a new, richer way to carry the responsibilities of life and discipleship.
  • Quote: “He’s not giving us a new weight to carry. He’s giving us a new way to carry the weight.” (21:50)

Personal Story: Life as a Camp Counselor

• Fr. Mike recalls working at Legionville camp with 30+ fifth-grade campers, describing how he "did everything they asked" but tried to "pace himself" to avoid burnout.
• Admits to being "really bad at it" because, though he followed the rules, "I held back." (05:40)
• Contrasts himself with peer Justin Eisel, who immediately connected with campers and staff by "putting his heart into it"–not just performing duties, but fully engaging.
  • Quote: “The difference between checking the box and changing a life... is that one step: you make the decision, you put your heart into it.” (09:38)

How We Show Up: Three Temptations

Fr. Mike identifies three common but incomplete ways people "show up" in daily life and faith:

1. The Minimum (Box-Checking & Quiet Quitting)

• Describes the temptation to ask, "What’s the least I have to do?" and just check boxes—whether at work, in relationships, or with God.
• References "quiet quitting": people doing only what’s required after feeling unappreciated or burned out.
• Warns that, while checking boxes or doing the bare minimum fulfills external expectations, it can lead to a faith—and a life—lacking real transformation or joy.
  • Quote: “How many of us come to Mass... and that’s us, God: ‘I’m gonna do the work, but I’m not going to give you my heart.’” (15:36)

2. Resistance (Wishing Things Were Otherwise)

• Discusses how resistance—resenting our situation, tasks, or burdens—adds an unnecessary weight.
• Explains the distinction between God’s "perfect will" (always life, love, peace) and "permissive will" (allowing struggles for greater purposes).
• True freedom comes from accepting each moment as coming from God, even if it’s not what we wished for.
  • Quote: “There is no one more free than the person who can say yes to God in every moment... Not with resistance, not with resentment, but with freedom.” (19:09)

3. Endurance (Just Getting Through)

• Admits this is his personal struggle: Get the job done, push through, endure.
• Tells of leading a fundraising campaign he dislikes, merely enduring the task instead of embracing it.
• Cites 2 Corinthians 9: St. Paul says, “God loves a cheerful giver.”
• Challenges listeners to ask whether we do our work and service "with sadness and compulsion" or with joy.
  • Quote (St. Paul): “Each must do as already determined... without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (22:56)

The Heart of the Matter: Love as the Point

St. Paul to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 13)

• Doing amazing things—speaking in tongues, having faith to move mountains, radical generosity—means nothing if it is done without love.
  • Quote: “If I give away everything I own... but do not have love, I gain nothing.” (27:10)

The Invitation: How Will You Show Up?

• Every task, opportunity, or obligation is a place to meet God with love and intention. Ask not just "Am I here?" but "How am I showing up?"
• Putting your heart into things transforms both tasks and your own life—remaking “checking the box” into an act of love.
  • Quote: “Show up. Do the tasks. But do them as if love is the point... because it is.” (29:12)

Timestamps for Key Moments

• Gospel Reading (Matthew 5:17-37): 00:25 – 03:40
• Fr. Mike’s Camp Counselor story: 04:05 – 10:20
• Contrast: Just Doing vs. Heart-Invested Service: 09:10 – 10:45
• Identifying “Box-Checking” and Minimum Mentality: 12:13 – 16:03
• Exploring “Quiet Quitting”: 14:55 – 15:55
• Temptation 2: Resistance & God’s Will Explained: 16:44 – 20:37
• Temptation 3: Endurance & the Call to Joy: 21:56 – 25:37
• First Corinthians 13 & Love as the True Meaning: 26:55 – 28:15
• Final Call: Put Your Heart Into It: 28:45 – End

Memorable Quotes

• On Heartfelt Effort:
  “The difference between checking the box and changing a life... is that one step: you make the decision, you put your heart into it.” (Fr. Mike, 09:38)

• On Minimum and Quiet Quitting:
  “I’m gonna do exactly what you asked me to do and nothing more. It’s quiet quitting. What is the least I can do and not get in trouble?” (15:05)

• On Freedom in Acceptance:
  “There is no one more free than the person who can say yes to God in every moment... Not with that resistance, not with that resentment, but with freedom.” (19:09)

• On Endurance and Joy:
  “Each must do as already determined without sadness or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.” (St. Paul via Fr. Mike, 22:56)

• On Love as the Core:
  “If I give away everything I own... but do not have love, I gain nothing.” (St. Paul, 1 Corinthians 13, 27:10)

• On the Episode’s Purpose:
  “Show up. Do the tasks. But do them as if love is the point... because it is.” (29:12)

Takeaway

Fr. Mike’s homily challenges us to audit how we approach everything—from chores and work to relationships and our faith. He invites us to step past mere obligation or endurance, and to infuse every action with Christlike love. In following Christ’s teaching—not just fulfilling the "law" but giving our hearts—we not only honor God but experience the freedom, purpose, and joy for which we were created.

This week: Ask not just if you’re showing up, but how you’re showing up—and put your heart into it.