Summary of "A New Commandment" Episode of Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz

Podcast Information

• Title: Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz
• Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz, served by Ascension
• Episode: February 23, 2025 – "A New Commandment"
• Release Date: February 24, 2025
• Description: In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz delves into the profound teachings of Jesus from the Gospel of Luke, exploring themes of justice, mercy, and unconditional love. Through engaging storytelling and theological insights, he challenges listeners to embody the radical love Christ advocates, especially towards those who may not "deserve" it.

1. Introduction: Setting the Stage

Fr. Mike Schmitz opens the homily by expressing his hope that today's message will inspire listeners to hunger for Christ's unconditional love. He immediately connects with the audience by sharing personal confessions, making the discussion relatable and grounded.

“I don’t always like what Jesus says. I just want to know if this is like a commandment or a suggestion.”
[00:02]

2. The Gospel Reading: Luke 6:27-38

Fr. Mike presents the Gospel passage where Jesus teaches about loving enemies and performing acts of mercy without expecting anything in return. This sets the foundational scripture for his homily:

“Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you... lend, expecting nothing back.”
[00:02]

3. Understanding God's Character: Old vs. New Testament

Fr. Mike addresses a common misconception that the Old Testament portrays God as harsh and the New Testament as merciful. He emphasizes that both Testaments consistently depict God as kind and just.

“There’s no conflict between the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New.”
[09:15]

4. The Principle of Justice in the Old Testament

Using the "eye for an eye" principle, Fr. Mike explains that God's laws in the Old Testament were designed to instill a sense of justice and dignity among His people, teaching restraint and fairness in retribution.

“If someone plucks out your eye, only pluck out the other eye. Just an eye for an eye.”
[12:30]

5. Introduction to the Jubilee Year

Fr. Mike connects the Old Testament teachings to the concept of the Jubilee Year, highlighting its significance as a time of restoration, forgiveness, and freedom.

“The Jubilee Year was a day where debts were forgiven, families were restored, and slaves were set free.”
[18:45]

6. Transition from Justice to Mercy: The New Commandment

Building on the Old Testament's foundation of justice, Jesus' teachings in the New Testament elevate this to a higher standard of mercy and unconditional love, especially towards enemies.

“Love those who don’t deserve it. Do good to those who hate you.”
[22:10]

7. Practical Application: Loving Your Enemies

Fr. Mike provides tangible examples and stories to illustrate how one can practice loving enemies. He emphasizes that this form of love requires strength and deliberate action, beyond mere feelings.

“Do good to those who hate you, even if you don’t feel like it.”
[25:30]

8. Stories Illustrating Mercy and Transformation

Two poignant stories are shared to demonstrate the transformative power of mercy:

• Henri Pranzini’s Repentance: A murderer who, after a convent girl prays for him, experiences a profound change and repents before his execution.

  “Henri Pranzini, this man who was completely unrepentant, kissed the wounds of Jesus as an expression of repentance.”
  [27:50]

• Therese of Lisieux’s Prayers: Saint Therese’s unwavering prayers for a vile murderer exemplify the essence of loving enemies through prayer.

9. The Strength Behind Mercy

Fr. Mike underscores that practicing mercy and unconditional love is challenging and requires inner strength. He reminds listeners that such actions stem from understanding one's own worth and the love already received from God.

“This can only come from a place of strength because if you forget justice, then this is unjust.”
[28:30]

10. Conclusion: Emulating God’s Love

Fr. Mike wraps up by reinforcing that Jesus' teachings are a direct reflection of His love for humanity. By loving the undeserving, speakers emulate the very love that Christ has shown them, thereby fulfilling their divine calling.

“This is how you and I have already been loved. God has given us what we need. That’s mercy.”
[31:50]

Key Takeaways:

• Justice and Mercy: The Old Testament establishes a foundation of justice and human dignity, which the New Testament builds upon with a call to unconditional mercy.
• The Jubilee Year: Represents a paradigm shift from justice-based restitution to mercy-based restoration.
• Practical Mercy: Loving enemies involves actionable steps—doing good, speaking well, and praying for those who harm us.
• Transformative Power: Acts of mercy can lead to profound personal and spiritual transformations, both for the giver and the receiver.
• Emulating Divine Love: By practicing mercy, individuals mirror God's unconditional love, fostering personal growth and societal harmony.

Notable Quotes:

• “Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you.”
  [00:02]

• “There’s no conflict between the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New.”
  [09:15]

• “Do good to those who hate you, even if you don’t feel like it.”
  [25:30]

• “This is how you and I have already been loved. God has given us what we need. That’s mercy.”
  [31:50]

Final Thoughts In "A New Commandment," Fr. Mike Schmitz challenges listeners to transcend natural inclinations towards retribution and instead embrace a higher calling of unconditional love and mercy. By intertwining scriptural analysis with real-life stories, he provides a compelling roadmap for living out Christ's radical love in everyday life.