Summary of "The Reason Why" Episode (Released July 19, 2025)
Podcast: Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Duration: Approximately 20-30 minutes
Introduction
In the episode titled "The Reason Why," Fr. Mike Schmitz delves into the essential motivations behind our actions and service to God. Drawing from the Gospel of Luke, personal anecdotes, and insights from esteemed saints, Fr. Mike explores the profound question: Why do we do what we do for God?
Gospel Reflection: Martha and Mary (00:02 - 07:00)
Fr. Mike begins by reading a passage from Luke 10:38-42, which narrates the story of Martha and Mary. He emphasizes Martha's role as a dedicated host who welcomes Jesus and serves Him diligently, contrasted with Mary, who chooses to sit at Jesus' feet to listen and learn.
"Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her." (Timestamp: 01:45)
Fr. Mike reflects on Martha's burdensome service, questioning not the actions themselves but the underlying motivation and attitude. He challenges listeners to examine why they engage in service and whether their actions stem from a genuine love for Jesus or from anxiety and duty.
Personal Anecdote: The Upper Room Choir Incident (02:30 - 04:30)
Fr. Mike shares a poignant story from a trip to Israel, where he hosted a group of college students. They visited a recreated Upper Room, renowned for its acoustics and historical significance.
During the visit, a Lutheran choir performed a breathtaking a cappella piece. Inspired, Fr. Mike swiftly recorded the performance to share with his students. However, his attempt was marred by his off-key singing, which he humorously admits "completely ruined the recording."
"They are all like, 'Can you please send that recording?' So I start sending it out... Eventually, they told me not to. I had to realize that what I tried to offer was not wanted." (Timestamp: 03:50)
This experience serves as a metaphor for Martha's offering—frantic and perhaps misplaced efforts that, while well-intentioned, miss the essence of true worship and service.
The Heart of Service: Love for Jesus (04:30 - 07:00)
Transitioning from the anecdote, Fr. Mike delves deeper into the core motivation behind our actions. He recounts a story shared by Father Seth during a Holy Thursday homily, where Father Tom Foster challenges Father Seth's reasons for pursuing priesthood beyond superficial answers like wanting to help people.
Ultimately, Father Seth articulates a profound truth:
"I'm doing this for the love of Jesus." (Timestamp: 05:50)
This revelation resonates deeply with Fr. Mike, aligning with teachings from saints such as St. Francis de Sales and St. Teresa of Avila, who emphasized that the quality of love behind actions is paramount.
"A single act done with ardent love is worth more than a thousand done with lesser affection." — St. Francis de Sales (Timestamp: 06:15)
"It's not so much what we do, but the love with which we do it." — St. Teresa of Avila (Timestamp: 06:45)
Integrating Love into Daily Life (07:00 - 12:00)
Fr. Mike encourages listeners to adopt love for Jesus as the foundational reason for all actions—whether serving, working, resting, or even suffering. He emphasizes that every task, no matter how small or significant, gains eternal value when performed out of love.
Referencing St. Paul's letters to the Corinthians, Fr. Mike underscores that without love, even the most miraculous acts lack true meaning.
"If I speak in human and angelic tongues... but do not have love, I am nothing." (Timestamp: 08:20)
He shares how this perspective transformed his approach to ministry, shifting his motivations from duty to heartfelt love.
Embracing Suffering for the Sake of the Church (12:00 - 15:00)
Drawing from the second reading, Fr. Mike cites Colossians 1, where St. Paul expresses joy in his sufferings for the sake of the church.
"I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my body I'm making up for what is lacking in the sufferings of Jesus for the sake of his body, the church." (Timestamp: 13:10)
He explains that John Paul II clarified this by stating that Jesus' sufferings are complete, but believers are invited to share in His mission by uniting their sufferings with His.
"As often as we embrace that cross... we get to participate in saving the world." (Timestamp: 14:05)
Fr. Mike reassures those undergoing hardships that their pain can be a profound offering to God when aligned with Jesus' redemptive suffering.
Returning to Martha: The Heart's Condition (15:00 - 18:00)
Fr. Mike revisits the story of Martha, stressing that the issue wasn't her service but her heart's anxiety—questioning Jesus' care despite her efforts.
"Lord, do you not care? ... I just want to know if you care." (Timestamp: 16:30)
He draws parallels to modern life, where individuals may question God's attention amid their busyness or suffering. The homily emphasizes that God’s unwavering love ensures that every sincere offering, from service to suffering, is meaningful.
Final Reflection: Uniting Our Offerings with Divine Grace (18:00 - 20:30)
Concluding his homily, Fr. Mike reflects on his earlier choir story, highlighting that while his contribution was flawed, the moment remained sacred because he sought to unite his effort with the choir's divine praise.
"In that moment, God was praised. It wasn't about my solo; it was about joining my small gift to something greater." (Timestamp: 19:45)
He urges listeners to see their daily actions and sacrifices as opportunities to partner with God's divine work, ensuring that every act, whether grand or humble, serves a higher purpose when offered in love.
Conclusion
Fr. Mike Schmitz’s "The Reason Why" serves as a heartfelt reminder that the true essence of our service and actions lies in the love that fuels them. By aligning our motivations with a genuine love for Jesus, every aspect of our lives—from moments of joy to times of suffering—becomes a meaningful offering to God.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
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"Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her." (01:45)
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"They are all like, 'Can you please send that recording?' So I start sending it out... Eventually, they told me not to. I had to realize that what I tried to offer was not wanted." (03:50)
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"I'm doing this for the love of Jesus." (05:50)
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"A single act done with ardent love is worth more than a thousand done with lesser affection." — St. Francis de Sales (06:15)
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"It's not so much what we do, but the love with which we do it." — St. Teresa of Avila (06:45)
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"If I speak in human and angelic tongues... but do not have love, I am nothing." (08:20)
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"I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my body I'm making up for what is lacking in the sufferings of Jesus for the sake of his body, the church." (13:10)
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"Lord, do you not care? ... I just want to know if you care." (16:30)
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"In that moment, God was praised. It wasn't about my solo; it was about joining my small gift to something greater." (19:45)
Key Takeaways
- Motivation Matters: The underlying reason for our actions—rooted in love for Jesus—determines their eternal significance.
- Quality of Love: Emulating saints like St. Francis de Sales and St. Teresa of Avila, the love behind our deeds surpasses their outward appearance.
- Unified Purpose: Aligning our individual efforts with God’s divine plan enhances the collective mission of the Church.
- Suffering with Purpose: Embracing and uniting our sufferings with Christ’s can transform personal hardships into redemptive offerings.
- Heart’s Condition: True service is not just about actions but the state of our hearts and our relationship with God.
Final Thoughts
Fr. Mike Schmitz's homily offers profound insights into living a life of intentional love and service. By continually questioning "Why do I do this?" and aligning our motives with a heartfelt love for Jesus, we ensure that our lives become authentic testimonies of faith and devotion.