Summary of "Memento Mori" Episode of Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz

Podcast Information:

• Title: Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz
• Host/Author: Ascension
• Description: Catholic priest Fr. Mike Schmitz delivers weekly homilies based on Sunday Mass Scripture readings, encouraging listeners to live fully as individuals created by God. The 20-30 minute sermons aim to ground faith, strengthen hearts, and transform lives. Fr. Mike serves as the Newman chaplain for University Minnesota Duluth’s Bulldog Catholic campus ministry in Duluth, Minnesota.
• Episode: 08/03/25 Memento Mori
• Release Date: August 2, 2025

Introduction to Memento Mori

Fr. Mike Schmitz opens the homily by sharing a personal anecdote from his high school years, highlighting his encounter with the concept of memento mori ("remember you must die"). He recalls a painting of St. Francis of Assisi holding a human skull, which profoundly impacted him by reinforcing the transient nature of life and possessions.

“There’s something about that image, that picture, that painting that resonated with me and I just... remembered that your life is not going to go on forever.” ([05:30])

Understanding Memento Mori

Fr. Mike delves into the meaning of memento mori, explaining that it serves as a reminder of mortality to prioritize what truly matters. He contrasts the misinterpretation of vanity of vanities from Ecclesiastes, which can lead to nihilism, with the Christian understanding that acknowledging mortality should lead to a more meaningful life centered on God.

“Memento mori. Remember your death, and remember God, there is more.” ([12:45])

Reflection on Modern Life

Using a contemporary example, Fr. Mike references a reality TV show season from March 2020, observing how the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic rendered the participants' conflicts and stresses meaningless overnight. He relates this to everyday concerns, emphasizing that many of our worries are transient and should not overshadow our spiritual lives.

“It's going to say that you are so stressed about all these things... and tomorrow you're going to get a phone call that says, hey, your season is over and it's all going to be gone.” ([15:10])

The Christian Response to Mortality

Fr. Mike contrasts the stoic philosophy of memento mori with the Christian perspective, which not only acknowledges death but also emphasizes the eternal life and relationship with God. He underscores that remembering death should lead believers to evaluate their values and priorities in light of eternity.

“Memento mori...it all matters, it’s all going to end, therefore, how well you live.” ([20:05])

Personal Application and Community Support

Inviting listeners to introspect, Fr. Mike asks reflective questions about current worries and stresses, encouraging them to surrender these concerns to God. He shares insights from Dr. Linda Waite’s study on marriages, illustrating how initial crises can lead to long-term happiness if couples remain committed, reinforcing the idea that current hardships are temporary.

“What is breaking your heart right now? I think there's even a pause on this one...to know that your heart will not remain broken.” ([25:40])

Dying to the Old Self

Fr. Mike discusses St. Paul's teachings from Colossians, emphasizing that Christians have symbolically died at baptism and must continue to "put to death" sinful aspects of their lives. He identifies three primary areas of struggle: sex, stuff (material possessions), and speech, and provides practical steps to overcome these challenges.

“Remember, you have died. So what are the parts of us that keep saying mine?... St. Paul says, Stop lying to one another. Always tell the truth.” ([35:50])

Practical Steps for Spiritual Growth

1. Be Patient with Yourself: Acknowledge personal struggles and allow time for growth.
2. Be Ruthless with Your Environment: Remove temptations and avoid situations that lead to sin.
3. Cultivate Generosity: Develop a habit of scheduled giving to counteract greed and possessiveness.

“You have to be patient with yourself. But be ruthless with your environment in the sense that... just have to shut the door and actually kind of purge my environment of any access to this.” ([40:15])

Embracing Generosity

Fr. Mike emphasizes the importance of scheduled acts of kindness over spontaneous ones. By intentionally planning generosity, believers can develop lasting habits that reflect Christ’s love and openness to the Holy Spirit.

“If we don’t cultivate the habit of being generous, which means I’ve assessed what I have and I’ve made the decision ahead of time... the Holy Spirit will never be able to live in our lives.” ([45:30])

The Power of Truthfulness

Addressing the issue of dishonesty, Fr. Mike stresses the necessity of truth in speech. He identifies common motives for lying—either to obtain something undeserved or to avoid rightful consequences—and urges listeners to commit to honesty as a reflection of their faith.

“If we do those three things... we will have that new life in Christ.” ([50:00])

Concluding Prayer

Fr. Mike concludes with the prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola, emphasizing total surrender to God’s will. This prayer encapsulates the essence of memento mori by remembering both the inevitability of death and the importance of living a life wholly dedicated to God.

“Take Lord, receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding and my entire will... Give me only your love and your grace, and that is enough for me.” ([55:20])

Key Takeaways:

• Memento Mori: A call to remember mortality to prioritize spiritual over material concerns.
• Christian Perspective: Unlike nihilism, Christianity uses memento mori to deepen faith and relationship with God.
• Practical Application: Embrace patience, environmental changes, generosity, and truthfulness to live a Christ-centered life.
• Eternal Perspective: Acknowledging death leads to evaluating what truly matters, fostering long-term happiness and fulfillment.

Notable Quotes:

• “Memento mori. Remember your death, and remember God, there is more.” ([12:45])
• “You have died. So what are the parts of us that keep saying mine?... Stop lying to one another.” ([35:50])
• “Take Lord, receive all my liberty... Give me only your love and your grace, and that is enough for me.” ([55:20])

This homily serves as a profound reminder to live with intention, grounded in faith, and conscious of our ultimate destiny, encouraging listeners to align their lives with God’s eternal purpose.