Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz
Episode: "Meant to Be"
Date: November 8, 2025 | Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Theme: Living as the Presence of God—What Christians are Meant to Be
Episode Overview
In this homily, Fr. Mike Schmitz reflects on the meaning of dedication and consecration, focusing on the Feast of the Dedication of St. John Lateran. Drawing from the Sunday Scripture readings—especially John 2:13-22—he explores how God’s presence is meant to dwell within all Christians, not merely in buildings. He challenges listeners to reclaim what it truly means to be dedicated as temples of the Holy Spirit, becoming agents of transformation and salvation in a hurting world.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Gospel Context & Historical Roots
[00:02-05:00]
- Fr. Mike begins by reading John 2:13-22, recounting Jesus cleansing the Temple.
- He highlights the symbolism of the Temple in Jerusalem and connects it with the Feast being celebrated:
“Today we celebrate the Feast of the dedication of St. John Lateran... It’s the mother church of all Catholic churches.”
- Explains dedication/consecration as “being set apart for a purpose.”
- Purpose of St. John Lateran:
- A sign of unity for Catholics worldwide.
- A visible sign of God's invisible presence.
2. The Temple: Then and Now
[05:00-10:30]
- The Temple’s function: the abode of God’s presence and the site of salvation.
- References Ezekiel’s vision of life-giving water flowing from the Temple (paralleling the Gospel passage):
"From the right side of the temple flowed this stream... it gave life wherever it flowed."
- Draws the connection to Jesus, pierced on the right side on the cross, with blood and water (symbols of Eucharist and Baptism) flowing out.
3. Christians as Living Temples
[10:30-14:20]
- St. Paul’s teaching: Believers are “God’s building”—living temples of the Holy Spirit.
- Christians are meant to manifest God’s presence and be the means of salvation in the world:
“Wherever we are, that's where God's presence is... we're meant to be the vehicle through which God saves the world.” (12:15)
- Historical examples of Christians transforming civilization:
- Introduction of mercy, compassion, and the concept of intrinsic human dignity.
- Catholics founding orphanages, hospitals, schools, universities, and shaping legal systems and culture.
4. Rise, Fall, and Recall of Christian Purpose
[14:20-19:40]
- Laments that many places once dedicated to God’s presence—like churches—are now deconsecrated or repurposed:
“You drive by a church and you say, 'Oh, that used to be a Catholic church and now it's a museum.'” (16:05)
- Urges self-reflection: Are Christians still living as dedicated vessels, or are we only relics of what we 'used to be'?
- Quotes St. Catherine of Siena:
“If you were who you were meant to be, you would set the world on fire.” (17:35)
5. The Huts of Refuge: A Metaphor
[19:40-22:40]
- Shares the story of the Massachusetts Humane Society’s “huts of refuge” on New England’s coast:
“If there was a storm, it was your job to... row out into the storm in order to save anyone, any survivors from this shipwreck.” (20:45)
- Over time, the Society became less active in life-saving; now focused on other good deeds but not their original, bold mission.
- Relates this to the Church—once urgently life-saving, now sometimes passive:
“We used to save lives. That's what we used to be.”
6. A Personal, Practical Call
[22:40-26:45]
- Challenges the listener directly:
“What if we were who we were meant to be? We'd say to all those people who are lonely, 'Okay, I can be that friend.'” (23:55)
- Suggests practical ways Christians can reach out: friendship for the lonely, hope for the hopeless, love for the unloved, purpose for the wandering.
- Acknowledges the fear and past failure; encourages faithfulness regardless:
“I've tried it already and I failed. What if I try and I do the wrong thing? ... The original Humane Society... had a motto: 'You have to go out. You don't have to come back.'” (25:05–25:32)
7. Conclusion — What We’re Meant to Be
[26:45-End]
- Observes a growing awareness in the Church about returning to her core purpose.
- Affirms each listener’s vocation:
“You are meant to be a temple of God. You're meant to be dedicated, like St. John Lateran...to be God's presence and the vehicle of his saving the world.” (27:20)
- Repeats the urging:
“If you and I become who we're meant to be, it'll set the world on fire.” (27:50)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On the meaning of dedication:
"To be dedicated means to be consecrated... set apart for a purpose." (05:55)
- On Christian identity and history:
“Wherever we are, that's where God's presence is. And we're meant to be those—the place, the vehicle through which God saves the world.” (12:15)
- The lament of lost purpose:
“That used to be where God would dwell among us. When it's deconsecrated, it used to be the place the world was saved.” (16:41)
- St. Catherine of Siena’s challenge:
“If you were who you were meant to be, you would set the world on fire.” (17:35)
- On the call to risk and self-sacrifice:
“When there's a storm... you have to go out. You don't have to come back.” (25:30)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Gospel Reading & Dedication of St. John Lateran: 00:02–05:00
- Temple Imagery, Ezekiel’s Vision, and Christ: 05:00–10:30
- St. Paul & Christians as Living Temples: 10:30–14:20
- Catholic Transformation of Society: 14:20–17:35
- Churches as ‘Used to Be’—St. Catherine’s Quote: 16:05–17:40
- Huts of Refuge Metaphor: 19:40–22:40
- Direct Appeals and Practical Examples: 22:40–26:45
- Challenge & Vision for the Future: 26:45–End
Takeaways
Fr. Mike’s sermon masterfully weaves biblical, historical, and contemporary threads into a powerful call to his congregation. Christians are not 'used to be' saints—they are meant, in each age, to be God’s living presence, bearing hope, purpose, and the Gospel’s saving power. Dedication isn’t about brick and mortar, but about lives set apart for others—willing to risk, to reach, and to set the world on fire with love.