Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz – Episode: "Face to Face: Till We Have Faces" (Released December 14, 2024)

In this compelling episode of Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz, hosted by Ascension, Father Mike delves deep into the themes of self-deception, honest prayer, and the true essence of our relationship with God. Drawing parallels from C.S. Lewis's Till We Have Faces and biblical narratives, Fr. Mike offers profound insights on preparing ourselves to stand before the Lord face to face.

1. Advent Reflection: Living with Intentionality

[00:00]
Fr. Mike opens the homily with a provocative question: “What if you knew that December 25th Christmas Day was the day that you were going to wake up dead?” He challenges listeners to consider how this knowledge would transform their observance of Advent—from mere tradition to purposeful living with intentionality and grace.

2. Personal Anecdote: Family Gift-Giving Struggles

[00:05]
Fr. Mike shares a heartfelt story from Thanksgiving, highlighting the universal adult struggle with gift exchanges among siblings. He reflects on his reluctance to create Christmas lists, fearing that revealing his true desires might lead to misunderstanding or disappointment. This narrative sets the stage for his broader discussion on honesty and self-awareness.

3. The Power of Narratives and Self-Deception

[00:15]
Drawing from his favorite movie, It's a Wonderful Life, Fr. Mike illustrates how individuals often construct narratives that distort their self-perception. He recounts George Bailey's false story of being a failure, contrasting it with the truth revealed by God. This example underscores the human tendency to deceive ourselves about our true worth and accomplishments.

Notable Quote:
"We do this even if we don't realize it, because often we don't realize the story we're telling ourselves." – Fr. Mike [08:45]

4. Exploring C.S. Lewis's Till We Have Faces

[00:25]
Fr. Mike introduces C.S. Lewis's Till We Have Faces, providing an overview of its plot and themes. The story centers on Oriwel, a princess who grapples with her perceived ugliness and her complicated relationship with her beautiful sister, Psyche. Fr. Mike emphasizes how Oriwel's conflicted narrative leads to resentment and a distorted view of love and divinity.

Key Points:

• Oriwel's self-deprecation and her demeaning narratives about herself and the gods.
• The false accusation against the gods, revealing her inner turmoil and unmet desires.

Notable Quote:
"She realizes the truth of her heart only when she confronts the divine judgment." – Fr. Mike [25:30]

5. Biblical Parallels: The Prodigal and the Older Son

[00:45]
Fr. Mike draws parallels between Oriwel's story and the biblical parables of the Prodigal Son and the Older Son from Luke, Chapter 15.

• Prodigal Son: The younger son's rehearsed speech of unworthiness contrasted with his father's unconditional love exemplifies the discrepancy between our self-perception and God's view of us.

• Older Son: The older son's resentment and false narrative about his father's favoritism highlight the dangers of pride and unacknowledged desires.

Notable Quote:
"Both sons had their speeches, their stories, but the Father revealed the true truth beyond their narratives." – Fr. Mike [17:20]

6. Honest Prayer: Revealing the True Heart to God

[01:05]
Central to Fr. Mike's message is the concept of honest prayer—a sincere and transparent dialogue with God. He urges listeners to move beyond rehearsed speeches and narratives, advocating for a genuine revelation of one's true self.

Key Points:

• Self-Examination: Understanding and acknowledging the stories we tell ourselves.
• Authenticity: Presenting our true desires and flaws to God without pretense.
• Transformation: Allowing God to reveal the truth and transform our self-perception.

Notable Quote:
"Honest prayer is like the prayer of the younger son—sincere, unguarded, and true." – Fr. Mike [22:10]

7. Conclusion: Preparing to Stand Before God Face to Face

Fr. Mike concludes by reiterating the importance of preparing ourselves to encounter God authentically. He emphasizes that only by discarding false narratives and embracing our true selves can we stand before the Lord face to face. This Advent season, he encourages listeners to engage in honest introspection and sincere prayer, fostering a deeper and more meaningful relationship with God.

Final Thought:
"We have to be honest. We have to have that moment where we say, okay, God, this is my heart. This is the moment we can begin to see the Lord face to face." – Fr. Mike [28:50]

Key Takeaways:

• Intentional Living: Approaching Advent with purpose and grace transforms our spiritual journey.
• Self-Awareness: Recognizing the narratives we construct about ourselves is crucial for spiritual growth.
• Honest Prayer: Genuine communication with God requires vulnerability and authenticity.
• Divine Truth: God's perspective reveals our true worth beyond our self-imposed stories.
• Preparation for Eternity: Authenticity in our earthly lives is essential for our eternal encounter with God.

Fr. Mike's homily serves as a poignant reminder to strip away the facades and present our unvarnished selves to God. By doing so, we align ourselves with divine truth, paving the way for a transformative Advent experience.