Podcast Summary: “Face to Face: Two Words”
Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz
Release Date: December 25, 2024

Introduction

In the Christmas Day episode titled “Face to Face: Two Words” of Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz, hosted by Ascension, Fr. Mike delves into profound reflections on mortality, gratitude, and the ever-present divine in our lives. Drawing from the Advent season's themes of preparation, Fr. Mike invites listeners to contemplate the moment of meeting God face to face and the simple yet profound words that encapsulate a lifetime of faith.

Theme: Preparing to Meet God Face to Face

Fr. Mike begins by contextualizing the homily within the Advent season, emphasizing a 25-day reflection on mortality:

[12:30] “We've been asking the question, what would happen if I woke up on this day on Christmas Day and I was dead? How would I live Advent differently?”

This contemplation serves as a backdrop for understanding how to live each day with the awareness of God's perpetual presence.

Imagining the Moment of Meeting God

Fr. Mike invites listeners to vividly imagine the moment of death, standing before God:

[05:45] “Imagine opening your eyes and seeing God himself and realizing, here's my whole life of letting the Lord heal you and letting the Lord pick you up...”

He underscores the significance of this encounter by highlighting the cumulative experiences of prayer, love, brokenness, and joy that define a person's life.

The Central Question: What Do You Say?

A pivotal point in the homily is the introspective question posed to listeners:

[09:10] “What would be the word that would just kind of erupt out of you as you're looking at God himself?”

Fr. Mike references the Christian song “I Can Only Imagine” to illustrate potential responses, such as dancing, worshiping, or expressing apologies.

The Power of Two Words: “Thank You”

Fr. Mike posits that amid myriad possible reactions, two words encapsulate the essence of a faithful life:

[17:00] “And those two words are thank you.”

He elaborates on how gratitude transcends every aspect of our relationship with God, encompassing moments of weakness, joy, suffering, and fulfillment. Examples include:

• Gratitude for grace in brokenness:
  [18:15] “Thank you, God, for when I was broken and you helped me.”

• Gratitude for unwavering faith despite failures:
  [19:30] “Thank you, God, for every beat of joy.”

Gratitude as the Foundation of Faith

Fr. Mike emphasizes that gratitude furnishes a sense of sufficiency and fulfillment:

[24:50] “The one who has gratitude has enough. The one who is grateful has enough.”

This sentiment serves as a cornerstone for living a life deeply connected to God, where every day reflects an eternal presence.

Advent’s Triple Preparation

He revisits the Advent season's threefold purpose:

1. First Coming: Celebrating Christ's birth at Christmas.
2. Second Coming: Preparing to recognize Christ as He returns.
3. Eternal Meeting: Anticipating the face-to-face encounter in eternity.

[26:20] “The only way to be ready is to get ready.”

Recognizing Christ in Daily Life

Fr. Mike shifts focus to the immediacy of experiencing Christ through daily practices:

[33:15] “He steps into our lives through his word, through prayer... through his sacraments.”

He stresses that recognizing Christ in everyday moments bridges the gap between temporal life and eternal communion.

St. Ambrose’s Insight: Seeing Christ in the Sacraments

Drawing inspiration from St. Ambrose, Fr. Mike highlights the profound connection believers can have with Christ without a physical encounter during His earthly ministry:

[40:05] “You have shown yourself to me, O Christ, face to face, I meet you in your sacraments.”

This testament underscores the sanctity of the sacraments as tangible encounters with the divine.

Conclusion: Living in Eternal Thanksgiving

Fr. Mike wraps up the homily by reinforcing that every moment lived in gratitude mirrors the eternal acknowledgment of God’s presence:

[50:40] “Every day can be heaven. Every day we live in the presence of Jesus... and utter those words: Thank you.”

He encourages listeners to integrate this gratitude into their daily lives, ensuring that the divine is not only a future hope but a present reality.

Notable Quotes

• On Gratitude and Sufficiency:
  [24:50] “The one who has gratitude has enough. The one who is grateful has enough.”

• On Eternal Communion:
  [50:40] “Every day can be heaven. Every day we live in the presence of Jesus...”

• On Sacramental Encounter:
  [40:05] “You have shown yourself to me, O Christ, face to face, I meet you in your sacraments.”

Final Thoughts

In this Christmas installment, Fr. Mike Schmitz eloquently weaves together themes of preparation, gratitude, and the continual presence of God. By envisioning the ultimate encounter with the divine, he inspires listeners to cultivate a life of thankfulness, recognizing Christ not just in moments of reflection but in every aspect of daily existence. This homily serves as a heartfelt reminder that gratitude is not only a pathway to spiritual readiness but also the essence of living a life intertwined with God's eternal love.