Podcast Summary: Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz
Episode: Move On: Charcoal Fire
Release Date: May 3, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Publisher: Ascension
Introduction
In the May 4, 2025 episode of Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz, titled Move On: Charcoal Fire, Fr. Mike delves into the profound theme of moving past personal failings and regrets. Drawing inspiration from the Gospel of John (21:1-19), Fr. Mike explores the journey of Simon Peter's restoration after his denial of Jesus, offering insights on repentance, forgiveness, and spiritual growth.
Gospel Reading and Context
Fr. Mike begins the episode with the Gospel reading from John 21:1-19, which recounts Jesus' post-resurrection appearance to His disciples by the Sea of Tiberias. This passage highlights the miraculous catch of fish and, more importantly, Jesus' threefold questioning of Peter’s love, symbolizing Peter's restoration after his denial.
Notable Quote:
"This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead."
(00:37)
Confronting the Past: The Temptation to Move On
Fr. Mike addresses a common human experience: the urge to avoid painful memories and regrets by simply moving on. He empathizes with listeners who grapple with moments of embarrassment or mistakes, wishing to leave them behind without reflection.
Notable Quote:
"It's those moments that just sneak up on you sometimes, and it just... I think of them. They happen to me all the time."
(04:15)
He emphasizes that while the temptation to forget or laugh off past sins exists, this approach is insufficient for true spiritual healing and growth.
Peter's Story: A Mirror for Our Struggles
Using Peter's actions in the Gospel, Fr. Mike illustrates how Peter's initial desire to "move on" aligns with human tendencies to avoid confronting past failures. Peter's return to fishing symbolizes his attempt to return to normalcy, yet Jesus intervenes to guide him towards genuine restoration.
Notable Quote:
"Peter just wants to move on. But here's the interesting thing. I believe that Jesus wants more for Peter than for Peter to merely move on."
(07:10)
Fr. Mike points out that the presence of the charcoal fire beside Jesus is a deliberate reminder of Peter's past failure, compelling him to face and repent rather than escape.
Notable Quote:
"Jesus brings Peter to the place of his ruin. What's the scene? Fishing on the Sea of Galilee... but what is right next to Jesus is a charcoal fire."
(09:30)
The Nature of True Repentance
Fr. Mike distinguishes between mere regret and genuine repentance. He argues that regret alone, as exemplified by Judas and Peter, does not lead to transformation. Instead, true repentance involves a profound change of heart and mind—metanoia—which aligns one's future actions with God's will.
Notable Quote:
"Repentance means to think differently. Another way to say it is to repent is to be convinced of a different way."
(12:10)
He references C.S. Lewis to underscore that sin should not be trivialized or laughed off, emphasizing the seriousness of true repentance over superficial remorse.
Notable Quote:
"Mere time does nothing either to the fact or to the guilt of a sin, the guilt is washed away not by time, but by repentance and the blood of Jesus Christ."
(13:44)
Overcoming the Place of Ruin
Fr. Mike encourages listeners to revisit their own "charcoal fires"—those pivotal moments of failure or shame—not to dwell on them, but to confront and transform them through God's grace. He likens this process to medical debridement, where removing dead tissue is essential for healing.
Notable Quote:
"Jesus takes him to that charcoal fire, he takes him to that place of ruin, and he asks him the question, you can't change your past, but you can change your answer for a new future."
(11:55)
He advocates for regular confession as a means to engage with one's past constructively, proposing a resolution to attend confession at least once a month to facilitate ongoing spiritual renewal.
Notable Quote:
"My invitation is to resolve to return to that charcoal fire confession at least once a month, this entire summer, make that resolution, that decision."
(14:30)
Transformation Through Grace
The episode culminates with Fr. Mike highlighting the ultimate goal of this introspective journey: to become "a wielder of fire" rather than a victim of past sins. By embracing repentance and God's forgiveness, individuals can liberate themselves from past burdens and move forward with renewed purpose and clarity.
Notable Quote:
"Jesus doesn't want you or any of us to be defined by our worst choices. He wants us to repent. He wants us to revisit that place of ruin so that you and I, by His grace, can become a wielder of fire, so that you and I by his grace can be restored."
(15:20)
Conclusion
In this deeply reflective homily, Fr. Mike Schmitz offers a compassionate yet challenging message: moving on from past mistakes is not about forgetting or merely regretting, but about actively confronting and repenting. Through the story of Peter, he illustrates the transformative power of repentance grounded in faith, urging listeners to seek restoration and embrace their God-given potential. This episode serves as a powerful reminder that true healing and growth come from facing our deepest flaws with honesty and divine support.
Key Takeaways:
- Confronting the Past: Avoiding or trivializing past mistakes hampers spiritual growth.
- True Repentance: Beyond regret, repentance involves a fundamental change of heart and direction.
- Role of Confession: Regular confession fosters ongoing transformation and liberation from past sins.
- Divine Restoration: God's grace enables individuals to overcome their failures and realize their true potential.
Actionable Invitation: Fr. Mike invites listeners to commit to regular confession, advocating for at least monthly visits during the summer to actively engage with and transform their past through repentance.
This summary captures the essence of Fr. Mike Schmitz's homily, reflecting on the necessity of facing one's past to achieve true spiritual renewal and growth.