Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz

Episode: "All In" – The Assumption of Mary (August 15, 2025)

Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz (Ascension)

Main Theme / Purpose

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz reflects on the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary, focusing on the deeper meaning of Mary being taken body and soul into heaven. Using the Gospel reading (Luke 1:39-56), he unpacks what this feast proclaims about the dignity of the human body, the unique holiness of women, and the radical power of saying "yes" to God—just as Mary did without reservation. He ultimately challenges listeners to consider what it means to go "all in" with God, holding nothing back.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Meaning of the Assumption (03:24)

• The Assumption isn’t just a “super Catholic” tradition about Mary floating off into heaven; rather, it powerfully declares several truths:
  • The goodness and holiness of the body
  • The dignity of women
  • The dignity and power of our response—our “yes”—to God

2. The Dignity & Holiness of the Body (04:23)

• Throughout history, people have often treated the body as something lesser, a burden to escape.
• The Assumption declares, "The body is good. It's not just dignified, it's holy. Mary's body in heaven gives glory to God." (Fr. Mike, 05:01)
• God’s will is that our own bodies will give Him glory for eternity.

3. The Dignity & Holiness of Women (06:02)

• Not only is there a male body in heaven (Jesus), but the Assumption proclaims, “there is a female body in heaven... the dignity and holiness of women.”
• Fr. Mike contrasts Christian teaching with the false “Gospel of Thomas,” where women have to become men to enter heaven, emphasizing instead that “the holiest person who ever lived on the face of the earth, other than God himself, is a woman.” (Fr. Mike, 08:18)

4. The Dignity of Our “Yes” – The Power of Going All In (08:55)

• Mary’s Assumption is also about “the dignity of our response to God.”
• Mary’s fiat—her “let it be done to me according to your will”—was total. There was no backup plan, no half-measures.
• “When she gives this yes, she is holding nothing back.” (Fr. Mike, 10:00)
• Fr. Mike reflects on motherhood: mothers sacrifice their bodies, futures, and independence. “Every mom gives up her pre-mom body for a mom body.” (Fr. Mike, 11:25)
• Mary gave up her body, her future, her reputation, and sacrificed certainty—all in her yes.

5. No Backup Plan Faith (13:08)

• “Mary’s yes was uttered without having any idea the sorrow it would bring, without having any idea the joy it would bring, the loss… but there was no backup plan.” (Fr. Mike)
• God wants to do the same with us—our “yes” becomes holy when we entrust our whole selves to Him.

6. Blueprint for the Christian Life; Invitation to Imitate Mary (15:25)

• “What God has done with Mary, He wants to do with you.”
• Mary is called the “blueprint”—her total gift of self is what every Christian is meant to emulate.
• “Since Mary gave her whole self to God in that yes, He then gave her the whole of heaven.” (Fr. Mike, 16:10)
• She is not the only one meant for such glory; she’s the “first one.”
• God wants all of us—body, mind, soul, future, hopes, dreams, anxieties—offered to Him.

7. What Happens When We Go All In? (18:20)

• “If we give Him our whole life, He’ll raise it.”
• “God doesn’t waste anything we give to Him. He doesn’t waste our suffering, our love, our yes, our sacrifice.” (Fr. Mike, 19:25)
• In our anxieties about what God will do with our yes, today’s feast is a consolation: if we go all in, God will bring our entire selves—all the way through suffering, joy, and love—to Himself.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The assumption of Mary, body and soul into heaven, declares not only that the body has dignity, it declares that the body is actually holy.” — Fr. Mike (05:01)
• “[The Assumption] declares the dignity and holiness of women. The holiest person who ever lived on the face of the earth, other than God himself in Jesus, is a woman.” — Fr. Mike (08:18)
• “Every mom gives up her pre-mom body for a mom body.” — Fr. Mike, reflecting on the cost of motherhood (11:25)
• “When she gives this yes, she is holding nothing back… There’s no backup plan. There’s no safety net. What she’s giving is her whole self.” (10:00)
• “Since Mary gave her whole self to God in that yes, He then gave her the whole of heaven.” (16:10)
• “If we give Him our whole life, He’ll raise it… God doesn’t waste our suffering, our love, our yes, our sacrifice.” (19:25)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:02 – Introduction & Gospel reading (Luke 1:39-56)
• 03:24 – Opening on the meaning of the Assumption
• 04:23 – The body’s dignity and holiness explained
• 06:02 – Dignity of women & comparison with false gospels
• 08:55 – The dignity of our response (Mary’s all-in “yes”)
• 11:25 – Reflection on motherhood and sacrifice
• 13:08 – “No backup plan” faith and its consequences
• 15:25 – Mary as the blueprint for Christians
• 18:20 – What happens when we go all in; God’s response
• 19:25 – “God doesn’t waste anything…” — assurance & challenge

Conclusion

Fr. Mike beautifully weaves together theology, Scripture, and practical insight for the listener. He challenges us to give God our “yes” without reservation, following the example of Mary, whose Assumption proclaims the dignity of the body, the holiness of women, and the transformative power of total surrender. The invitation: Don’t hold back. Go all in with God—He will raise, redeem, and glorify all that you place in His hands.