Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz

Episode: 9/21/25 Mini-Mediators
Date: September 20, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz (Ascension)
Scripture Focus: Luke 16:1-13, 1 Timothy, Romans 5

Overview

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz explores the theme of Christian stewardship, focusing on Jesus’ parable of the dishonest steward (Luke 16:1-13) and Paul's teaching on mediation and prayer (1 Timothy). Fr. Mike encourages listeners to see themselves as "mini-mediators"—entrusted by Christ to share and steward God’s grace in prayer and witness—so that what Jesus has accomplished does not "go to waste or end with you." Throughout, he blends scripture, practical advice, and vivid stories to motivate listeners to pray and actively share the Gospel.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Four-Part Gospel (06:00 - 10:00)

• Wedding Readings as Gospel Proclamation:
  Fr. Mike shares anecdotes of couples selecting wedding readings to intentionally present "the gospel in four parts" to their friends and family, including Genesis 2-3, Romans 5, and John 3:16.

• The Four Parts of the Gospel Message:

  • God is good; He created the world and humanity good (Genesis 2, 06:25)
  • Sin broke the world and our relationship with God, others, and ourselves (Genesis 3, 07:10)
  • Jesus bridges the gap as the only mediator, showing God’s ultimate love by dying for us (Romans 5, John 3:16, 07:55)
  • Our response—faith and a willingness to receive and live this new life (08:47)

“Jesus is the bridge between God and us.” (Fr. Mike, 08:05)

2. Christ the Ultimate Mediator and Our Role (10:00 - 16:00)

• Paul’s Letter to Timothy:
  Paul insists God "wills that everyone be saved" and highlights Jesus as "the one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (10:45-12:20).

• Entrusted as "Mini Mediators":
  Fr. Mike draws from Acts 1—Jesus sends out his followers to be witnesses and stewards of grace (12:30).

  • We are entrusted with the Gospel—not just for ourselves, but to pass on.
  • Our stewardship involves not letting what Jesus did for us “go to waste” or “end with us.”

“He makes us mini-mediators, right? He’s the mediator, and as Christians, we’re like mini me. We’re mini mediators.” (Fr. Mike, 13:50)

3. The Steward’s Two Tasks: Prayer and Witness (16:00 - 26:00)

• St. Paul’s Directions:
  Christians must "offer prayers, supplications, petitions, and thanksgivings for everyone" (16:15).

a) Praying for Everyone (16:30 - 23:00)

Fr. Mike breaks down four groups to pray for:

1. Those in Authority:
   People with influence or leadership in the world (politicians, celebrities, etc.)
2. Those Close to You:
   Family, friends, those God has placed in your circle
3. The Hardest Person:
   The individual you least want to pray for—he urges, “they have to make your prayer list” (19:12)
4. Everyone You Pass By:
   Strangers encountered in daily life—he offers simple prayers like “God, just please give them what they need to be yours today” (22:40)

“If Jesus died for everyone, he died for all, then at least, the very least, I can pray for all.” (Fr. Mike, 17:02)

b) Sharing the Story (Witness) (23:00 - 32:00)

• Retell the four-part Gospel in simple language
• Don’t disqualify anyone from your witness—God desires all to be saved.

Illustrative Stories:

• Ozzy Osbourne & the Personalized Bible (23:55 - 28:20): A listener customizes a Bible for Ozzy after hearing he struggles to read scripture. Ozzy deeply values the gift, initiating gospel conversations with his family—demonstrating the impact of stepping out in faith, even with unlikely people.

“He kept your Bible, and it’s on his bedstand. Whenever someone comes over…he wants to show people the Bible that has his name on it.” (Fr. Mike, paraphrasing Jack Osbourne, 28:00)

• James Taylor and the Missed Invitation (28:30 - 30:45): A man reaches out to James Taylor, who in a decades-old interview welcomed conversations about Jesus, but had only ever been approached once.

“I gave that interview 24 years ago and you’re the first person to ever reach out to me and talk to me about Jesus.” (James Taylor, as quoted by Fr. Mike, 30:35)

4. Everyday Opportunities to Be Mini Mediators (32:00 - 35:00)

• Camp Survive & Sharing Good News:
  Fr. Mike notes that after camp, kids default to saying "fine" about their week instead of sharing their spiritual experiences.
  Similarly, adults miss daily openings like “How was your weekend?” to mention mass or the Gospel.

“You have the incredible opportunity, that moment where they open the door and are basically saying, ‘Do you have any good news for me?’” (Fr. Mike, 33:10)

• Simple Evangelization:
  He urges: next time someone asks about your weekend, don’t overlook the opening to witness—even as simply as saying, "I went to mass."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Not Squandering Grace:

  “Jesus, I don’t want to let what you did for me go to waste on me.” (Fr. Mike, 13:05 & 15:50)

• On Responsibility:

  “We cannot let what Jesus did for us end with us.” (Fr. Mike, 35:00)

• On Prayer for All:

  “God wants to make heaven crowded.” (Fr. Mike, 18:20)

• On Everyday Opportunities:

  “Tomorrow, most likely, someone will ask you how your weekend was. And in that moment… you have the opportunity to tell them, even as simply as went to Mass.” (Fr. Mike, 34:15)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:02 – 05:30: Gospel reading & wedding stories
• 06:00 – 10:00: Four-part Gospel, wedding readings
• 10:45 – 13:50: Paul’s teaching: one mediator
• 13:50 – 16:00: Entrusted as mini-mediators
• 16:15 – 23:00: The two roles—prayer and witness; how to pray for all
• 23:55 – 30:45: Testimonies (Ozzy Osbourne, James Taylor)
• 32:00 – 35:00: Camp Survive anecdote; seizing small moments to witness
• 35:00 – End: Concluding challenge to not let God’s grace end with you

Final Takeaway

Fr. Mike urges listeners—students and adults alike—to see themselves as stewards and “mini-mediators” of both prayer and proclamation. We’re called not to let the grace of Jesus stop with us. Whatever settings we find ourselves in, we are challenged to pray for all and to “share the story” wherever the door opens—because God wants to make heaven crowded, and he entrusts the work to us.

“As stewards, I do not want to let what Jesus did for me go to waste on me. I don’t want to squander it. But also the truth is, for us as stewards, we cannot let what Jesus did for us end with us.” (Fr. Mike, 35:00)

Episode Theme in One Line:
“You are entrusted. Don’t let what God has done for you go to waste, or end with you—pray for all, witness to all, and help make heaven crowded.”