Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz

Episode 123141: “Taken For Granted”
Date: December 31, 2025
Main Theme:
Fr. Mike Schmitz urges listeners, at the start of the new year and the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, to recognize and resist the tendency to take life, faith, and God’s gifts for granted. He explores the theology of Mary’s title, shares personal stories on gratitude, and recommends practices to cultivate reflection and awareness of blessings.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Experience of Taking Things for Granted

(Starts ~03:45)

• Fr. Mike candidly admits, “I take a lot for granted. And I think maybe I’m not alone in that.”
• He recalls a recent conversation with a young new father during baptism prep for his daughter, Margaret Jo. The father reflects on:
  • How he used to see all babies as indistinguishable (“just like a little potato”), but now sees the unique beauty and personality in his own child.
  • The realization that everything he now does for his daughter (feeding, caring, comforting) was once done for him by his own parents, which has shifted his gratitude towards them.
• Notable Quote:
  • “See a baby, just a baby. See my daughter. I’m like, not just a baby.” (Fr. Mike recounting the young dad’s words, 05:50)

2. The Feast of Mary, Mother of God: Why It Matters

(Begins ~08:35)

• Fr. Mike explains how even major truths of the faith can be taken for granted, specifically the title “Mary, Mother of God.”
• Historical theological debates questioned at what point Jesus became God (birth, baptism, conception), but the Church affirmed:
  • Jesus is eternally a divine person—He did not become God, He always was God.
  • At the Incarnation, the divine person took on a human nature.
  • Thus, Mary is rightly called “Mother of God” (Theotokos)—not because she is mother of Jesus’ divinity, but because she bore the person who is God.
• Notable Quote:
  • “Jesus is a divine person…the eternal divine person, Second Person of the Trinity. That divine person at one point in time took on a human nature in the Virgin Mary’s womb… Therefore, Mary is the Mother of God.” (11:15)

3. The Habit of Reflection vs. Rushing Through Life

(Begins ~14:10)

• Drawing from Luke’s Gospel, Fr. Mike highlights Mary’s example: “Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.”
• He confesses his own tendency to rush from thing to thing, making no time for reflection. He likens a full life (with no room for God) to the innkeepers of Bethlehem: “If I don’t make room, it’s like Jesus, Mary and Joseph looking for a room in the inn, and there’s no room.”
• Notable Quote:
  • “It’s like God Himself knocking on the door of my heart, saying, ‘Can I come in?’ But there’s no room. Why? Because there’s no time. Why? Because things are just too full.” (15:45)

4. Mortality and the Ticking of Time

(Around 17:10)

• Fr. Mike reflects on the transition between years—2025 has ended, 2026 begins—and our tendency to gloss over these turning points without true awareness or gratitude.
• He challenges listeners: “We have no idea if we’re going to make it through this day,” underscoring the fragility of life and the unknown future.
• Resolution: “I will not take these things for granted. I will not take life for granted. I won’t take what God has done for me for granted.”

5. Practical Tools for Making Room and Growing in Gratitude

(Begins ~18:05)

• Fr. Mike suggests the practice of the Consciousness Examen—a daily review to foster awareness of God’s presence and blessings:
  1. Call upon the Holy Spirit.
  2. Review the day for moments of gratitude—where did God bless me?
  3. Acknowledge moments of failure—where did I refuse or ignore God’s grace? Repent.
• For those short on time, he proposes a simpler practice (previously discussed on the podcast): the “High, Low, God Moment”:
  • At the end of the day, ask: What was the high point? The low point? The “God moment”?
• Notable Quote:
  • “It is a blessing to refuse to take life for granted. But that’s what we’re called to do on this first day of the new year.” (20:40)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “See a baby, just a baby. See my daughter. I’m like, not just a baby.” (Young dad’s reflection, 05:50)
• “Jesus is a divine person…the eternal divine person, Second Person of the Trinity. That divine person at one point in time took on a human nature in the Virgin Mary’s womb… Therefore, Mary is the Mother of God.” (11:15)
• “It’s like God Himself knocking on the door of my heart, saying, ‘Can I come in?’ But there’s no room. Why? Because there’s no time. Why? Because things are just too full.” (15:45)
• “We have no idea if any of us are still going to be alive at that moment. We have no idea if we're going to make it through this day. And yet I take so much for granted.” (17:28)
• “It is a blessing to refuse to take life for granted. But that’s what we’re called to do on this first day of the new year.” (20:40)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Opening Reflection on Taking Things for Granted: 03:45–07:30
• Theology of Mary, Mother of God: 08:35–13:25
• Mary’s Reflection and the Modern Pace of Life: 14:10–16:35
• Contemplating Mortality & The Gift of Time: 17:10–18:00
• Daily Practices: Examen & High-Low-God Moment: 18:05–end (~22:00)

Recap

Fr. Mike Schmitz’s homily for the New Year and the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, is a heartfelt challenge to listeners: reflect more, take less for granted, and actively make room for God’s presence and blessings in daily life. Through relatable stories, clear theological teaching, and practical habits, he guides the faithful to begin the year with gratitude and intentionality—honoring both God and the people in our lives who bless us beyond measure.