Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz

Episode Title: "Proximity or Intimacy"
Date: January 3, 2026
Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12 (The Visit of the Magi)
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz (Ascension)

Overview

In this Epiphany-themed homily, Fr. Mike Schmitz explores the essential difference between simply being near to God (“proximity”) and truly drawing close to Him in love and commitment (“intimacy”). Drawing from the Gospel account of the Magi’s journey to see the infant Jesus, he challenges listeners to reflect on whether Christ’s closeness in their own lives leads them towards deeper relationship or towards indifference (or even hostility). Throughout, Fr. Mike encourages concrete personal change as evidence of true intimacy with God.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Problem of Proximity Without Intimacy

• Fr. Mike begins with a personal story about growing up in Brainerd, MN—home to Paul Bunyan Amusement Park.
• He recalls how he and his siblings lived close to this attraction but only visited rarely, which leads to the theme:
  • "Sometimes we confuse proximity for maybe intimacy."
    — Fr. Mike Schmitz [04:06]
• He relates this to faith: Many people live physically close to a Catholic church (and thus to Christ in the Eucharist), yet lack a real relationship or intimacy with Him.

2. Pilgrimages and Taken-for-Granted Proximity

• Fr. Mike notes the irony of pilgrims traveling thousands of miles to places that are someone else’s everyday parish.
  • "Your home parish is my pilgrimage site that we travel from across the world just to be able to pray, where you get to pray every single day, or where you get to choose not to pray every single day."
    — Fr. Mike Schmitz [08:17]
• He stresses that the extraordinary can become overlooked simply because it’s always available.

3. Gospel Comparison: Wise Seekers vs. Indifferent Neighbors

• The Magi travel long distances seeking the newborn King, at personal cost.
• Herod, by contrast, is only six miles away but doesn't bother to visit:
  • "Herod lived six miles from Bethlehem. It would have taken him virtually no time at all to go and see this child…we just can't be bothered. And how much of this marks our own hearts?"
    — Fr. Mike Schmitz [12:04]
• Introduces the Japanese term "mendokusai" (めんどくさい) meaning "can’t be bothered," as a descriptor for spiritual indifference.

4. Proximity Leads to Intimacy or Hostility

• Fr. Mike highlights the choice presented by Christ’s nearness: it softens some hearts but hardens others.
  • "Will that proximity lead to intimacy or will that proximity lead to hostility? … When it comes to God, we can’t just kind of be. We can’t remain indifferent."
    — Fr. Mike Schmitz [16:12]
• Indifference is not neutral: over time, it becomes either love or resentment.
  • Relates this to Herod (hostility) versus the Magi (intimacy and worship).

5. Practical Application: Love Requires Sacrifice

• Applies this idea to real-life scenarios, like marriages between Catholics and non-Catholics.
  • "What happens when your following Jesus costs them something?...At some point, the closeness of God is going to cost us something. And either that closeness melts my heart and I belong to him, or that closeness hardens my heart."
    — Fr. Mike Schmitz [18:53]
• Stresses that true intimacy with Jesus requires surrender and, sometimes, real-life change.

6. What Do We Offer God?

• The Magi bring gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Fr. Mike asks what we can offer:
  • Quotes St. Augustine: "The only thing I can give to God that is truly mine are my sins."
• Highlights that God desires both our worst (sins) and our best (our heart, our will, our obedience).
  • "If you love me, you'll keep my commandments, says the Lord Jesus."
    — [22:11]

7. The Mark of True Transformation

• The Magi "return to their country by another way" (Matthew 2:12).
• Fr. Mike interprets this spiritually: genuine encounters with Christ should lead to actual change.
  • "How often we come to Mass and we don’t expect to be changed at all. … We're approaching the true and living God...and we expect to remain unchanged."
    — Fr. Mike Schmitz [25:15]
• Challenges the congregation to reflect: what concrete change, even physical, in your environment could help you grow closer to Jesus?

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Sometimes we confuse proximity for maybe intimacy." — Fr. Mike Schmitz [04:06]
• "Your home parish is my pilgrimage site." — [08:17]
• "Herod lived six miles from Bethlehem. … we just can't be bothered. And how much of this marks our own hearts?" — [12:04]
• "Will that proximity lead to intimacy or will that proximity lead to hostility? … When it comes to God, we can’t just kind of be. We can’t remain indifferent." — [16:12]
• "The only thing that I can give to God that is truly mine are my sins." — quoting St. Augustine [21:36]
• "How often we come to mass and we don’t expect to be changed at all." — [25:15]

Key Timestamps

• [00:02] – Opening; Gospel reading (Matthew 2)
• [04:00-07:00] – Paul Bunyan Amusement Park: proximity versus experience
• [08:00-10:00] – Pilgrimages and the irony of everyday holiness
• [11:00-14:00] – Gospel contrast: Magi’s journey vs. Herod’s indifference
• [15:00-18:30] – Proximity leads to intimacy or hostility: the necessity of a response
• [18:30-22:00] – Faith in relationships and the cost of discipleship
• [22:00-24:00] – What we offer God: our sins and our “yes”
• [24:00-27:00] – The necessity of change: “returning home another way”
• [27:00-end] – Invitation to make a concrete change to foster intimacy with Christ

Call to Action

• Reflect: What’s one thing about your environment, your home, or your habits that you can change today to grow closer to Jesus?
• Resolve: Don’t let Christ’s nearness end in indifference—allow His proximity to lead you into true intimacy, worship, and transformation.