Podcast Summary: Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz

Episode: 123148: 3/8/26 Autobiography: The Middle
Date: March 7, 2026
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz (Ascension)

Overview of the Episode

This episode continues Fr. Mike Schmitz’s Lenten homily series, "Autobiography," focusing on "the middle" of our personal stories—the times of pain, disappointment, drudgery, or regret between hope-filled beginnings and the endings we cannot yet see. Drawing from Scripture, personal stories, and spiritual insights, Fr. Mike compassionately addresses the experience of feeling stuck, lost, or ashamed in the midst of our journeys, and offers hope founded in acceptance and redemption through Christ.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Forgotten Importance of the Middle

• Start of the theme (11:40): Fr. Mike notes, “Every life is a story. Every person is an author. The only question is: who will we be at the end of the story?”
• We often focus on the beginning and the end of our stories, forgetting that the middle—often full of struggle, pain, or monotony—is an essential part of our journey and identity.

2. Living Without Knowing the End

• Scripture Context (13:00–18:30): Fr. Mike references Exodus 17 and John 4.
  • The Israelites, wandering in the desert after miraculous liberation, were unable to see the final outcome and doubted God’s presence.
  • The Samaritan woman at the well exemplifies someone living in painful uncertainty, carrying shame from her past and present relationships, unable to imagine a hopeful future.

3. Shame, Regret, and the Pain of the Middle

• People often look at their present situation and say, "I hate that this is part of my story," whether because of grief, regret, past mistakes, or a sense of personal inadequacy.
• Memorable Illustration (18:35–27:00):
  • Fr. Mike shares Michael Reagan’s story: adopted son of Ronald Reagan, living with deep wounds from childhood trauma, regretful decisions, and feeling "unwanted."
  • Consideration of the Samaritan woman’s repeated heartbreaks, the prodigal son’s sense of failure, and the older brother’s resentment in the parable of Luke 15—all examples of hating the middle of one's story.
• Notable quote:
  • "How often is that us, honestly—how often do we look at our lives and think, ‘either this is the end or maybe this is the middle, but I hate that this is part of my story.’" (27:40)

4. Acceptance as the Essential Virtue

• Crucial Insight from Romano Guardini (36:15):
  • Fr. Mike introduces Fr. Romano Guardini’s idea from "The Virtues that Lead You to God":
    • “Out of all the virtues, there’s one virtue that if you don’t have it, there’s absolutely no way you can grow in holiness... and that’s acceptance. Acceptance of reality. Acceptance that this is the middle, and this is part of my story.”
• Only by accepting our reality—our wounds, regrets, and disappointments—can we begin to move toward healing and transformation.

5. Acceptance Illustrated: The Story of 'Hatchet'

• (40:10) Fr. Mike recalls Gary Paulsen’s novel "Hatchet":
  • The protagonist, stranded alone and wounded, spends much time grieving his situation. Only when Brian accepts his new reality can he begin to act and move forward.
  • Quote (from family context):
    • "[Brian] cried and cried... but when he was done crying... all that crying did nothing to help him." (41:20)
    • Emphasizes that acting from acceptance, not denial or wishing the story away, brings change.

6. Redemption: What God Does with Our Acceptance

• Acceptance is only the first step—redemption is next.
  • "This is my heart, and I give it to Jesus, and he can do something with it." (44:50)
• Scripture Reference (45:05):
  • 2 Corinthians 12: God says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.”
  • St. Paul boasts of his weakness so “the power of Christ may dwell in me... for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
• God "does not waste our wounds; all of this can be used." (46:10)

7. How God Uses the Middle

• The Samaritan woman’s story, the prodigal son’s journey, and Michael Reagan’s experience all illustrate how God can redeem and use even the most painful or shame-filled parts of a person’s life.
• Quote from Michael Reagan’s autobiography, "Twice Adopted" (49:30):
  • “I’ve written this book because I want God to use my past and the painful things I’ve gone through to bring help and healing to other people. Because that’s what he does.”

8. Main Message: Is God in the Middle? Yes.

• The answer to the episode’s central question—Is God in our midst?—is a resounding yes.
  • “God can use every part of your story. Even the mess. Even when you can’t see the end. Even the middle.” (51:30)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On rejection of one’s circumstances:

  "I look at myself and think: yeah, everything happens for a reason. Sometimes I’m stupid. I make bad decisions, and I regret it." (33:30)

• On the necessity of acceptance:

  “Unless I’m willing to accept the fact that, yes, this grief is part of my life... I will never be able to get to the end.” (38:30)

• On redemption in Christ:

  “All of this, all of your story can be used, that God can use every part of your story, even the mess. God can use every part of your story even when you can’t see the end. And God can use every part of your story, even the middle.” (51:30)

• On God’s presence:

  “Is God in the middle of your story or not? The answer is yes. And God can use it all.” (52:00)

Important Timestamps

• 11:40 – Introduction of the "Autobiography" theme and focus on the middle.
• 13:00–18:30 – Commentary on Exodus 17 and John 4; illustration of living without knowing the end.
• 18:35–27:00 – Michael Reagan’s story; discussion of the experience of shame and regret.
• 27:40 – Memorable reflection on hating the middle of one’s story.
• 36:15 – Romano Guardini’s insight on acceptance as a virtue.
• 40:10–42:00 – "Hatchet" illustration and lesson on acceptance.
• 44:50 – Transition from acceptance to redemption through Christ.
• 45:05 – St. Paul’s teaching on weakness and grace.
• 49:30 – Michael Reagan’s statement on God using painful experiences.
• 51:30–52:00 – Affirmation of God’s presence and purpose in the middle.

Episode Flow & Tone

Fr. Mike’s approach is empathetic, direct, and inspiring. He balances vulnerability—with stories of real pain, regret, and self-doubt—with strong hope rooted in the Gospel. The tone is honest, sometimes gently humorous, at times poignant, always aiming to lift listeners’ eyes to God’s mercy and transformative power.

Summary for Listeners

If you’ve ever felt lost in the pain, monotony, or disappointment of your life’s "middle"—wondering if it matters or whether God is with you—Fr. Mike’s message in this episode offers deep hope. Drawing on Scripture, personal stories, and spiritual classics, he invites us first to accept our reality, however broken, and then to trust that God does not waste our wounds. The middle is not the end. God is present—right there, redeeming and using every part of your story, even the parts you wish were different. The answer to, “Is God in the middle?” is always yes.