Fr. Mike Schmitz Reacts to The Chosen

Summary

The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

Episode: Fr. Mike Schmitz Reacts to The Chosen

Date: October 2, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz (Ascension)
Theme: Faith, pop culture, and headline reflections—Fr. Mike gives real-time reactions and spiritual commentary on key scenes from the series The Chosen.

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Overview

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz watches and reacts to notable scenes from The Chosen, the popular crowd-funded series dramatizing the lives of Jesus and his disciples. Through his reactions, Fr. Mike explores theological themes, responds to the artistic choices of the showrunners, and invites listeners to reflect more deeply on the biblical texts. He connects the show’s portrayals to real-life struggles—such as shame, unanswered prayers, faith in suffering, and the challenge of trusting God—and frequently highlights how Ignatian prayer and imaginative engagement with scripture can enhance faith.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Mary Magdalene’s Return

[00:01 – 03:24]

• Scene Description: Jesus encounters a deeply troubled Mary Magdalene, who resists his approach.
• Fr. Mike’s Take: Sees this as a powerful depiction of how sin leads us to seek happiness apart from God; Jesus’s insistence that “it’s not for you” is the gentle correction we all need.
• Insight on Shame and Identity: Fr. Mike highlights shame and the pain in the presence of holiness, relating the experience to how many resist God’s call because of feeling unworthy.
• Quotes:
  • “Every sin is an attempt to be happy apart from God.” (Fr. Mike Schmitz, 01:08)
  • “Satan knows our name but calls us by our sin. Jesus knows our sin but he calls us by our name.” (Paraphrasing Fr. John Riccardo, 02:36)

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2. Jesus Walks on Water

[03:24 – 09:00]

• Scene Description: The disciples are caught in a storm; Peter asks Jesus to command him to walk on water.
• Fr. Mike’s Take:
  • Questions the plausibility of Peter’s bold request, then reflects (with nod to Jeff Cavins) on discipleship: “A disciple is not just there to learn from the Rabbi…but also to do what the Rabbi can do.” (05:03)
  • Appreciates the show’s added dialogue, which explores Peter’s frustration with Jesus caring for non-Jews, highlighting the messiness of real faith.
  • Emphasizes that faith must be tested to be genuine. “Faith that's not tested can't be trusted.” (08:00)
  • Encourages trusting God even when his ways seem unexpected.
• Memorable moment: Fr. Mike’s amusement at the realism of the depiction and the extra dramatic layers added by the show.

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3. Feeding of the 5,000

[09:00 – 13:02]

• Scene Description: The disciples scramble to solve the food crisis amidst the crowd.
• Fr. Mike’s Take:
  • Finds humor in the disciples’ banter and realism in their confusion: “People showed up…they were the crowds. Just came out because I hear the…preacher, the miracle guy is gonna be out there.”
  • Appreciates how the show gives individuality to the apostles, mentioning he knows some extras in the scene.
  • Enjoys the specificity: “Barley loaves. Specific.” (11:53)
  • Observes Jesus still presents as “the boss” and marvels at the depiction of ordinary solutions to extraordinary problems.
• Quotes:
  • “Imagine how hungry they are, and, like, completely insecure. Right? There’s no place to get any food.” (12:20)

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4. Jesus and Little James (Unhealed Apostle)

[13:02 – 16:59]

• Scene Description: Jesus commissions the apostles to heal, but Little James doubts because of his own disability.
• Fr. Mike’s Take:
  • Deeply moved by the show's speculative—but profound—theology: Jesus tells James his suffering can itself witness to God.
  • “The witness of someone who’s able to be faithful even when they’re not healed is...vastly more powerful than someone who can tell that story of ‘I’ve been healed by the Lord.’” (15:22)
  • Affirms that Jesus’s answer, though not from Scripture, is “so good. Golly.”
• Reflection: The power of trusting God’s will even when prayers for healing are unanswered.

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5. The Calling of Matthew

[16:59 – 18:53]

• Scene Description: Jesus calls Matthew, the tax collector, to follow him, facing others’ outrage.
• Fr. Mike’s Take:
  • Shares his own prayer life—longing to hear Jesus say, “Come, follow me.”
  • Highlights the universal invitation of Jesus: “This is Jesus, who knows your name, who calls you. ‘Come, follow me.’” (17:33)
  • Notes how we often accept God’s love for us but struggle with the idea He could call others we least expect.
• Quote:
  • “Why would God want them?…That’s kind of what we sometimes believe. Even if we don’t say it out loud, sometimes that sneaks into our hearts.” (18:29)

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6. Healing at the Pool of Bethesda

[18:53 – 24:24]

• Scene Description: Jesus heals a man crippled for 38 years, asking “Do you want to be healed?”
• Fr. Mike’s Take:
  • Praises Jonathan Roumie’s chill, approachable depiction of Jesus.
  • Links the scene to Ignatian prayer, encouraging viewers to enter into the story, using holy imagination.
  • Reflects on addiction, stuckness, and the “identity” of suffering:
    • “Sometimes we get so used to being stuck, so used to being sick…that’s who I am…And Jesus saying, ‘Do you want to be well?’ is that question breaks through.” (20:37)
  • Draws a parallel to striving for freedom (from addiction or sin) and needing Christ’s help: “My guess is because you tried without me. Jesus says, for a long time, I know, but here. Oh, God’s compassion, right?” (22:33)
  • Notes the healing brings not just relief, but a changed identity and a call to leave the old life behind: “You’re not coming back. There’s a new life.” (24:17)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the nature of sin:
  • “Every sin is an attempt to be happy apart from God.” (Fr. Mike, 01:08)
• On identity and God’s call:
  • “Satan knows our name but calls us by our sin. Jesus knows our sin but he calls us by our name.” (Paraphrased, 02:36)
• On faith’s trials:
  • “Faith that’s not tested can’t be trusted.” (08:00)
• On unanswered prayers:
  • “The witness of someone who’s able to be faithful even when they’re not healed is...vastly more powerful than someone who can tell that story of ‘I’ve been healed by the Lord.’” (15:22)
• On encountering Jesus:
  • “This is Jesus, who knows your name, who calls you. ‘Come, follow me.’” (17:33)
• On freedom from suffering:
  • “Sometimes we get so used to being stuck…that’s who I am…And Jesus saying, ‘Do you want to be well?’ is that question breaks through.” (20:37)
• On the show’s impact:
  • Comparing The Chosen to the impact of Lord of the Rings films: “From now on, Frodo looks like Elijah Wood...Same with scripture…from now on, Jesus’s interactions could look a lot like Jonathan Roumie’s nuanced take.” (24:24)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Mary Magdalene’s Return: 00:01 – 03:24
• Jesus Walks on Water: 03:24 – 09:00
• Feeding of the 5,000: 09:00 – 13:02
• Jesus and Little James: 13:02 – 16:59
• The Calling of Matthew: 16:59 – 18:53
• Healing at the Pool: 18:53 – 24:24
• Final Reflections on the Series: 24:24 – end

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Tone and Delivery

Fr. Mike approaches each scene with humor, warmth, and openness, alternating between theological insights and candid, relatable commentary. He invites listeners to use the imaginative, emotional, and personal richness of dramatizations like The Chosen to deepen scriptural prayer.

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Closing Thoughts

Fr. Mike recognizes both the strengths and necessary limitations of dramatizing the Gospel. He encourages embracing these imaginative interpretations as tools to go “past just the surface of the words,” engaging Ignatian prayer and making the life of Jesus more accessible and real. The episode is not only a “reaction video,” but an invitation to contemplate the familiar stories of faith in a new way—anchored always in the truth that God calls each of us by name.

Transcript

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Okay, are you gonna do this every time? Is it gonna be like one of those. Hi, my name is Father Mike Schmitz, and this is Ascension Presents. There's a Christmas tree behind me. It's not Christmas yet. It's set up in here because we're filming the Advent series that we did like last year. Last year was called Face to Face, and this year upcoming, the Advent series is called Waiting. Well, and so stay tuned on that one. We had the I react to confession in movies a little while ago. And so they're like, hey, let's do another one. Let's do the TV show the Chosen. It's not a TV show because people don't watch TV anymore. The series the Chosen, not chosen, your journey to Confirmation. The Chosen, but Jesus and the disciples. I've seen the show, but I don't know what scenes these are. This one's called Mary Magdalene's Return. Here we go. Hands her a drink. Oh, Jesus touches her hand.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

Man, that's not for you. Don't touch me.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

I'm pause. I'm so sorry. I need to like, just even that little in exchange. That's not for you. This is Jesus stepping in and saying, that's not gonna make you happy. This is not gonna give you the solution. This is not the answer to what you're looking for. That's what sin is, right? Sin is this grasping, thinking it'll make us happy again. Every sin is an attempt to be happy apart from God. And imagine that here's Jesus saying, it's not for you. And your response is like, okay, I'm sorry, you're right, Jesus. But yet Mary Magdalene's response is, don't touch me, get away from me. That's us, that's us so many times. But we know there's something else going on, something deeper, something even more nefarious.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

No, you have to go.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

I'm sorry. So sorry. Apparently when someone has some demonic influence that in the presence of holiness and the presence of holy objects, holy things, maybe most powerfully of the Eucharist, there is this. There is pain. And so this is Mary Magdalene who is experiencing that pain. She's in pain, though. Simics is being in pain. Leave me alone. She want you want to be alone. Isn't that the case? Like, just like, don't look at me, cuz that's that sense of shame. He says her name.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

Mary of Magdala. Who are you? How do you know my name? Thus says the Lord who created you. Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name. You are mine. Are mine.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Oh, my gosh, you guys. I hope they're not all pissed. Okay, where do you start? She's going by a different name. Jesus says the name of Mary, which is a gonna be a callback later on right after he rises from the dead. Sorry. Spoiler. And she's in the garden tomb, once again, weeping. She doesn't recognize him. What's he say to her? He says her name. Father John Ricardo said this in the called podcast a little bit ago. He said, satan knows our name, but he calls us by our sin. Jesus knows our sin, but he calls us by our name by proclaiming our name in just. There's. There's freedom. I called you by your name. Fear not. And that's just the thing, like, for every one of us. My gosh. Just not be afraid. Oh, gosh. Okay, here we go. Next one. Jesus walking on the water. Let's go to that.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

Simon, we're not getting anywhere. The winds are too strong. We should turn back. We can get there. Just keep rowing, Simon. The fourth watch of the night that we've been stuck in the same place for over.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

That would be crazy.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

John, keep br. What are you doing? Did anybody just see that?

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Like this? It's good.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

I don't see anything. What are we looking for?

I can't be.

We have to get out of here.

Everyone move.

Let's go. Go faster.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Let's go now. They're trying to get away from the. The ghosts quote, unquote.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

I said, everybody stop, Stop, stop, stop.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Okay, stop.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

That's.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Are you crazy? I always wonder how they depict this, right? Like, is Jesus on the very, very surface, you know, of the water. I like that this, you know, feet kind of go in. Makes sense.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

Jesus, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

At this point, when Peter says command that you come to me on the water, I'm like, that's ridiculous. No one would ever say that. If it is you command what is happening. I love how Jeff Cavins points this out, and he always says that this is a great example of what it is to be a disciple. That a disciple is not just there to learn from the Rabbi. Not just there to kind of know what the Rabbi knows, but also to do what the Rabbi can do. And so here is Peter, who's a disciple, and he's saying, okay, Rabbi, if you're the really. That really is. You command me to do what you're doing.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

Are you out of your mind?

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Seriously?

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

You Are bananas who you say you are? Bid me to step out of this boat.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Well, that's kind of it.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

You have the faith to walk on this water? Absolutely. You can do whatever you can.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

I don't know if I like this interaction. Like you have the faith to do this, but I do like this. Now you can do whatever you command. You command the water. Hold me. So it's faith in Jesus, which is good.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

Call you to me, you will step out in faith.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

I like this extra dialogue.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

Then why are you upset? Why are you chasing after Gentiles when your own people have problems right here? When your own person has problems. I've been right here in front of you believing in you. But you're breaking up fights in the decoupolist, then come to me.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Interesting. I've skipped this episode. So I've never seen this before. So I'm piecing it together and it turns out that Simon Peter is a little bit upset with Jesus for reaching out to non Jews. And so here is this statement of, do you trust me? And I think I like this. I don't mind. I don't mind. I don't mind this insertion of this because it gets a little couple more layers on the whole story where it's not just kind of the straightforward. Then this happened and then this happened and this happened. Like they would have been confused. You're asking, you know, asking non Jews. You're taking care of non Jews. Wait a second. We've been oppressed by the Romans for how long and you're taking care of them? Like that doesn't make any sense. Or here, me and my wife, here's Simon Peter, right? Me and my wife, we need help. But you haven't. So I get it. I get it. And then so Jesus is saying, but if you trust me, you trust me. Not just to walk on water, you're going to trust that I'm. What I'm doing is ultimately going to be fine. Does it make sense?

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

You?

[Father Mike Schmitz]

I like it.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

Weary and heavy laden. I will give you rest.

Simon.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

No. They tell him no. I don't know. Maybe it does highlight the fact that it's a big deal. That's amazing.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

Do you still have faith?

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Yeah, it hasn't been my problem. That's pretty funny.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

I gave up everything to follow you. But you're healing total strangers. Why do you think I allow triumphs? I don't know. They prove the genuineness of your faith. They strengthen you. This is strengthening you.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

That is true. Faith that's not tested can't Be trusted.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

Keep your eyes on me.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Well, there we go. There's a good, good image. Good imagery. I like it back up on the water. I like that too, because it says he carries it back to the boat. In Matthew 14, he carries him back to the boat. Here's something I really like. I do like the. The artists. Additions in the. In the sense. Why would Jesus invite Peter out onto the water? It's not for show. It's not for razzle dazzle kind of a situation. It would make sense that there are some other layers of maybe here's needing to purify or strengthen Peter's faith, or purify or strengthen Peter's trust. I know it's additions, but I kind of like it. I don't know. Say that we have the feeding of the 5,000 next. What are we going to say here?

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

And he went to the first and.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Said, I have two friends who are in this scene.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

Go and work in the vineyard today.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

And he answered, they were extras. I will not.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

But afterward he changed his mind and he went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, I will go, sir, but did not go. Which of the two sons did the will of the father? The first.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Well, that'd be great if people answered Amen. You know, the first people are like. When the. You know the answer people just kind of nod and they like maybe hold up a finger. 1. The first step at the bottom of my bag.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

Forgot it was in there. It's a little stale, but it'll do. You've been out here for days and. And you just. You just discovered it? I followed some men who told me we were coming to watch a fight. A fight? Everyone was just in such a hurry.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

That's really funny. That's awesome.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

Does anyone have any food? Food? Your name is Andrew, Yes? Yes.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Yeah, people showed up just. They were the crowds. They just came out because I hear that the. The preacher, the miracle guy is gonna be out there. So here I am. I gave up for a fight.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

I wanted to say thank you again for everything. I'm not the one who healed your father, but I can certainly pass that along. You've been asking about food. Yes. I want to share what I have. Some days can feed one family of thousands. I just wanted to do what I could.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

There you go.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

I must speak with my students a moment.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Bye.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

Bye.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

I wonder. I wonder if they would do that. Right? I wonder if they interrupt the sermon on the mount or any sermon.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

So give them something to eat without the food.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

I guess they have to conflate things, you know, not conflate, but, like, you know, send them home, get things moving. Well, at this point, they're so hungry.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

And tired, if we send them home, they'll faint along the way. You knew they were hungry? Yes, Judas. I can see them while I'm talking. Okay.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

See, he's funny guy.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

Well, this is a tough one. Where can we buy some bread for all these people?

[Father Mike Schmitz]

It's a British guy.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

We'd have to find a way to bring it back here, and it would still only feed a fraction of the masses.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

I've never seen this person. Can you bring me anything? I like how everyone came up with their own solutions from someone, even a small amount. Got five loaves and two fish here.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

Five loaves, bread and two fish.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

But what good is this for so many?

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

What is this for so many?

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Oh, I knew the line. What the heck, man?

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

Barley loaves.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Barley loaves. Specific.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

Two fish and five barley loaves. Thank you for clarifying. This is humiliating. Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from. Right. Did they find some bread? Feed them. Organize the people into groups of fifty and a hundred, gather up twelve baskets.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Imagine how hungry they are. And, like, completely insecure. Right? There's no place to get any food.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

Was that unclear?

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Like, oh, my gosh, hey, he's still the boss. Was that unclear?

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

Familiar?

[Father Mike Schmitz]

You're still the boss. You're the rabbi. You're Messiah.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

All right, Marcus, you can have your basket back.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Nice, neat. I don't know. Next. Sometimes the little vocalizing in the background annoys me, but then again, it's fine. This is a taste thing. Look at Jesus and little James.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

You are sending us out of the ability to heal the sick and lame. Yes. That. That is what you said. Yes. So you're telling me that I have the ability to heal? Forgive me. I just find that difficult to imagine with my condition. Which you haven't healed. Do you want to be healed? Yes, of course, if that's possible. I think you've seen enough to know it's possible. Why haven't you? I need you to listen to me very carefully because what I'm going to say defines your whole life to this point.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Okay. This is really good. This whole scene. This whole scene actually is very, very good. It's a slow burn. It's not quick reactions. Jesus, you're telling me I'm sending out to heal people, heal the lame. But look at me. But here's Jesus who says, you know, it's possible.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

Do you understand? In the Father's will I could heal you right now and you'd have a good story to tell. Yes, yes, that you do miracles. And that's a good story. But there are already dozens who can tell that story. And there will be hundreds more, even thousands. But think of the story that you have, especially in this journey to come, if I don't heal you. To know how to proclaim that you still praise God in spite of this. To know how to focus on all that matters so much more than the body, to show people that you can be patient with your suffering here on earth because you know you'll spend eternity with no suffering. Not everyone can understand that. How many people do you think the Father and I trust this with?

[Father Mike Schmitz]

That's so good. Golly. I mean, again, this is a conversation that we don't have recorded in the Bible. You kind of give all the apostles a thing, right? You have James who has this. He's lame. You have Matthew who has some, what seems like some kind of version of autism or somewhere on the spectrum. Uh, Peter has his, his biceps. Thomas with the Remy roomy woman. He loves, she loves him back. They give him all a little something, this, that dimension and it kind of tease out. Here's what it would look like or could, could look like. What? What if you were called to heal but you weren't here self healed. And I love Jesus's answer here in this chosen. It's not given in the scriptures, but here in the chosen where it's that sense of do you trust me? You're giving witness by your faithfulness. You're giving witness by the depth to which you're willing to trust me. Can any of us come to that place and say, I still trust God. I see miracles. I see him healing the other people. Actually here's James even being sent out to give healing in Jesus name. But I'm not healed. The witness of someone who's able to be faithful even when they're not healed is, I would say, vastly more powerful than someone who can tell that story of I've been healed by the Lord. And there are many people, it's just like Jesus says here, many people who can tell that story. I've been healed by the Lord. Incredible testimony to God's power and providence and goodness. But I've met people, maybe you've seen them too, who remain unhealed, but they trust God in their brokenness. And it's amazing. It's incredible. That's the invitation. Whether he heals or not, will I trust him? This is the call. Matthew.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

Matthew Next.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

I think it's interesting. Jesus looks at everyone, looks away. Jesus looks right at him. Turns around. Okay, let's go. Let's go.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

Matthew.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

He knows his name once again.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

Matthew, son of Alphaeus. Yes. Follow me. Me? Yes, you. You want me to join you? Keep moving, street preacher. Do you have any idea what this guy has done?

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Yeah.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

Do you even know him? Yes.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

I used to pray with the calling of Matthew all of the time. That sense of, okay, Jesus, just, you know, I just want you to say, come, follow me. I just want you to say, come, follow me. And just to be able to be invited by the Lord who's like, no, no, I know who you are, and I want you to come after me when I hear this or even watch this. What we can extend this to is, this is Jesus, who knows your name, who calls you. Come, follow me.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

Listen, I said to. What are you doing? Where do you think you're going? Guys, let me go.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

This is dangerous. Dangerous to stand up to them.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

Quintus protects you. No Jew lives as good as you. You're gonna throw it all away? Yes.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Well, I don't get it.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

You didn't get it when I chose you either. But this is different. I'm not a tax collector. Get used to different.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Why would God want them? I'm glad he wants me. Like, I'm glad He loves me. I'm glad he's willing to forgive me. But he could never possibly call or love or choose someone else. And that's kind of what we sometimes believe. Even if we don't say it out loud, sometimes that sneaks into our hearts. So that's the calling of Matthew. This one is the healing of the man at the pool a Bethesda. My guess is, here he is. John, chapter 5. Jesus heals at the pool. Oh, gosh.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

Me? Yes. Shalom. I have a question for you.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Okay. I love how Jesus is so chill. You think that, like, you want to play this role with, like, this gravitas, right? This heaviness, this weight, because it's. You're playing the incarnate second person of the Trinity. But I love how Jonathan Rumi plays Jesus. It's kind of like, hi.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

Do you want to be healed?

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Gosh. What a question.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

Who are you? We'll get to that later.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

See that. That kind of thing. We'll get that.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

Question remains. Ah. Will you take me to the water? Look, I'm having a really bad day.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Oh, yeah. Because in this. Oh, you've had a bad day for a long time, so you probably know that's not right from the Bible. One of those questions is from the Bible, want to be well. But there's this thing called Ignatian prayer and indignation prayer Based off of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. You enter into the scripture, you invite the Holy Spirit to kind of baptize your imagination. And so you take the. The. The content of scripture and tradition, teaching of the church, but you enter into that scene and kind of, like, tease out some things. You can interact with the. The people who are in that scene. You can kind of like, that's what. That's what Dallas, Dallas Willard. Dallas Willard does. It's all Lexio. It's all Ignatian prayer. So cool, sir.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

I have no one to help me into the water when it's there from scripture. And when I do get close, the others step down in front of me. And so look at me, okay?

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Gosh, I'm so sorry. I keep doing this. Number one, here's the guy, and he's heartbroken, right? Because he wants to do this. He's been sick for a long time. If you've been sick for a long time, you know that. That feeling, that's also why Jesus, I think he's asked that question, do you want to be well? Because sometimes, and this might not be you, but sometimes we get so used to being stuck, we get so used to being sick. We get so used to, like, our plight, our situation in life. That's who I am. That's my identity now. And Jesus saying, do you want to be well? Is that question breaks through. Are you willing to let things change? Are you willing to. To have a new day? Are you willing to let him do something? For some reason, my mind just turned to someone who is addicted to alcohol, for example. Freedom is possible. Sobriety is possible. Whatever the addiction is, it's possible. I mean, think about this. There are thousands of people, if not millions of people, who have been addicted to anything, and they've experienced sobriety when they got to that place of, like, I am powerless in the face of my addiction. I need to rely on God himself. But why not you, right? That sense of, like, why not you? Do you want to be well? Isn't it interesting? He could be in on himself and saying, like, well, I want to get to the water, but they all get there before me. He's the one who's the victim, right? He's aggrieved by the fact that other people also Want freedom. They also want healing. As opposed to saying, what can I do? He's pointing out, here's what everyone else around me has been doing. So that's why Jesus says what he says, no, no, look at me. Our temptation, twofold. Look at ourselves and feel sorry for ourselves. Or look at someone else and blame them. Golly. And here's Jesus. Look at me.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

Look at me twice. That's not what I asked. I'm not asking you about who's helping.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

You or not helping you, who's not.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

Helping or who's getting in your way. I'm asking about you. I tried.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Oh, man. Right? Go back to the sobriety thing. I tried getting free. I tried not drinking. I tried not doing. Looking at porn, whatever. The thing is, I've tried this before and it's not working. Why? My guess is because you tried without me. Jesus says, for a long time, I know, but here. Oh, God's compassion, right?

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

You don't want false hope again. I understand. But this pool, it means nothing.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Yeah, and you know it.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

You don't need this pool.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

He wants freedom, wants healing.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

You only need me.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

That's it.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

So do you want to be healed? So let's go. Pick up your mat and walk.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

See, here's John who's taking out his pen and quill. We would take out our phones, like, watch this. Check this out. Imagine.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

That's amazing.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

And the joy. The joy encountering Jesus being healed. So he knows the sadness and enters into the sadness. Not afraid of the sadness, but also here, as he's healed and joyful. Here's Jesus depicted as entering into the joy. And there's something about that that's just so good. Oh, man.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

Don't forget your bed.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Good job, Peter. I picked up his mat.

[Unidentified Male Speaker]

Why does this matter? Because you're not coming back here. Oh, that life is over.

[Father Mike Schmitz]

Here's Peter reminding him, like, no, you're not coming back here. You're not coming back. There's a new life. So that was some reactions to the Chosen. Hope it was interesting for you. It was interesting for me. Took a really long time because there's some long scenes. Here's my last thought. I have always thought of this, the Chosen, as kind of like watching the trilogy, the Lord of the Rings. Because from now on, Frodo looks like Elijah Wood. And from now on, Aragorn looks like Viggo Mortensen. Legolas is that one. Paris. Paris, Whatever his name is. And same thing with scripture. From now on. I think for a lot of people, Jesus's interactions could look a lot like Jonathan Roumie's nuanced take on Jesus interactions. Or Dallas Willard's writing down Dallas Willard? No, what's his name? Dallas something. The author's interpretation, which again, you gain some stuff and you lose some stuff. But ultimately, if that helps us to enter more deeply into Ignatian prayer, it helps people more into more deeply into going past just the surface of the words. I think that's overall a win. My reactions from all here to Presents Ascension presents My Name is Father Mike. God bless.