Jesus, Mary and Joseph please unite every family to be faithful and obedient to the will of our Heavenly Father for the good and salvation of our souls. Amen. Thank you Fr Mike and to everyone for your prayers. A blessed night/day to all of us.
Day 289 Family ties are important but not absolute. It is a good but we shouldn't make it an ultimate good. Family cannot come over God because then it becomes an idol *We must choose right even if our family chooses something wrong*
Family ties are important but not absolute, because the first vocation of a Christian is to follow Jesus and love Him. Parents must support with joy their children's choice to follow Jesus in whatever state of life, even in the consecrated life or the priestly ministry. Political authority should always be exercised as a service, respecting fundamental human rights. All those who exercise authority should seek the interests of the community before their own interest and allow their decisions to be inspired by the truth about God, about man and about the world.
@@nf8367The doctrine of the Catholic Church was explained well when the Sacrament of Matrimony was covered. In response to your question, the Christian parent must guide their children in their choices but cannot influence or coerce them in their final decision. On the question of unholy relationships even Pope Francis said in his inaugural message - Who am I to judge? As parents we can only pray for children in unholy relationships and hope they will realise the effect of their choices.The wrong choice gets carried forward for generations. Children leave the Catholic Church without understanding the laws they are called to obey. Fr. Mike will cover more on sexual morality when he covers 6th and 9th commandment
My husband and I are in the middle of this sadness - a daughter who is living with another man out of wedlock and will marry him outside of the Church- it is beyond describing - all I can say is that Day 287 of BIY and CIY made me cry many tears and while our daughter knows how we feel, she will not honor her Catholic faith - we keep praying.
The hardest thing I have done was to tell my son who is in an irregular relationship that marriiage is between a man and a woman ordered toward children. He didn't speak to me for a year. But I knew that I needed to choose God and his commands over my son.
I so needed to hear this. While on vacation with family, I was chastised for going to a Sunday morning Mass, because it was not part of their schedule, even though they were all raised Catholics. It was a horrible day because at Mass I was stressing over getting back in time so as not to upset the timetable. My daughter-in-law’s words still echo in my mind, “I don’t believe in a God that will condemn you for spending time with their family.” It was not the time nor place for a discussion, so I just responded with silence. Lord have mercy on us all.
@@KathleenBanfieldI’m so sorry that happened to you! I bet you wish you had this day in your back pocket to better respond to your DIL but you did the right thing!🙏
@dolores Your daughter-in-law sounds like an arrogant horror. Even if they weren't Catholic, they should have recognized that it was important to you, and facilitated you in every way.
@@jamesmcgrath3841 She is actually very lovely and a great mother and wife. I have chosen to forgive her, realizing that God’s not finished with any of us yet. I pray continually for the Holy Spirit to enlighten their hearts and minds.
My parents were always supportive of my Call to the priesthood. But now I can't imagine my life without my kids. I just thought of this now, if one of my two boys felt that Calling too I'd have remember to encourage but not push.
It's tough. If my son wants to be a priest then I must respect that. I only have one son and so does my brother but this would mean that my family line stops being Catholic.
My Dad went to the seminary for one year, in the Navy, played baseball, got married to my Mom and now I am one of eight children. We all have different faith journeys. My uncle was a priest, his only sibling - he passed away in his 30's from a brain aneurysm in church. Such is the will of God to discover what that will is?
@@Overlord277that must be really hard I don't know if he decided to do it or not he will find out when he goes through the process if this is what he's going to do. You might lose a family bloodline but maybe if his work is with children or a good church your family may grow in ways that you never thought God bless
All of you people watching this please pray for a friend of mine her words exactly “I don't know if non-believer is the right word, I'm not affiliated with any particular religion, I'm probably agnostic right now, I do find value in the psychospiritual, maybe to say I'm questioning is more accurate.”
I have a friend who left the church because her daughter is homosexual and the church does not recognise her union. It was so disappointing and sad. This episode must be shared widely. Thanks to you Fr Mike for the sensitive yet challenging way in how you presented this episode. We must follow our Lord Jesus not the world. God bless this community.
@attracta Then your friend had a very shallow belief. How on earth could the Church "recognize" such a union? How on earth could your friend even expect that the Church could do so?
I'm very sad for your friend. Unfortunately many Catholics do follow the World and go to Sunday Mass. I think they do not know or perhaps haven't been taught or shown the beauty of the Faith and its fullness. Also many do not know the power of prayer. As Fr Mike says we are all broken: and I certainly am but I'll keep trying. I want to be a Saint. ❤🙏🙏🙏
Thank you for this heartfelt discussion. This is probably many people's hardest choice to make: between their loved ones and the Lord. Yet Jesus has made the priority clear that we must choose God first. God bless you, dear Father Mike. I'm praying for you every day. Thank you for BIAY and CIAY that have blessed so many.
To have had this understanding 37 years ago would have relieved so much pain, guilt, and self doubt…..too many people claim God comes first but do not live it….and when one is striving to live it, there is judgment, criticism, and lack of support from those very same people. Persevering in following Jesus brings sincere love, mercy, courage, peace, and joy!
To follow God first can be hard in these upside down times. Parents who have children who have turned to the gay life style, do they love and accept and not judge or do they follow God's way and confront them, even take a priest to talk to them and then as told in the bible kick the dust off your feet and turn away from them. You see the dilemma so many are in now days.
God's message is always challenging, convicting and often consoling. Family ties are important, but not absolute as God is the first priority and the source of good itself. The first vocation of a christian is to follow Jesus who has the first claim on our life, both in big and small ways. Always choose the Lord!! Those in authority must serve and not command or do something contrary to the dignity of persons/natural law.
And yes I have used family as an excuse to sin. Always convicted when this happens. I pray for grace and fortitude for all of us to avoid these occasions of sin.
Like the last episode about parents, this episode also reminds us of putting God and Jesus before everything else because when we put God before everything else, our life becomes the way it should be for us. If family makes us go against God, we must remember that it will benefit in the short term, but we will regret it in the long term, and the end result will not be pleasant. The example of girls' night out timings clashing with the Sunday Mass is how I would describe God wanting us to be safe and not do risky things. It is often a sign of God that we must stay away from certain behaviors and people. The scriptures tell us that following after vain people leads to nothing (proverbs). After all, vanity of vanity, everything is vanity (Ecclesiastes). Thank you for sharing this, Fr. Mike and Team Ascension. I'm praying for you and for the fellow listeners! God bless
I now have a better understanding of what Jesus meant of division in a family. I pray for the sinner within, not the sin. Somehow God will reach them with me, through me…I remain trusting in the Lord.
October 16, 2023 Please pray with me. According to tradition, St. Gertrude the Great was told by Our Lord that each time she piously recited the following prayer, it would release 1,000 souls (or a vast number) from their suffering in purgatory: Eternal Father, I offer You the most precious blood of thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal Church, for those in my own home, and in my family. Amen. In her account of another vision, St. Faustina describes Purgatory as a "great crowd of suffering souls" undergoing purification. Further, she says that the souls are "praying fervently, but to no avail, for themselves; only we can come to their aid" (Diary, 20)
“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens [outsiders without rights of citizenship], but you are fellow citizens with the saints (God’s people), and are [members] of God’s household,” Ephesians 2:19 AMP
Thank you Father Mike. I will be facing a hard time getting to church on a Sunday when visiting a sister out of town. I will be going with another sister. Neither, one of them attends church. One time I was able to borrow my sisters car to attend a church nearby. However, where she lives now I am not sure I can make it to church, so easy. I will try my best to go. I want to go. Praying for yoy, Father Mike and all of us.
13:15 Servant leadership. The authority to serve. Jesus is the model when it comes to leadership and authority. 15:13 Every single human being will always exist forever, all the way into eternity. Every human being will exist forever in glory with the Lord or in horror, separated from the Lord. Because of that, one individual human being, in so many ways, is of greater value, greater worth, than any one nation or any one single society. All of us part of society, part of a nation, part of a community at some level, therefore we do ask questions about the common good. However, none of the commands of the common good can go against the dignity of any human person. Thank you so much for praying for me, Father Mike Schmitz. It means so much. I am praying for you. I prayed for you all at Mass yesterday and in my Rosary. Hope you all have a light-filled peaceful good week. God bless you and yours.
October 16, 2023 Let me ask you, have you ever considered listening to Saint Faustina’s Diary in a year and/or EWTN Mother Angelica’s Classics to add to your Catholic learning? Oh my goodness so much life guidance in conjunction with Father Mike’s Bible and Catechism in a Year!
Holy Mass is not just an obligation. Mass is an AWESOME opportunity to grow in relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, where He reveals who He is and draws us in deeper relationship and community COMMUNION with Him and otherS!!! ! AMEN!
I think the hardest part of cancer treatment is at the end when everyone assumes you are cured and you no longer need their help. You are in the weakest most devastated state, plus no longer have the mission you had when you began this journey: to kill the cancer. The cancer is toast, but so are you, and now, like a soldier at the end of the war, you need help putting yourself back together, and everyone has gone home because they assume that the war is over.-Anonymous Gracious Lord, we entrust the sick and suffering to your care. May they encounter your healing grace, and may their faith be a source of hope and comfort. ❤❤❤
I'm so sorry about this. Thank you for sharing because it gives all who read it something to consider if we have friends and loved ones in your situation. 🙏🤲🙏💕
I was hoping you were going to comment on paragraph 2233 the second paragraph, “Parents should welcome and respect with joy and thanksgiving the Lord’s call to one of their children to follow him in virginity for the sake of the Kingdom in the consecrated life or in priestly ministry.”
I'm so guilty of missing Mass while on vacation. These places are so rural that there is no internet or it is too weak to google weekend mass times. I do map out ahead of time Masses but when there is a function event I volunteer to work to earn credits to gain a discount on the event. So now I'm not only missing Mass but I'm working on the Lord's day. Now I believe in God's mercy towards my good intention to be at Mass and I confess these sins before ever partaking in the Eucharist again so I'm not overwhelmed. Jesus while in a rural part of Galilee decided to attend a small synagogue for the Sabbath. He got himself and the disciples kicked out for healing a man's withered hand. He said if your neighbor had an ass which fell in a ditch on the Sabbath who would not help his neighbor? Departing down the pathway his disciples out of hunger ate the wheat tassels and the elders of that synagogue saw them and refuted with Jesus why his disciples did what was un lawful on the Sabbath. Jesus answered using the example of King David eating the bread of the presence in the temple because of hunger. Now I'm not saying to deliberately miss Mass but know that if you do Jesus is merciful so confess your sin. The Sabbath is made for man not the other way around and it's man who has established missing Mass as a mortal sin. I give you these examples that it is not always the case. Missing Mass is not done for the most part of hating Jesus and missing Mass should not be viewed as missing the collection plate using the Eucharist as an excuse.
As Fr. Mike said in a previous podcast, if you know you will be missing mass because you are in a place where you can't attend, for example on a cruise ship or in a rural part of a place that has no church nearby, you can ask your pastor for a dispensation and he will surely give it to you. So there is no sin and nothing to be confessed.
If you’re concerned about missing Mass while you’re on a cruise ship, then sail with Holland America Lines. They have a Catholic priest onboard with daily Mass. Thanks be to God!
This hit on one of my greatest concerns with my relationship with God. I have a tendency to worry (to the point it is a sin) about the health and well being of the ones I love. Many many times I have been asked “don’t I have faith” . There are moments I fell strong in my faith and don’t fear death for myself. However, If I am being honest and I was given an ultimatum (faith in Christ) or let my loved one die. I wouldn’t let them die. I know this situation is a stretch but it has crossed my mind. I ask the question do I really have faith?
How do we reconcile situations with family who are not in communion with Christ or God? How does that affect how we respond and/or act with them. In other words, in what ways would a Christian/Catholic Mom and Dad exercise what you, Fr. Mike, are expressing in regards to par. 2232 and 2233 when dealing with our adult who are not Christians?
Prayer is key. One might ask if we truly trust God to bring them back? Also, a parent has the authority to express their disagreement if a child places them into a situation that will cause the parent to deny God’s commands. That is loving your child even if that means speaking the truth in charitable ways. There are ways to make the other person understand the gravity of the position they are placing you. I have had to tell someone close to me that I cannot support their decision to be in a “near ocasión of sin” and it did not tear our relationship apart because I continued to love them.
@catherine That's up to the child. If the parents understand that the marriage is valid, then they may attend that, even if it is only a legal ceremony. I hope this is right, because I had a sister get married in a civil ceremony, and I consider that was valid as she said at the time that she was no Catholic belief or such. I attended this wedding. On the other had, I had a friend who married outside of the Church. He claimed to believe in Catholicism, so that to my mind made his marriage to some degree irregular. I didn't attend that one. Hope I was right in each case. Problem with not attending is it can be very damaging to relationships, so this is not a black and white situation.
@@jamesmcgrath3841 But that is exactly why Jesus said His teachings would divide families. We're supposed to choose Jesus over the hurt feelings of family members.
@@diamondlou1 Indeed. But we need to be very careful about inflicting those hurt feelings in anyone. Have to be sure that your motives are absolutely pure. If my sister claimed to be Catholic, and wanted a "non-Church" wedding, I wouldn't have gone, for example. Case by case. And be very careful in making judgments. For some people inflicting "hurt feelings" gives them a sort of kick. And if done from the point of view of self-righteousness? Then it is far more harmful than good.
@@jamesmcgrath3841 I'm referring to what God (and therefore the Church) teaches. In Fr Mike's example, as I remember it, all the family members were supposedly practicing Catholics, yet only one understood the duty and obligation to interrupt a vacation to go to Mass. This caused hard feelings in the group. So be it; the person who went to Mass was completely in the right, no matter how 'hurt' the others were. God comes first.
@@diamondlou1 As I say, diamondlou. "Case by case"..... One person wanted to go to Mass, then the others were unreasonable in complaining about it. But if she had insisted that they all go? They would have had reason to complain....
So what do parents of a son or daughter who enter into a homosexual relationship (even marry) say and how they essentially exist with each other and still abide by God’s law. Do the parents not welcome the child and significant other into their home?
@roxansilva Good question. I had an American cousin whose son divorced, and had a live-in girlfriend. She would never visit their home, for reasons which they fully understood. But they were always welcomed in hers. They were always both fully welcomed to all family events, but had to observe her rule. Only "marrieds" slept together. Again, they had to respect that. And they did.
Same situation with adult children living with their girlfriends or boyfriends ? What do we as parents do? I am sure I am not the only practicing catholic who is encountering these issues in their family and don’t know what to do?
I need some light here Father, what if my daughter is dating seriously an older man who was married has two children but divorced… I don’t agree with it , told her openly… do I meet this guy and allow him into the family because it is her choice or do I not. I hope you can give me counsel on this. Thank you Nadia
Yes and we can “ judge” the sin but we cannot judge the sinner. How can we hope for them to come back if we turn our backs on them and not show unconditional love? Prayers for all🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
It’s not easy but there will be hurt most likely. Love means having to say and do hard things that are unpopular sometimes. It’s just as hard when they do not redirect your values and lead you to err on the side they are asking you to cross.
@@beegeefan4ever the reason we've gotten where we are in society is way too much going along to get along. Our Judgment Days will be one on one. It can be extremely tough and painful to stand by what we know to be moral and right but I'm not going to Hell just to keep a relationship here on earth. I'm afraid there's going to be a Lot of people answering on Judgment Day for making their families idols. Like I shared. Doing just that for too many years has greatly contributed to the mess we're in. This is my belief.
We must also realize that who "is in a wrong relationship" (and I was one of them too) or something else serious turned their back on God and His family in the first place, like the prodigal son. It's not you turning your back. But we must imitate the father, not the older son.
We must do so lovingly. I too have someone close to me who is choosing a “near ocasión of sin” situation in their life. I let them know in a loving way that my spouse and I cannot support this. We still love each other and they respect our values but are not giving God full authority in their life. It’s very hard. It requires charity yet strength. But prayer to God and trust in God’s intervention is key! It might not be right away and may take years for their eyes to open but trust and surrender.
Please clarify-are you saying if we have family members in irregular relationships, we should separate ourselves and not love them? Are you saying if we love and accept them it would be idolizing them?
Question❓️Fathers Mike 🤔how tall are you 🤔I'm guessing 7 feet tall 😮😎👍. You can be a wwf wrestler 😎👍. I can see it now💭🤼♂️can you smell what Jesus is cooking through father Mike 🦾😉
Gracious Lord, we entrust the sick and suffering to your care. May they encounter your healing grace, and may their faith be a source of hope and comfort.❤❤
@@KB_2161 Amen. That was needed. I was given the opportunity to quietly learn the window screens; and the recipes of Tim Coffee Shop; and I declined; like almost quitting. It's high power; like a zoo. I had just learned French; and I have to be; running the same pace. I was on the cashier; first time in my life; and I was too country too. The customers wanted to talk to me; and I would talk. Politely cut them short; and take the next customer. I worked four days last week. I learned everything that takes 3 months; and I learned it in 3 days. I was surprised at myself; learned all the machines and coffee recipes; but not a pro. It wall crammed up in my head. I learned all the window of the cashier too. I did it. Then, today, Monday: I was cleaning after their messes; lots of syrup everywhere; on the wall even. They never have time to clean; and I am there for that. It is a zoo. The woman boss was out of control today; screaming to the top of her voice; and they yelling back. I can escape and do other chores; and I asked a new worker about the outbursts. She said; she's worked in many restaurants and she has never, never, never seen such behaviors. I ESCAPED THAT; AND STILL HAVE A JOB. It's not easy for me; in these matters; so, that is -why I am happy; that I have a job; walking distance. JUST PERFECT FOR ME. So that is it. Thank you for your prayers. Now I am dealing with buracracy; and they MUST HELP ME; BECAUSE; THEN I WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE CYLCLE OF PAYING AGAIN. This is a trial right now.
I found this scripture for Fr Mike in the things he said: about separation. I found the scripture. 2 Corinthians 6: 14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial?[b] Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, Psalms.
I got a call from the government agent; today was the last day for swearing in signatures! I downloaded it Five days ago; and still they didn't get it. My NERVES CANT TAKE IT.
@@MorreHope Many people who would normally be calm and speak politely are letting the spirit of unrest that is in the world right now enter into their personal space. We have to pray for all that is going on, but not let it take control of our life. I am glad things are gong good for you. 🥰🙏🙏🙏❤
Day 289, amen 🙏
15-April-2024, haPpy Monday
Blessings to you Father MiKe
CIY day 289,10/15/24. Thank you Fathert Mike. God bless us all.
When you put the Lord first in your life, everything else falls into place. Thank you Fr Mike. Praying for you and everyone here. God bless🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
Four comment of the day.
It is day 289🎉🎉❤❤
Jesus, Mary and Joseph please unite every family to be faithful and obedient to the will of our Heavenly Father for the good and salvation of our souls. Amen.
Thank you Fr Mike and to everyone for your prayers.
A blessed night/day to all of us.
❤🙏
Amen!!!❤🙏🙏🙏
amen
Praying for Israel.
Day 289
Family ties are important but not absolute. It is a good but we shouldn't make it an ultimate good.
Family cannot come over God because then it becomes an idol
*We must choose right even if our family chooses something wrong*
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion have mercy on us and on the whole world. Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary pray for us sinners. 🙏♥️✝️
❤
Day 289. 🙏❤🙏
Praying for you all.. God bless .. ❤️🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Blessings to all who are participating in the CIY & BIY today🙏🏻🕊📿🕊🙏🏻
Family ties are important but not absolute, because the first vocation of a Christian is to follow Jesus and love Him. Parents must support with joy their children's choice to follow Jesus in whatever state of life, even in the consecrated life or the priestly ministry.
Political authority should always be exercised as a service, respecting fundamental human rights. All those who exercise authority should seek the interests of the community before their own interest and allow their decisions to be inspired by the truth about God, about man and about the world.
@@nf8367The doctrine of the Catholic Church was explained well when the Sacrament of Matrimony was covered. In response to your question, the Christian parent must guide their children in their choices but cannot influence or coerce them in their final decision. On the question of unholy relationships even Pope Francis said in his inaugural message - Who am I to judge? As parents we can only pray for children in unholy relationships and hope they will realise the effect of their choices.The wrong choice gets carried forward for generations. Children leave the Catholic Church without understanding the laws they are called to obey. Fr. Mike will cover more on sexual morality when he covers 6th and 9th commandment
Exactly
My husband and I are in the middle of this sadness - a daughter who is living with another man out of wedlock and will marry him outside of the Church- it is beyond describing - all I can say is that Day 287 of BIY and CIY made me cry many tears and while our daughter knows how we feel, she will not honor her Catholic faith - we keep praying.
Praying for you and your husband ❤
Prayers
Don't let it stress you. God will make a way.
Praise you lord Jesus Christ ❤❤❤❤ we need you and love you❤❤❤ Amen prayers Father Mike Amen ❤️ 🙏
I am going to be bold and send this episode to my elected State and National representatives.
Wow, I hope they at least give it a listen
Fr. Goring said, "Take a Moment to "Step out of Time ~& Stand on the Edge of ETERNITY"💙 Ultimately, we are Made for Heaven!!
The hardest thing I have done was to tell my son who is in an irregular relationship that marriiage is between a man and a woman ordered toward children. He didn't speak to me for a year. But I knew that I needed to choose God and his commands over my son.
Prayers
I so needed to hear this. While on vacation with family, I was chastised for going to a Sunday morning Mass, because it was not part of their schedule, even though they were all raised Catholics. It was a horrible day because at Mass I was stressing over getting back in time so as not to upset the timetable. My daughter-in-law’s words still echo in my mind, “I don’t believe in a God that will condemn you for spending time with their family.” It was not the time nor place for a discussion, so I just responded with silence. Lord have mercy on us all.
That must have been so hard for you... I'm praying for your family.
@@KathleenBanfieldI’m so sorry that happened to you! I bet you wish you had this day in your back pocket to better respond to your DIL but you did the right thing!🙏
Very sad. I pray one day they will understand.
@dolores
Your daughter-in-law sounds like an arrogant horror. Even if they weren't Catholic, they should have recognized that it was important to you, and facilitated you in every way.
@@jamesmcgrath3841 She is actually very lovely and a great mother and wife. I have chosen to forgive her, realizing that God’s not finished with any of us yet. I pray continually for the Holy Spirit to enlighten their hearts and minds.
In this wayward world, I place all my family in your hands Lord🙏......Thank you Fr Mike. Praying for you and everyone here. God bless 🙏🏻 ❤️🙏
My parents were always supportive of my Call to the priesthood. But now I can't imagine my life without my kids. I just thought of this now, if one of my two boys felt that Calling too I'd have remember to encourage but not push.
It's tough. If my son wants to be a priest then I must respect that. I only have one son and so does my brother but this would mean that my family line stops being Catholic.
My Dad went to the seminary for one year, in the Navy, played baseball, got married to my Mom and now I am one of eight children. We all have different faith journeys. My uncle was a priest, his only sibling - he passed away in his 30's from a brain aneurysm in church. Such is the will of God to discover what that will is?
@@Overlord277that must be really hard I don't know if he decided to do it or not he will find out when he goes through the process if this is what he's going to do. You might lose a family bloodline but maybe if his work is with children or a good church your family may grow in ways that you never thought God bless
I think we owe our countries a duty to vote 🗳
I think we also have a duty to be informed on the issues and not vote according to sound bites the week of the election.
Fr. Thank you ❤. Praying for you, for the Ascension Team and all my CIY brothers and sisters. God bless ❤🙏
All of you people watching this please pray for a friend of mine her words exactly “I don't know if non-believer is the right word, I'm not affiliated with any particular religion, I'm probably agnostic right now, I do find value in the psychospiritual, maybe to say I'm questioning is more accurate.”
🙏
I have a friend who left the church because her daughter is homosexual and the church does not recognise her union. It was so disappointing and sad. This episode must be shared widely. Thanks to you Fr Mike for the sensitive yet challenging way in how you presented this episode. We must follow our Lord Jesus not the world. God bless this community.
@attracta
Then your friend had a very shallow belief. How on earth could the Church "recognize" such a union? How on earth could your friend even expect that the Church could do so?
I'm very sad for your friend. Unfortunately many Catholics do follow the World and go to Sunday Mass. I think they do not know or perhaps haven't been taught or shown the beauty of the Faith and its fullness. Also many do not know the power of prayer. As Fr Mike says we are all broken: and I certainly am but I'll keep trying. I want to be a Saint. ❤🙏🙏🙏
Why would your friend leave the church simply because her daughter is homosexual? I'm missing something.
I have a family member in this same situation, sadly. I know I'll be sharing this episode.
Thank you Father Mike! God bless you and everyone here!❤🙏❤
Thank you for this heartfelt discussion. This is probably many people's hardest choice to make: between their loved ones and the Lord. Yet Jesus has made the priority clear that we must choose God first. God bless you, dear Father Mike. I'm praying for you every day. Thank you for BIAY and CIAY that have blessed so many.
Hello everyone & Happy Day 289!🙏😊
To have had this understanding 37 years ago would have relieved so much pain, guilt, and self doubt…..too many people claim God comes first but do not live it….and when one is striving to live it, there is judgment, criticism, and lack of support from those very same people. Persevering in following Jesus brings sincere love, mercy, courage, peace, and joy!
To follow God first can be hard in these upside down times. Parents who have children who have turned to the gay life style, do they love and accept and not judge or do they follow God's way and confront them, even take a priest to talk to them and then as told in the bible kick the dust off your feet and turn away from them. You see the dilemma so many are in now days.
God's message is always challenging, convicting and often consoling. Family ties are important, but not absolute as God is the first priority and the source of good itself. The first vocation of a christian is to follow Jesus who has the first claim on our life, both in big and small ways. Always choose the Lord!!
Those in authority must serve and not command or do something contrary to the dignity of persons/natural law.
Yes praise God. My first obligation is to Jesus ❤️🔥🕊
Word.
And yes I have used family as an excuse to sin. Always convicted when this happens. I pray for grace and fortitude for all of us to avoid these occasions of sin.
Like the last episode about parents, this episode also reminds us of putting God and Jesus before everything else because when we put God before everything else, our life becomes the way it should be for us. If family makes us go against God, we must remember that it will benefit in the short term, but we will regret it in the long term, and the end result will not be pleasant. The example of girls' night out timings clashing with the Sunday Mass is how I would describe God wanting us to be safe and not do risky things. It is often a sign of God that we must stay away from certain behaviors and people. The scriptures tell us that following after vain people leads to nothing (proverbs). After all, vanity of vanity, everything is vanity (Ecclesiastes). Thank you for sharing this, Fr. Mike and Team Ascension. I'm praying for you and for the fellow listeners! God bless
I now have a better understanding of what Jesus meant of division in a family. I pray for the sinner within, not the sin. Somehow God will reach them with me, through me…I remain trusting in the Lord.
Yes it makes perfect sense.
So inspired by the truth shared with courage, conviction & trust that ...Truth sets us truly free!!!❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏
October 16, 2023
Please pray with me.
According to tradition, St. Gertrude the Great was told by Our Lord that each time she piously recited the following prayer, it would release 1,000 souls (or a vast number) from their suffering in purgatory:
Eternal Father,
I offer You the most precious blood
of thy Divine Son, Jesus,
in union with the Masses said
throughout the world today,
for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory,
for sinners everywhere,
for sinners in the universal Church,
for those in my own home,
and in my family. Amen.
In her account of another vision, St. Faustina describes Purgatory as a "great crowd of suffering souls" undergoing purification. Further, she says that the souls are "praying fervently, but to no avail, for themselves; only we can come to their aid" (Diary, 20)
God Bless Fr. Mike!
❤ God bless you too Fr
“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens [outsiders without rights of citizenship], but you are fellow citizens with the saints (God’s people), and are [members] of God’s household,”
Ephesians 2:19 AMP
Padre, thank you for the bit at the end about Just War. A lot of people could use it as a true North these days - I know I have.
Thank you Father Mike
Thank you Father Mike Amen lord
Amen 🙏.
May God bless you always 🙏
It all makes perfect sense,Lord you are so awesome, I love you so much ❤
Jesus have mercy on me and my family and Your underground Church 😭❤😭❤❤😢❤😢❤😢 thank you for teaching us the catechism
Thank you Father Mike. I will be facing a hard time getting to church on a Sunday when visiting a sister out of town. I will be going with another sister. Neither, one of them attends church. One time I was able to borrow my sisters car to attend a church nearby. However, where she lives now I am not sure I can make it to church, so easy. I will try my best to go. I want to go. Praying for yoy, Father Mike and all of us.
Thankyou Fr.Mike for your time...Day 289...Praying for you and all in the Ascension team 🙏
Thank you Fr Mike S. May God continue to bless you🙏❤️
Beautiful!
Thank you Father
13:15 Servant leadership. The authority to serve. Jesus is the model when it comes to leadership and authority.
15:13 Every single human being will always exist forever, all the way into eternity. Every human being will exist forever in glory with the Lord or in horror, separated from the Lord.
Because of that, one individual human being, in so many ways, is of greater value, greater worth, than any one nation or any one single society.
All of us part of society, part of a nation, part of a community at some level, therefore we do ask questions about the common good. However, none of the commands of the common good can go against the dignity of any human person.
Thank you so much for praying for me, Father Mike Schmitz. It means so much. I am praying for you. I prayed for you all at Mass yesterday and in my Rosary. Hope you all have a light-filled peaceful good week. God bless you and yours.
God bless this group.
Thank your
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼, indeed so many influencing factors to impact family but not absolute either way good or bad.
❤
October 16, 2023
Let me ask you, have you ever considered listening to Saint Faustina’s Diary in a year and/or EWTN Mother Angelica’s Classics to add to your Catholic learning?
Oh my goodness so much life guidance in conjunction with Father Mike’s Bible and Catechism in a Year!
Truth is hard to tell. It is easy to disappoint our parents.
Spot on
Holy Mass is not just an obligation. Mass is an AWESOME opportunity to grow in relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, where He reveals who He is and draws us in deeper relationship and community COMMUNION with Him and otherS!!! ! AMEN!
🙏🙏🙏🤗❤️
Your Song of the Day: “Servant Song”- by D. M. McGargill.🎶
I think the hardest part of cancer treatment is at the end when everyone assumes you are cured and you no longer need their help. You are in the weakest most devastated state, plus no longer have the mission you had when you began this journey: to kill the cancer. The cancer is toast, but so are you, and now, like a soldier at the end of the war, you need help putting yourself back together, and everyone has gone home because they assume that the war is over.-Anonymous
Gracious Lord, we entrust the sick and suffering to your care. May they encounter your healing grace, and may their faith be a source of hope and comfort.
❤❤❤
Amen. Such a great point
I'm so sorry about this. Thank you for sharing because it gives all who read it something to consider if we have friends and loved ones in your situation.
🙏🤲🙏💕
I was hoping you were going to comment on paragraph 2233 the second paragraph, “Parents should welcome and respect with joy and thanksgiving the Lord’s call to one of their children to follow him in virginity for the sake of the Kingdom in the consecrated life or in priestly ministry.”
I think he did by mentioning that tied with yesterday’s in regards to not interfering with your adult child’s vocation to holy orders.
I'm so guilty of missing Mass while on vacation. These places are so rural that there is no internet or it is too weak to google weekend mass times. I do map out ahead of time Masses but when there is a function event I volunteer to work to earn credits to gain a discount on the event. So now I'm not only missing Mass but I'm working on the Lord's day. Now I believe in God's mercy towards my good intention to be at Mass and I confess these sins before ever partaking in the Eucharist again so I'm not overwhelmed.
Jesus while in a rural part of Galilee decided to attend a small synagogue for the Sabbath. He got himself and the disciples kicked out for healing a man's withered hand. He said if your neighbor had an ass which fell in a ditch on the Sabbath who would not help his neighbor? Departing down the pathway his disciples out of hunger ate the wheat tassels and the elders of that synagogue saw them and refuted with Jesus why his disciples did what was un lawful on the Sabbath. Jesus answered using the example of King David eating the bread of the presence in the temple because of hunger. Now I'm not saying to deliberately miss Mass but know that if you do Jesus is merciful so confess your sin. The Sabbath is made for man not the other way around and it's man who has established missing Mass as a mortal sin. I give you these examples that it is not always the case. Missing Mass is not done for the most part of hating Jesus and missing Mass should not be viewed as missing the collection plate using the Eucharist as an excuse.
As Fr. Mike said in a previous podcast, if you know you will be missing mass because you are in a place where you can't attend, for example on a cruise ship or in a rural part of a place that has no church nearby, you can ask your pastor for a dispensation and he will surely give it to you. So there is no sin and nothing to be confessed.
If you’re concerned about missing Mass while you’re on a cruise ship, then sail with Holland America Lines. They have a Catholic priest onboard with daily Mass. Thanks be to God!
That’s right ... our allegiance is to God and not the church
This hit on one of my greatest concerns with my relationship with God. I have a tendency to worry (to the point it is a sin) about the health and well being of the ones I love. Many many times I have been asked “don’t I have faith” . There are moments I fell strong in my faith and don’t fear death for myself. However, If I am being honest and I was given an ultimatum (faith in Christ) or let my loved one die. I wouldn’t let them die. I know this situation is a stretch but it has crossed my mind. I ask the question do I really have faith?
🙏🙏🙏
How do we reconcile situations with family who are not in communion with Christ or God? How does that affect how we respond and/or act with them. In other words, in what ways would a Christian/Catholic Mom and Dad exercise what you, Fr. Mike, are expressing in regards to par. 2232 and 2233 when dealing with our adult who are not Christians?
Prayer is key. One might ask if we truly trust God to bring them back? Also, a parent has the authority to express their disagreement if a child places them into a situation that will cause the parent to deny God’s commands. That is loving your child even if that means speaking the truth in charitable ways.
There are ways to make the other person understand the gravity of the position they are placing you.
I have had to tell someone close to me that I cannot support their decision to be in a “near ocasión of sin” and it did not tear our relationship apart because I continued to love them.
Sometimes the mason or the carpenter choose Sunday to come and do repairs on your house. I personally tell them NO. Sunday is my church day☹!
Father Mike, how does a parent handle the issue of their child not wanting to get married in church?
@catherine
That's up to the child. If the parents understand that the marriage is valid, then they may attend that, even if it is only a legal ceremony. I hope this is right, because I had a sister get married in a civil ceremony, and I consider that was valid as she said at the time that she was no Catholic belief or such. I attended this wedding.
On the other had, I had a friend who married outside of the Church. He claimed to believe in Catholicism, so that to my mind made his marriage to some degree irregular. I didn't attend that one. Hope I was right in each case. Problem with not attending is it can be very damaging to relationships, so this is not a black and white situation.
@@jamesmcgrath3841 But that is exactly why Jesus said His teachings would divide families. We're supposed to choose Jesus over the hurt feelings of family members.
@@diamondlou1
Indeed. But we need to be very careful about inflicting those hurt feelings in anyone. Have to be sure that your motives are absolutely pure. If my sister claimed to be Catholic, and wanted a "non-Church" wedding, I wouldn't have gone, for example. Case by case. And be very careful in making judgments. For some people inflicting "hurt feelings" gives them a sort of kick. And if done from the point of view of self-righteousness? Then it is far more harmful than good.
@@jamesmcgrath3841 I'm referring to what God (and therefore the Church) teaches. In Fr Mike's example, as I remember it, all the family members were supposedly practicing Catholics, yet only one understood the duty and obligation to interrupt a vacation to go to Mass. This caused hard feelings in the group. So be it; the person who went to Mass was completely in the right, no matter how 'hurt' the others were. God comes first.
@@diamondlou1
As I say, diamondlou. "Case by case"..... One person wanted to go to Mass, then the others were unreasonable in complaining about it. But if she had insisted that they all go? They would have had reason to complain....
So what do parents of a son or daughter who enter into a homosexual relationship (even marry) say and how they essentially exist with each other and still abide by God’s law. Do the parents not welcome the child and significant other into their home?
@roxansilva
Good question. I had an American cousin whose son divorced, and had a live-in girlfriend. She would never visit their home, for reasons which they fully understood. But they were always welcomed in hers. They were always both fully welcomed to all family events, but had to observe her rule. Only "marrieds" slept together. Again, they had to respect that. And they did.
Jesus pls gift me a Lamborghini!
Same situation with adult children living with their girlfriends or boyfriends ? What do we as parents do? I am sure I am not the only practicing catholic who is encountering these issues in their family and don’t know what to do?
I need some light here Father, what if my daughter is dating seriously an older man who was married has two children but divorced… I don’t agree with it , told her openly… do I meet this guy and allow him into the family because it is her choice or do I not. I hope you can give me counsel on this. Thank you Nadia
How do I still accept and love my sister who is gay??
How are we to treat those in our families who are in irregular relationships without discarding God's commands?
I wish someone could make a video on this question giving concrete examples. Thankful Fr. Mike is challenging us here.
@user
I'd say with a great deal of understanding. Very easy for "us" to come across as smugly self-righteous.
Yes and we can “ judge” the sin but we cannot judge the sinner. How can we hope for them to come back if we turn our backs on them and not show unconditional love? Prayers for all🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
It’s not easy but there will be hurt most likely. Love means having to say and do hard things that are unpopular sometimes.
It’s just as hard when they do not redirect your values and lead you to err on the side they are asking you to cross.
@@beegeefan4ever the reason we've gotten where we are in society is way too much going along to get along. Our Judgment Days will be one on one. It can be extremely tough and painful to stand by what we know to be moral and right but I'm not going to Hell just to keep a relationship here on earth. I'm afraid there's going to be a Lot of people answering on Judgment Day for making their families idols. Like I shared. Doing just that for too many years has greatly contributed to the mess we're in. This is my belief.
If my child is in a "wrong" relationship, do I turn my back on him? I don't approve of it, but I don't know what to do.
You don't turn your back on him, but you follow Jesus and all the commandments. And maybe it'll cause him to turn his back on you, Jesus foretold it.
We must also realize that who "is in a wrong relationship" (and I was one of them too) or something else serious turned their back on God and His family in the first place, like the prodigal son. It's not you turning your back. But we must imitate the father, not the older son.
We must do so lovingly. I too have someone close to me who is choosing a “near ocasión of sin” situation in their life. I let them know in a loving way that my spouse and I cannot support this. We still love each other and they respect our values but are not giving God full authority in their life. It’s very hard. It requires charity yet strength.
But prayer to God and trust in God’s intervention is key! It might not be right away and may take years for their eyes to open but trust and surrender.
Please clarify-are you saying if we have family members in irregular relationships, we should separate ourselves and not love them? Are you saying if we love and accept them it would be idolizing them?
Question❓️Fathers Mike 🤔how tall are you 🤔I'm guessing 7 feet tall 😮😎👍. You can be a wwf wrestler 😎👍. I can see it now💭🤼♂️can you smell what Jesus is cooking through father Mike 🦾😉
Fr. Mike is about 5’10”
Lets pray a rosary for Israel-Palestinians...Ukraine-Russia...amen amen amen
Ora pronobis misserere nobis amen
Thank you Fr. Mike, for Day 289. 🛐
Amen
Gracious Lord, we entrust the sick and suffering to your care. May they encounter your healing grace, and may their faith be a source of hope and comfort.❤❤
@@KB_2161 Amen. That was needed. I was given the opportunity to quietly learn the window screens; and the recipes of Tim Coffee Shop; and I declined; like almost quitting. It's high power; like a zoo. I had just learned French; and I have to be; running the same pace. I was on the cashier; first time in my life; and I was too country too. The customers wanted to talk to me; and I would talk. Politely cut them short; and take the next customer.
I worked four days last week. I learned everything that takes 3 months; and I learned it in 3 days. I was surprised at myself; learned all the machines and coffee recipes; but not a pro. It wall crammed up in my head. I learned all the window of the cashier too. I did it.
Then, today, Monday: I was cleaning after their messes; lots of syrup everywhere; on the wall even. They never have time to clean; and I am there for that. It is a zoo.
The woman boss was out of control today; screaming to the top of her voice; and they yelling back.
I can escape and do other chores; and I asked a new worker about the outbursts. She said; she's worked in many restaurants and she has never, never, never seen such behaviors. I ESCAPED THAT; AND STILL HAVE A JOB. It's not easy for me; in these matters; so, that is -why I am happy; that I have a job; walking distance. JUST PERFECT FOR ME.
So that is it. Thank you for your prayers.
Now I am dealing with buracracy; and they MUST HELP ME; BECAUSE; THEN I WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE CYLCLE OF PAYING AGAIN. This is a trial right now.
I found this scripture for Fr Mike in the things he said: about separation. I found the scripture.
2 Corinthians 6: 14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial?[b] Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said,
Psalms.
I got a call from the government agent; today was the last day for swearing in signatures! I downloaded it Five days ago; and still they didn't get it. My NERVES CANT TAKE IT.
@@MorreHope Many people who would normally be calm and speak politely are letting the spirit of unrest that is in the world right now enter into their personal space. We have to pray for all that is going on, but not let it take control of our life. I am glad things are gong good for you. 🥰🙏🙏🙏❤