This talk changed my life when it first came out. However, in the past four weeks, it's been the thing that has kept me going. My husband and soul mate was killed in a crash 4 weeks ago. I wish so badly that I had been with him and had died with him. But God chose to keep me from going with him at the last minute. God chose for me to continue living. Without my husband. I have to say YES to this. I have to say YES to living ... and not just survive, but EMBRACE it. Saying YES to living means that I'm doing something positive with my life, not just existing. I need to say YES to hope. I need to say YES to God's future plans for me. Some days this means saying YES to getting out of bed, rather than pulling the covers over my head. Understanding this as passive purification has helped so much and has allowed me to see the holiness and beauty in it. It's also helped me to know that God is going to give me the strength to do all this. My hope is that God will be glorified.(update 3 and 1/2 years later: I wasn't Catholic when I wrote this. I wasn't even considering it. A year and a half later I was welcomed into the Church. That's helped me so much.)
Alyce-Kay Ruckelshaus I’m so sorry for your loss. Take time to grieve. You can just be with it for awhile, as long as you need. Little by little you can regroup. Just be patient with the process. God is gentle and will comfort you. He cries with you, too.
It's now been a little over a year since my husband's death. I just want to say that this has been a huge part of getting me through. Intentionally saying yes to God, because living right now is just my cross. Picking it up and engaging with life is so hard but this is what I have to say yes to. The other thing that has helped me immensely is the chaplet of Divine Mercy. Especially the prayer at the end where we ask for God's mercy and as a result are able to submit ourselves with confidence to his holy will. That is definitely a reality for me now as God has been filling me with grace and mercy in answer to my prayers. Thank you so much to those of you who have shared as well. Your responses have also really uplifted me. Seeing how other people apply this is very helpful and encouraging.
@@alyce-kayruckelshaus1224 Good luck and stay strong. May the Lord help you, as he said "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Mt 11:28. You'll find rest with him. :-) Love and blessings 😀
I look forward to your videos every week. Almost a year ago I watched your video on mortal sin and it hit me so hard. Finally made me understand how choosing sin is literally me not choosing God. I fought a 15 year pornography addiction. With that one video I said no more. It’s going to be a year this May. Thank you Father Mike. Praise be to God.
Well done, David! I also struggled with pornography but, choosing freely to say NO MORE is a process of mastery. Continue the fight, my friend. Happy Easter!
The enemy thinks that I will be angry with God or deny Him with my loss but I will take up my cross and glorify Him evermore! Glory to God in the highest!
"I have these attractions in my life, I don't want them, but here they are." THAT IS SO ME! I wish I didn't have feelings, but they are there. I thought it was just another reason to mope. Now I realize it's a cross I have to bear. That actually makes it amazing to me!
Ahh yes! I wanted to be an opera singer once. Instead I ended up a therapist working with death and dying. I woulda paid big money to dodge that bullet. Oh well. I’m older now, probably would still pick singing, but alas! Lol. My cross was a blessing, sigh. I’m not sorry.
That last part hit me like a ton of bricks. Exactly what I need to hear right now. I have such an unrelatable situation that occurred that I never asked for and the healing process is now causing depression and anxiety. I have been picking up my cross and doing everything possible to get better including taking medication and speaking to a therapist. This also caused me to run to Jesus and completely repent and turn away from a life that was built upon lies. This video gave me so much clarity. I see Jesus has plans for me. I am ready to follow him any way I can. I now belong to a catholic church and I am taking the RCIA class and I am already taking steps to grow in the church community. I pray everyday several times and I get the messages. One thing I witnessed yesterday is that when I am feeling fear, depression, and anxiety, if I think about helping others, all of those symptoms immediately disappear. I know that is definitely Jesus training me to be selfless right now and to follow God's will.
I will pray for you, friend! Such a beautiful and good testimony, I see God is working through you :) be strong and of good courage! I am in the same boat you are so I will pray for a friend in Christ ❤ God bless you 🕊
Mighty Father, please grant me strength to carry my cross. Lord Jesus, please grant me patience to not give up. Holy Spirit, please grant me wisdom to make the right decisions. Guardian Angel, please keep me in the right path. Amen.
At times my cross gets heavy. I know Jesus is with me. I pray the rosary daily especially for the mentally ill who are addicted to illegal drugs. Thank you for teaching us about our Blessed Lord, Amen and Happy Easter to all.
I’m going through the crazy anxiety working full time and being in grad school part-time. The only thing keeping me going is knowing I’m almost done and that the anxiety will pass. I’ll say three Hail Marys for us both Lisa. #fixitjesus
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh 7:58 😮🥰🙏🏼💒💜 my anxiety isn't a curse it's a blessing from God to use this extra energy for good like helping at church or with my neighbors law. All I want to do is make him happy and than I'm happy because I know he's happy and he's my father I want to make him proud. I feel your love God it bursts in my heart like the sun overflowing...ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh. wow I'm having so many realizations lately thanks be to God. 🥰
I feel that I’ve been throwing tantrums over my chronic illness, can’t work , sometimes can’t get out of bed, depressed & overwhelmed I will pick myself up for his sake I have my grandkids watching & want them to know we can’t quit, I will tell them about my cross & why I’m still here to carry it. Lord I have been through NOTHING my cross is nothing compared to what you do for me , Thank you for holding me when I am weak .
What does an average week for you look like? You pray the Liturgy of the Hours five times a day, spend time in adoration, pray the rosary, create podcasts, and fulfill your priestly duties. This doesn’t include the unknown research and confession time which can take up to 10-20 hours a week. Oh, I forgot about speaking and teaching duties. Am i close? Thank you for all the quality work you do with a smile, Prayers for you and all the clergy.
Thank you Father Mike. I just made a cross out of a palm from today's Palm Sunday Mass. This holy week marks the end of my RCIA journey. I am getting confirmed and receiving Jesus in the Eucharist this Easter Vigil! Pray for me.
im an addict (heroin/fentanyl/carfentanil was my main drug of choice, but id use anything you put in front of me) currently in recovery (1 year 2 months off the sauce!), and this REALLY hits home to me, Father Mike. i really can relate to saying yes and doing something about it, cause i used to kinda think it was just my lot in life to be a dope fiend, and that it was all id ever be, especially cause ive been using since i was 13, doing other drugs even earlier. i just picked up fresh Naloxone (Narcan) today just to be safe, but God Willing, i havent had an OD in a year, and it's all thanks be to God for allowing me to pick up my Cross, and do something about it.
Father, please please please do a video on Scrupulosity. I struggle daily. I never feel worthy of the Eucharist. I constantly am worried that I have sinned. I know it would help others as well
sam & fam If you are going to confession regularly, attending weekly mass, and saying your prayers on a daily basis, then you are worthy of receiving the Eucharist. If you don’t think you’re worthy of receiving the Eucharist after doing these things, you might have some issues with your “pride”...Pride is of the devil. Be aware of the voice which says to you, you will never be good enough. The cross is bigger than your sins. The mercy of Jesus is overflowing for you.
FWIW, I always remind myself, along with the whole Church, that "I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof", but he a) calls me to receive him, having seen to it that nothing stands as an impediment through sacramental Confession; and b) he wills to come to me in order to sanctify, remedy, heal, and remake the broken parts. Once I have done what I know I must, it is his will that makes me worthy to approach the altar.
Oh Father Mike...you have no idea how much I needed to here that. My husband is seriously ill with chronic heart failure and I have become that person you mentioned who can't get out of bed. We are on the verge of losing our house and I start a new job on Monday, but I so do not want to. This was just what I needed. Thank you and God Bless You.
Pamela King God bless you, you will get through this purification. May God give you the strength you may need. Your brothers and sisters in Christ may help you.
This makes me think of a short story entitled “Is Your Cross Too Heavy To Bear?" Where a man prays that his cross is too heavy and Jesus says put your cross in this room and go into the other room and pick the cross you want. The man looks at all the crosses and sees a small one in the corner and pick that one. Jesus then says "My son that is the cross you just brought in.” Jesus never gives us a cross we can not carry. Thank you Fr. Mike for an other great video.
Fr. Mike, you will never know how much this explanation helped me. I've experienced many disheartening things in my life, and this last one (mental illness in my teenage daughter) almost has broken me. Additionally, I feel constantly tempted by sins of the flesh. I wonder if I'll make it to salvation. Please pray for me to accept my crosses and avoid temptation. God bless!
I am not Catholic, but I really like this. Too many times our own mind or the devil convinces us that the LORD's way is the really hard way. It's a matter of attitude following Jesus Christ. Let the Holy Ghost give you inspiration on what you need to do in your life.
Thank you. So many times over, thank you Father Mike for sharing the truth and the love of our God. I'm at a trying time in my life with the passive purification the Lord has seen fit to give me, not to mention it has caused me to doubt my vocation and this talk has helped greatly. And I'm understating it! God bless you Father Mike
We indeed each have a cross to carry! Mine is a mental illness. I don't want it, but I have it, so I carry it. Jesus has made wonderful provisions so that I can carry this: the right meds in the right dosage, excellent medical care, and long-term and emergency care plans. Like I said, I don't want this, but with His Grace, I CAN and DO care this cross! Brothers and sisters in Christ, I will continue to pray that Jesus will stand beside you in all your trials.
perfect timing. I was just praying that I ask Jesus to teach me to learn to face the difficulties in my life which I can choose to avoid them but because of Jesus, I am offering them to Jesus because there is no cross that Jesus never carried.
There is a crown there which nobody's head but yours can ever wear. There is a seat in which none but yourself can sit. There is a harp that will be silent till your fingers strike its strings. Charles Spurgeon...We cannot be crown wearers there if we are not cross bearers here...Thank you brother! Blessings
Important distinction, though: we aren't set apart "from the world" so much as "for the Lord". We aren't set apart to be anti-world, but to be pro-God, if you will.
Praise the Heavenly Father for bringing me to this video! It is an answer to a prayer. And thankyou Fr. Mike for your hard work and obedience to God in puting this out.
Thank u father. Felt as if the Lord is talking to me through u & as if each and every word was for me. Going trough the hardest part of my life. Completely lost & alone. Pls pray for me and for everyone who might need it the most.
That last part made my eyes well up a little, Fr. Mike. I realized, that we are part of the glory we give to God, and for just a moment, I felt special, important. They say God loves each of us as if we were the only one, and I felt that just for a sec. Too cool.
I never wanted to be a teacher, but for the past 5 years I've been thinking that that is what God wanted for me. The hardest the holier, right? NOO. THANK GOD FOR THIS VIDEO! I was going insane with this struggle. Thank you father Mike. God bless!!
I am the new RCIA director of my parish Christ the King in Pleasant Hill. I am designing our new program (Easter 2020) with adding your videos that pertain to each meeting. THANK YOU! Praise God for your gifts, direction, humor, and teaching. Hallelujah! I love you! WE love you!
Fr. Mike, your comments about the misunderstanding of 'deny yourself' at 1:30 is precisely what God has begun to reveal to me lately. The way my clinging to this mistaken notion has hindered God's plan and my peace in it is tremendous. Thank you for mentioning this to all your listeners and affirming for me what I've been receiving in prayer.
Thank you father mike. Two years ago I was diagnosed with epilepsy and I always asked God why me? and didn’t want to get better. Thank you for letting me realize that I need to get better and take up my cross. ✝️
I saw this minutes before I received some bad news. I am thankful because I found strength to respond during the situation. I know it was Christ's strength that sustained me while I listened to every word I didn't want to hear. The pain is still present in my heart, but I know the Lord is at work and I continue to trust Him and praise Him. Thanks Fr Mike.
Hi Fr. Mike, 1st thank you for all the work and time that you put into each of these videos, I watch and rewatch them! I work for the Catholic Church as the coordinator of family life at my Parish in the Dallas diocese. I find my work very rewarding and I love what I do on a daily basis. As you know, work in the church can be extremely rewarding but also very difficult, heartbreaking and sometimes exhausting. I have a gentleman that has been emailing me off and on for several years requesting prayers, one of the things I do at the parish is an email prayer chain. That's how we came to know each other. He lives in Maryland. This video spoke directly to my heart and I believe it will to Gary's heart as well. I've sent him the link. It never fails that God sends the exact person to us with the message we need to hear when we need to hear it and when we're READY to hear it. I sent him this video because I think it will speak to him in the way that he needs to hear...From Christ...through you... to him. In my own life I've been struggling with a relationship with a man that I love with all my heart for over a year and we keep having the same misstep which are all about communication issues or kack thereof. I have asked God so many times "please, please God let this man be for me. Please let this relationship work, please... (dot, dot, dot) I've been fighting so hard and refusing to think this relationship might not be what God wants. I know and believe that He only wants what is for our greater good. So many times we fight for what we want and forget to ask God what does He want for me? "Tell me God what you want and I'll do it, I'll pick up my cross and deny myself just tell me!!" Thing is, if I'd stop shouting, begging, bargining with God I might actually hear what He wants!I truly enjoy your videos, I think they are great and I share them with couples that I work with and prepare for marriage and with people that I that come to me in grief, loss, dovorce or addiction. I always am able to find a video that you have done that speaks to me and I know speaks to them. May God bless you Father Mike, may He bless you abundantly in all areas of your life and I thank you for your priesthood... I thank you for your service and I thank you for the face of Christ that you show.
Thank you for your priesthood - truly you are a gift from God to us all. Bless you Fr. Mike and keep up your wonderful work of showing us the way to Him.
I have been seeking a deeper understanding to the meaning of "taking up my cross". I know we each have our own cross to bear and that cross, in a sense, becomes our mission in life. What was missing in my understanding was the connection between carrying my cross to fulfill my mission and giving up or losing my life for the sake of Jesus. Thank you Father for bringing clarity to what, I thought, were two different acts but in fact are one in the same! Today was my first experience watching your YT channel.... I might just have rediscovered the catholic in me! 😊
TIMELY VIDEO. I need to remember - " for my sake, by my side, with my strength." I will remember these like a mantra.. such is Jesus love that when I think I'm carrying my cross alone, the wonder is Jesus carries it for me! Thanks Fr Mike.God bless you!
It’s difficult to find words that would express my gratitude for you and what you do here. Thank you so much for sharing your love and light with all of us.🙏🏻
For all those who in courage stepped out about their situations in these comments may our Lord, whose compassion knows no limits, give you peace and a hope for the future. God bless.
Thank you, Fr. Mike for clarifying this message for me! I have struggled for a long time (decades) with trying to carry my cross of addiction. Now I know the true meaning of this passage and how I am to say yes to Jesus for the crosses in my life. It will be hard and I know I will stumble under the weight but I know that Jesus will be with me every step of the way. Jesus, I want to lose my life for Your Sake!
Thank you so much father. This spoke so much to me. I'm almost in tears at work. I don't yet understand why I'm dealing with certain things, but I understand a little more now what I need to do and why I need to do it.
I particularly enjoyed this video. The comment about your cross becoming a crown ,and doing it all for Jesus really stopped me in my tracks. We can be really struggling with a cross but this is a great thought to return to in the times of struggle. I also liked the explanation of passive and active crosses. keep up the good work.
Best video of yours that I have seen. Thank you, Father. ... " [41] And he was withdrawn away from them a stone's cast; and kneeling down, he prayed, ... [42] Saying: Father, if thou wilt, remove this chalice from me: but yet not my will, but thine be done. ... [43] And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony, he prayed the longer. ... [44] And his sweat became as drops of blood, trickling down upon the ground."
Awesome! Father Mike, you put words to what I am experiencing. Thank you God for our beautiful Catholic faith that gives meaning to these difficult experiences.
Jesus fell 3 times when carrying his cross. Failing moments is what defines carrying a cross and sometimes falling. . We just get up. Easy huh? No. I pray you pass though the eye of a needle to see your God. You are purifying for the eternal life and you are called. God bless you.
Just what I needed to hear even though I know this. I am now just beginning to accept my crosses in my life that are heartbreaking because there is nothing I can do to change my son from being and choosing to be a drug addict. All I know that I can do is give him to God and pray. Thank you Fr Mike
So, good! Fr. Mike this was the clearest description of taking up your cross daily, I’ve ever heard. I so want to be Catholic, but I have one huge roadblock. 😢
Thank you so much father Mike. It's clear for me now after having heard you; it's partly my story and I feel relieved and will be willing to hear you again and again on this video.
Fr. Michael, You really do make a very good and valid point. Often times whenever I have a hectic day at work, I call upon the name of Jesus Christ and ask him to help me out with my issues and struggles by picking up my cross ✝️☦️. I may not like it but in the end, things will turn out well.
Perfect message for me...thanks Fr Mike, God bless you for sending this message. It gave me clarification why I need to embrace my sickness instead of complaining, it is my own cross that I need to pick up...Amen 🙏😇❤
Such a thoughtful video. I am always aware of your mindful preparation prior to filming. As life wore on, I came to believe that a recognition of the truth in my life was tantamount to a picking up of the cross. When it seemed crushing, I remembered the holy card from my favorite teacher’s ordination: “The Truth Will Set You Free.”
Amazing explanation!! Thank you Father Mike!! I struggle with this one for ever.. You made me understand so much better and it comes at a time in my life when I am facing a few crosses I didn't choose and I do not want.. You helped me so much... God Bless you
This talk changed my life when it first came out. However, in the past four weeks, it's been the thing that has kept me going. My husband and soul mate was killed in a crash 4 weeks ago. I wish so badly that I had been with him and had died with him. But God chose to keep me from going with him at the last minute. God chose for me to continue living. Without my husband. I have to say YES to this. I have to say YES to living ... and not just survive, but EMBRACE it. Saying YES to living means that I'm doing something positive with my life, not just existing. I need to say YES to hope. I need to say YES to God's future plans for me. Some days this means saying YES to getting out of bed, rather than pulling the covers over my head. Understanding this as passive purification has helped so much and has allowed me to see the holiness and beauty in it. It's also helped me to know that God is going to give me the strength to do all this. My hope is that God will be glorified.(update 3 and 1/2 years later: I wasn't Catholic when I wrote this. I wasn't even considering it. A year and a half later I was welcomed into the Church. That's helped me so much.)
Alyce-Kay Ruckelshaus you are a warrior for having that attitude. God bless you, and all the strength to you and those YES’s when it may seem hard.
Alyce-Kay Ruckelshaus I’m so sorry for your loss. Take time to grieve. You can just be with it for awhile, as long as you need. Little by little you can regroup. Just be patient with the process. God is gentle and will comfort you. He cries with you, too.
May The Lord bless you always dear sister. Amen
It's now been a little over a year since my husband's death. I just want to say that this has been a huge part of getting me through. Intentionally saying yes to God, because living right now is just my cross. Picking it up and engaging with life is so hard but this is what I have to say yes to. The other thing that has helped me immensely is the chaplet of Divine Mercy. Especially the prayer at the end where we ask for God's mercy and as a result are able to submit ourselves with confidence to his holy will. That is definitely a reality for me now as God has been filling me with grace and mercy in answer to my prayers. Thank you so much to those of you who have shared as well. Your responses have also really uplifted me. Seeing how other people apply this is very helpful and encouraging.
@@alyce-kayruckelshaus1224 Good luck and stay strong. May the Lord help you, as he said "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Mt 11:28. You'll find rest with him. :-)
Love and blessings 😀
This priest is the real deal, strong enough to be speak the truth, a real disciple.
For His sake
By His side
With His strength
My new motto
*"...ultimately holier is not harder, holier is saying YES to the Father..."* - Father Mike Schmitz.
I always thought the harder penances would bring me closer to God
@@IONov990, now just see why our God is the FATHER🙏🏼!
Amen!
...and take up your cross and follow Me!☦🛐
EMM CM holiness is not just hard, it's IMPOSSIBLE... (without God) ;)
I look forward to your videos every week. Almost a year ago I watched your video on mortal sin and it hit me so hard. Finally made me understand how choosing sin is literally me not choosing God. I fought a 15 year pornography addiction. With that one video I said no more. It’s going to be a year this May. Thank you Father Mike. Praise be to God.
Well done, David! I also struggled with pornography but, choosing freely to say NO MORE is a process of mastery. Continue the fight, my friend. Happy Easter!
Glory be to God my brother! I learned it's possible to be chaste in relationships & mastery of my "passions "
Diana Hayden thank you. Channels like ascension presents help so much. I never realized how rich the online Catholic community is. God is good!
I thought tonight was going to be my last, and I've been watching video after video and i think i can hang on longer.
@@CelticConservative Praying for you. Remember that you are loved by God and by your brothers and sisters in Christ. Please continue to hold on.
The enemy thinks that I will be angry with God or deny Him with my loss but I will take up my cross and glorify Him evermore! Glory to God in the highest!
This VIdeo is 4 years old and you're still an inspiration. Thank you Father Mike
"I have these attractions in my life, I don't want them, but here they are." THAT IS SO ME! I wish I didn't have feelings, but they are there. I thought it was just another reason to mope. Now I realize it's a cross I have to bear. That actually makes it amazing to me!
Ahh yes! I wanted to be an opera singer once. Instead I ended up a therapist working with death and dying. I woulda paid big money to dodge that bullet. Oh well. I’m older now, probably would still pick singing, but alas! Lol. My cross was a blessing, sigh. I’m not sorry.
@@Donna-cc1kt Glad it worked out for you :)
Have the same cross to bear dear. This helped me so much. God bless you and keep you.
Thank you father. This came at the perfect time for me.
Nice to see another Catholic Gamer in the chat
@@KurffyOfficial im a gamer too yeet
I'm also impressed with the way these videos seem to correlate perfectly with whatever struggle I'm facing.
Nate Michalak sameee
Another "Catholic Gamer" here, I hope all of you are doing well on the path to righteousness. It's a tough world out here
That last part hit me like a ton of bricks. Exactly what I need to hear right now. I have such an unrelatable situation that occurred that I never asked for and the healing process is now causing depression and anxiety. I have been picking up my cross and doing everything possible to get better including taking medication and speaking to a therapist. This also caused me to run to Jesus and completely repent and turn away from a life that was built upon lies. This video gave me so much clarity. I see Jesus has plans for me. I am ready to follow him any way I can. I now belong to a catholic church and I am taking the RCIA class and I am already taking steps to grow in the church community. I pray everyday several times and I get the messages. One thing I witnessed yesterday is that when I am feeling fear, depression, and anxiety, if I think about helping others, all of those symptoms immediately disappear. I know that is definitely Jesus training me to be selfless right now and to follow God's will.
I will pray for you, friend! Such a beautiful and good testimony, I see God is working through you :) be strong and of good courage! I am in the same boat you are so I will pray for a friend in Christ ❤ God bless you 🕊
I've lived my whole life thinking harder is holier. Its so good to hear what that's not true. Saying yes to God is holier
"His cross became His crown..." I love that. Thank you, Father Mike.
Mighty Father, please grant me strength to carry my cross.
Lord Jesus, please grant me patience to not give up.
Holy Spirit, please grant me wisdom to make the right decisions.
Guardian Angel, please keep me in the right path.
Amen.
At times my cross gets heavy. I know Jesus is with me. I pray the rosary daily especially for the mentally ill who are addicted to illegal drugs. Thank you for teaching us about our Blessed Lord, Amen and Happy Easter to all.
I have a few exams and an essay that's giving me crazy anxiety and depression. I really needed this. Thank you.
Similar here, doing my phd thesis, I completely burned out. I am not anymore! Good luck to you!
@@skodovkar thank you so much for the support!
@Ellen C thank you for the support 💘
Pray to Saint Joseph of Cupertino
I’m going through the crazy anxiety working full time and being in grad school part-time. The only thing keeping me going is knowing I’m almost done and that the anxiety will pass. I’ll say three Hail Marys for us both Lisa. #fixitjesus
You are the easiest priest to understand! Thank you.
Hello Diane
God is listening. I asked him about suffering today, and he sent me this...
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh 7:58 😮🥰🙏🏼💒💜 my anxiety isn't a curse it's a blessing from God to use this extra energy for good like helping at church or with my neighbors law. All I want to do is make him happy and than I'm happy because I know he's happy and he's my father I want to make him proud. I feel your love God it bursts in my heart like the sun overflowing...ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh. wow I'm having so many realizations lately thanks be to God. 🥰
Very often we ask God to change the situation we find ourselves in, when in reality God puts us into those situations to change us.
This came at the perfect time... When I wanted answers from Jesus for my present condition. And He answered through you ♥️😇
Piyush Priyadarshan May God bless you, brother!
I’m crying. I didn’t choose this but I will take it up. I will keep taking it up. Thank you Fr. Mike. Thank you, Jesus.
I feel that I’ve been throwing tantrums over my chronic illness, can’t work , sometimes can’t get out of bed, depressed & overwhelmed I will pick myself up for his sake I have my grandkids watching & want them to know we can’t quit, I will tell them about my cross & why I’m still here to carry it. Lord I have been through NOTHING my cross is nothing compared to what you do for me , Thank you for holding me when I am weak .
What does an average week for you look like?
You pray the Liturgy of the Hours five times a day, spend time in adoration, pray the rosary, create podcasts, and fulfill your priestly duties. This doesn’t include the unknown research and confession time which can take up to 10-20 hours a week. Oh, I forgot about speaking and teaching duties. Am i close?
Thank you for all the quality work you do with a smile, Prayers for you and all the clergy.
Thank you Father Mike. I just made a cross out of a palm from today's Palm Sunday Mass. This holy week marks the end of my RCIA journey. I am getting confirmed and receiving Jesus in the Eucharist this Easter Vigil! Pray for me.
im an addict (heroin/fentanyl/carfentanil was my main drug of choice, but id use anything you put in front of me) currently in recovery (1 year 2 months off the sauce!), and this REALLY hits home to me, Father Mike. i really can relate to saying yes and doing something about it, cause i used to kinda think it was just my lot in life to be a dope fiend, and that it was all id ever be, especially cause ive been using since i was 13, doing other drugs even earlier. i just picked up fresh Naloxone (Narcan) today just to be safe, but God Willing, i havent had an OD in a year, and it's all thanks be to God for allowing me to pick up my Cross, and do something about it.
Father, please please please do a video on Scrupulosity. I struggle daily. I never feel worthy of the Eucharist. I constantly am worried that I have sinned. I know it would help others as well
sam & fam If you are going to confession regularly, attending weekly mass, and saying your prayers on a daily basis, then you are worthy of receiving the Eucharist. If you don’t think you’re worthy of receiving the Eucharist after doing these things, you might have some issues with your “pride”...Pride is of the devil. Be aware of the voice which says to you, you will never be good enough. The cross is bigger than your sins. The mercy of Jesus is overflowing for you.
Look up Jordan Peterson on evil too.
FWIW, I always remind myself, along with the whole Church, that "I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof", but he a) calls me to receive him, having seen to it that nothing stands as an impediment through sacramental Confession; and b) he wills to come to me in order to sanctify, remedy, heal, and remake the broken parts. Once I have done what I know I must, it is his will that makes me worthy to approach the altar.
you, like everyone else, are not worthy, you are a sinner BUT you are made worthy through Jesus. He is enough.
@Jake Sat capital G (:
God bless Father Mike , and everyone here to listen to FR Mike’s message.. ❤🙏🏻
🙏
Father Mike, you are really 😎. Your light shines brightly! Thank you Brother for teaching God's REAL word. ASE'
Oh Father Mike...you have no idea how much I needed to here that.
My husband is seriously ill with chronic heart failure and I have become that person you mentioned who can't get out of bed.
We are on the verge of losing our house and I start a new job on Monday, but I so do not want to.
This was just what I needed.
Thank you and God Bless You.
Pamela King God bless you, you will get through this purification. May God give you the strength you may need. Your brothers and sisters in Christ may help you.
Dear Pamela, I've just prayed a Chaplet of Mercy for your and your dear husband. How are you doing these days? May God bless you. 🙏🏻
So helpful. I wish I had heard this explanation 40 years ago. I would have made such different decisions about how I lived my life.
Hello Sherry
Father Mike you are changing the world one word at a time!! God bless you.
This makes me think of a short story entitled “Is Your Cross Too Heavy To Bear?" Where a man prays that his cross is too heavy and Jesus says put your cross in this room and go into the other room and pick the cross you want. The man looks at all the crosses and sees a small one in the corner and pick that one. Jesus then says "My son that is the cross you just brought in.” Jesus never gives us a cross we can not carry. Thank you Fr. Mike for an other great video.
Fr. Mike, you will never know how much this explanation helped me. I've experienced many disheartening things in my life, and this last one (mental illness in my teenage daughter) almost has broken me. Additionally, I feel constantly tempted by sins of the flesh. I wonder if I'll make it to salvation. Please pray for me to accept my crosses and avoid temptation. God bless!
I am not Catholic, but I really like this. Too many times our own mind or the devil convinces us that the LORD's way is the really hard way. It's a matter of attitude following Jesus Christ. Let the Holy Ghost give you inspiration on what you need to do in your life.
Glory to God, you just answered a prayer. God is truly using you as a pen to deliver a message here on earth. I will pray for you. Thank you!
Clare Mangin the Holy Spirit, the divinity of God that is His breath, is flowing through Fr. Mike when he says things so plainly and truthfully.
Thank you. So many times over, thank you Father Mike for sharing the truth and the love of our God.
I'm at a trying time in my life with the passive purification the Lord has seen fit to give me, not to mention it has caused me to doubt my vocation and this talk has helped greatly. And I'm understating it!
God bless you Father Mike
We indeed each have a cross to carry! Mine is a mental illness. I don't want it, but I have it, so I carry it. Jesus has made wonderful provisions so that I can carry this: the right meds in the right dosage, excellent medical care, and long-term and emergency care plans. Like I said, I don't want this, but with His Grace, I CAN and DO care this cross! Brothers and sisters in Christ, I will continue to pray that Jesus will stand beside you in all your trials.
Active purification. Passive purification. Thank you, Fr. Mike. Very helpful.
perfect timing. I was just praying that I ask Jesus to teach me to learn to face the difficulties in my life which I can choose to avoid them but because of Jesus, I am offering them to Jesus because there is no cross that Jesus never carried.
There is a crown there which nobody's head but yours can ever wear. There is a seat in which none but yourself can sit. There is a harp that will be silent till your fingers strike its strings. Charles Spurgeon...We cannot be crown wearers there if we are not cross bearers here...Thank you brother! Blessings
Yeah this misperception almost cost me my life and soul. Thanks Fr Mike for the clarification! ... Still learning
Important distinction, though: we aren't set apart "from the world" so much as "for the Lord". We aren't set apart to be anti-world, but to be pro-God, if you will.
Amen, amen, amen, amen!! If I could like this 1,000,000 times I would! Thank you Father Mike 😊
Praise the Heavenly Father for bringing me to this video! It is an answer to a prayer. And thankyou Fr. Mike for your hard work and obedience to God in puting this out.
Just awesome. No words to describe!!!
For His sake, by His side, with His strength...
Thank u father. Felt as if the Lord is talking to me through u & as if each and every word was for me. Going trough the hardest part of my life. Completely lost & alone. Pls pray for me and for everyone who might need it the most.
That last part made my eyes well up a little, Fr. Mike. I realized, that we are part of the glory we give to God, and for just a moment, I felt special, important. They say God loves each of us as if we were the only one, and I felt that just for a sec. Too cool.
I’m praying for you all 🙏
I never wanted to be a teacher, but for the past 5 years I've been thinking that that is what God wanted for me. The hardest the holier, right? NOO. THANK GOD FOR THIS VIDEO! I was going insane with this struggle. Thank you father Mike. God bless!!
I am the new RCIA director of my parish Christ the King in Pleasant Hill. I am designing our new program (Easter 2020) with adding your videos that pertain to each meeting. THANK YOU! Praise God for your gifts, direction, humor, and teaching. Hallelujah! I love you! WE love you!
Hello MJ
Fr. Mike, your comments about the misunderstanding of 'deny yourself' at 1:30 is precisely what God has begun to reveal to me lately. The way my clinging to this mistaken notion has hindered God's plan and my peace in it is tremendous. Thank you for mentioning this to all your listeners and affirming for me what I've been receiving in prayer.
Thank you father mike. Two years ago I was diagnosed with epilepsy and I always asked God why me? and didn’t want to get better. Thank you for letting me realize that I need to get better and take up my cross. ✝️
I saw this minutes before I received some bad news. I am thankful because I found strength to respond during the situation. I know it was Christ's strength that sustained me while I listened to every word I didn't want to hear. The pain is still present in my heart, but I know the Lord is at work and I continue to trust Him and praise Him. Thanks Fr Mike.
Hi Fr. Mike, 1st thank you for all the work and time that you put into each of these videos, I watch and rewatch them! I work for the Catholic Church as the coordinator of family life at my Parish in the Dallas diocese. I find my work very rewarding and I love what I do on a daily basis. As you know, work in the church can be extremely rewarding but also very difficult, heartbreaking and sometimes exhausting. I have a gentleman that has been emailing me off and on for several years requesting prayers, one of the things I do at the parish is an email prayer chain. That's how we came to know each other. He lives in Maryland. This video spoke directly to my heart and I believe it will to Gary's heart as well. I've sent him the link. It never fails that God sends the exact person to us with the message we need to hear when we need to hear it and when we're READY to hear it. I sent him this video because I think it will speak to him in the way that he needs to hear...From Christ...through you... to him. In my own life I've been struggling with a relationship with a man that I love with all my heart for over a year and we keep having the same misstep which are all about communication issues or kack thereof. I have asked God so many times "please, please God let this man be for me. Please let this relationship work, please... (dot, dot, dot) I've been fighting so hard and refusing to think this relationship might not be what God wants. I know and believe that He only wants what is for our greater good. So many times we fight for what we want and forget to ask God what does He want for me? "Tell me God what you want and I'll do it, I'll pick up my cross and deny myself just tell me!!" Thing is, if I'd stop shouting, begging, bargining with God I might actually hear what He wants!I truly enjoy your videos, I think they are great and I share them with couples that I work with and prepare for marriage and with people that I that come to me in grief, loss, dovorce or addiction. I always am able to find a video that you have done that speaks to me and I know speaks to them. May God bless you Father Mike, may He bless you abundantly in all areas of your life and I thank you for your priesthood... I thank you for your service and I thank you for the face of Christ that you show.
God bless Mike. I feel the Holy Spirit speaking in all of your TH-cam videos. Thank you for this ministry
Thank you so much for clarifying, Fr. Mike! This is very helpful to me.
“Holiness is not ‘harder’-holiness is saying yes to the will of God.”
This is so helpful when we go through suffering isn't it
Thank you for your priesthood - truly you are a gift from God to us all. Bless you Fr. Mike and keep up your wonderful work of showing us the way to Him.
For. His. Sake.... wow, thank you 🙏
I have been seeking a deeper understanding to the meaning of "taking up my cross". I know we each have our own cross to bear and that cross, in a sense, becomes our mission in life. What was missing in my understanding was the connection between carrying my cross to fulfill my mission and giving up or losing my life for the sake of Jesus. Thank you Father for bringing clarity to what, I thought, were two different acts but in fact are one in the same! Today was my first experience watching your YT channel.... I might just have rediscovered the catholic in me! 😊
TIMELY VIDEO. I need to remember - " for my sake, by my side, with my strength." I will remember these like a mantra.. such is Jesus love that when I think I'm carrying my cross alone, the wonder is Jesus carries it for me! Thanks Fr Mike.God bless you!
Thank you, Father Mike! Perfect timing for what I’m going thru to carry my Lent Cross! Thanks again!
Thank you Father Mike.
It’s difficult to find words that would express my gratitude for you and what you do here. Thank you so much for sharing your love and light with all of us.🙏🏻
For all those who in courage stepped out about their situations in these comments may our Lord, whose compassion knows no limits, give you peace and a hope for the future. God bless.
Thank you, Fr. Mike for clarifying this message for me! I have struggled for a long time (decades) with trying to carry my cross of addiction. Now I know the true meaning of this passage and how I am to say yes to Jesus for the crosses in my life. It will be hard and I know I will stumble under the weight but I know that Jesus will be with me every step of the way. Jesus, I want to lose my life for Your Sake!
Thank you Fr Mike Schmitz, fit clarifying real meaning of “pick up your cross”.
Just saw this today after My husband was taken to hospital. Perfect timing. I so needed this. Praise God
Father Mike, thank you this
Message of Daily Encouragement.
Thanks! I gain much from your preaching and Ascension Presents.
I wish that I could give more.
I'm wanting to write something special to thank you for these wonderful discourses, but the others here tell it all...Thank you Father !
Thank you, Father Schmitz! I need to listen to this video every day.
Thank you For. Mike! Because I run away from said cross, there is always another, heavier one awaiting me.
Thank you Fr.Mike your videos are helping me a lot.
For my sake
by my side
with my strength
i'd try to get that by heart.
Thank you Fr. Mike "For his sake, by my side, with my strength" Blessings this Lenten Season!
Thank you so much father. This spoke so much to me. I'm almost in tears at work. I don't yet understand why I'm dealing with certain things, but I understand a little more now what I need to do and why I need to do it.
Hello Fr Mike schmitz, God bless you because you've been and are still a blessing to me. Your teachings are so profound.
I particularly enjoyed this video.
The comment about your cross becoming a crown ,and doing it all for Jesus really stopped me in my tracks.
We can be really struggling with a cross but this is a great thought to return to in the times of struggle.
I also liked the explanation of passive and active crosses.
keep up the good work.
Best video of yours that I have seen. Thank you, Father. ... " [41] And he was withdrawn away from them a stone's cast; and kneeling down, he prayed, ... [42] Saying: Father, if thou wilt, remove this chalice from me: but yet not my will, but thine be done. ... [43] And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony, he prayed the longer. ... [44] And his sweat became as drops of blood, trickling down upon the ground."
Awesome! Father Mike, you put words to what I am experiencing. Thank you God for our beautiful Catholic faith that gives meaning to these difficult experiences.
Really needed to hear this as I’m struggling during lent.Thanks Father Mike!
Perfect timing!! Soo hard to carry hardship everyday..But Thank you Father 😰( I’m trying soo hard)
Jesus fell 3 times when carrying his cross. Failing moments is what defines carrying a cross and sometimes falling. . We just get up. Easy huh? No. I pray you pass though the eye of a needle to see your God. You are purifying for the eternal life and you are called. God bless you.
Thank you this talk is a real eye opener for me. I will embrace my cross for my sake. May the Lord continues to bless you abondamently.
Just what I needed to hear even though I know this. I am now just beginning to accept my crosses in my life that are heartbreaking because there is nothing I can do to change my son from being and choosing to be a drug addict. All I know that I can do is give him to God and pray. Thank you Fr Mike
God bless you Father! Your video helped me greatly!
Your walk is very organized. I feel my way through these prayers and agree with the opportunity God has provided through the cross.
Father, you are so on "FIRE!"
So, good! Fr. Mike this was the clearest description of taking up your cross daily, I’ve ever heard. I so want to be Catholic, but I have one huge roadblock. 😢
For his sake, by his side, with his strength, thy will be done🙏✝️
Brilliant. thank you for the guidance. May God bless you and all priests and religious, always.
Hello Josette
Thank you so much father Mike. It's clear for me now after having heard you; it's partly my story and I feel relieved and will be willing to hear you again and again on this video.
God bless you Father Mike!
Fr. Michael,
You really do make a very good and valid point. Often times whenever I have a hectic day at work, I call upon the name of Jesus Christ and ask him to help me out with my issues and struggles by picking up my cross ✝️☦️. I may not like it but in the end, things will turn out well.
Thanks!
Harder is not holier. Thank you so much for this revelation, Father
Thanks, Father. Yes, the Lord helps those who (choose) to help themselves.
Many thanks for this Fr Mike! "Holier Is Saying Yes To The Father."
"For his sake, by his side, with his strength" Thank you for this ❤️❤️❤️
Perfect message for me...thanks Fr Mike, God bless you for sending this message. It gave me clarification why I need to embrace my sickness instead of complaining, it is my own cross that I need to pick up...Amen 🙏😇❤
Such a thoughtful video. I am always aware of your mindful preparation prior to filming.
As life wore on, I came to believe that a recognition of the truth in my life was tantamount to a picking up of the cross. When it seemed crushing, I remembered the holy card from my favorite teacher’s ordination: “The Truth Will Set You Free.”
Amazing explanation!! Thank you Father Mike!! I struggle with this one for ever.. You made me understand so much better and it comes at a time in my life when I am facing a few crosses I didn't choose and I do not want.. You helped me so much... God Bless you
Thank you father mike! This is what God has called you to do! Don’t stop the videos because you are inspiring people all around!