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Ascension

Faith, pop culture, and headline reflections from Fr. Mike Schmitz.

The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

Our lives are so full of noise, distractions, constant activity. But we weren’t made to be filled with these things. 

Fr. Mike Schmitz reminds us that fasting isn’t just about food. It’s about emptying ourselves so God can fill us. Lent isn’t only about saying no, it’s about saying yes to Someone greater.

Your Fasting is Doing More Than You Think (w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz)

So often we focus our Lent on discipline, willpower, and perfection. But the goal isn’t perfection. The goal is union.

Fr. Mike Schmitz shares that the most powerful thing he ever did for Lent wasn’t adding more prayers, books, or practices, instead it was choosing silence.

See how this simple step can transform your Lent and bring you closer to the Lord than ever before!

The Best Thing I’ve Ever Done for Lent

When someone gets chosen instead of you, how should you respond?

Fr. Mike Schmitz reminds us that God has a unique plan for each and every one of us. When others are blessed by being chosen, there is often a hidden burden that comes with it. We tend to see the blessing, but we forget the weight that accompanies it.

Instead of giving in to jealousy or self-pity, remember this: everyone has their own story. If God didn’t choose you for what you were hoping for, it’s not because you were overlooked, it’s because He has something different, and perhaps even better, in store for you.

I’ll Never Forget What My Ex-Girlfriend Told Me (w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz)

Falling into the same sin again and again? Don't let the devil fool you, there is hope!

Fr. Mike Schmitz warns us of the lies of the devil and encourages us to go immediately to confession when we sin. Don't get discouraged, but have the humility to confess your sins and the hope that Christ can transform you!

If in weakness you sin, in freedom, claim the Lord.

The Devil’s Last Weapon Against You (w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz)

What's in our heart that refuses to celebrate when good things happen to someone else? 

Fr. Mike Schmitz reflects on the story of the man healed on the Sabbath. Many focus on the fact that Jesus healed on the Sabbath, though technically allowed, but Fr. Mike invites us to look deeper.

The real issue isn’t the law. It’s the heart. More than Jesus performing the miracle, what this story exposes is that sometimes we fail to value the suffering of others, or even the joy of others, because they simply don’t matter enough to us.

If This Doesn’t Bother You, That’s a Problem (w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz)

Did Judas think he was actually helping Jesus fulfill His mission by betraying Him? Was Judas pre-destined to become the traitor of the Lord? 

Fr. Mike Schmitz asks these bold questions and unpacks what Scripture says about the person of Judas Iscariot. By evaluating his motivations and his lack of cooperation with the grace given to him, Fr. Mike details what a tragedy it is that he never became St. Judas.

Why Did Judas Betray Jesus?

Why do Catholics baptize their babies? Is it even biblical?

At first glance, infant baptism can seem unbiblical. But Fr. Mike points to several instances in Scripture that support the practice and reveal God’s desire to bring children into His covenant family from the very beginning.

Baptizing a child doesn’t replace their freedom — it begins their life of faith. As they grow, they will one day choose Jesus for themselves and personally embrace the grace they first received as a gift.

For those baptized as adults, baptism becomes a conscious, public declaration of faith. That journey often includes waiting, and that’s okay. There’s no need to rush. God uses the waiting to prepare your heart, deepen your desire, and make you ready to fully receive what He wants to give you.

Something sacred happens in the waiting. It stretches the heart, strengthens faith, and forms trust. Let God do His work there.

Infant Baptism Explained (w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz)

"'Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?' He (Jesus) said to him, 'You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" Matthew 22: 36-39

Fr. Mike Schmitz warns us of the dangers of making our lives too full, even with good things. He reminds us of the beautiful quote from St. John of the Cross, "In the twilight of our lives, we will be judged on love alone."

If You’re Too Busy, You’re in Danger of This Grave Mistake (w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz)

Fr. Mike jumps into the mystery of Knives Out, not to solve the murder but to understand the truest mission of the priesthood. 

In the midst of Hollywood's fascination with Catholicism, they've often had trouble capturing an honest representation of Catholics. However, Fr. Mike explores the success of Rian Johnson's appropriate casting and display of a priest in the midst of impossible odds. 

Find out what Fr. Mike loved about the film and why he thinks, this time, Hollywood got it right!

Fr. Mike Schmitz Reacts to "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery"

2026 marks the 5th anniversary of Bible in a Year! Over the past five years, the Lord has taken this podcast to extraordinary places -- reaching listeners in more than 150 countries, becoming the #1 podcast in the U.S., and remaining the #1 religious podcast in the world, even five years later.

Through Bible in a Year, God has transformed hearts and minds, and we are deeply grateful to every listener who has made this journey possible. As we continue creating new videos, podcasts, books, and articles each day, we invite you to press play once again on Bible in a Year.

Join Fr. Mike, and all of us, in the Ascension App, as we encounter God’s voice and learn to live our lives through the lens of Scripture.

The Best Thing I’ve Ever Done for Lent

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