24 September 2023 - Only By Grace Reflections
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TOPIC: WILL I SERVE IN THE VINEYARD OF THE LORD WITH A GRATEFUL HEART?
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First Reading: Isaiah 55: 6-9
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 145: 2-3, 8-9, 17-18
Second Reading: Philippians 1: 20c-24, 27a
Alleluia: Acts 16: 14b
Gospel: Matthew 20: 1-16a
In an interview with Fr. Mike Schmitz he said "I was getting ready to get married to an amazing woman, but in my prayer, I said, "God I will do whatever you want me to do." In my prayer, I realized God was saying, I will love you no matter what you choose, but I am calling you to a different path."
Fr. Mike Schmitz was raised a Catholic. He grew up in Northern Minnesota, in a family where the only reason he can skip attending the Holy Mass is when he is really sick.
During his elementary days, he did not like the church. He would go to Holy Mass and openly made fun of the priest during the entire mass.
When he was 15 years old he experienced a moment of grace.
He had this conviction of personal sin.
He said “Oh my God I have done those sins, I can’t save myself, I need a savior.
During that time he did not know how to pray but he knows a priest and where the priest live. So he took his bike, went to the priest and requested for a confession.
Mike Schmitz realized 3 things after the confession:
First, he said, I am so grateful to our Lord Jesus because I came in sinful and I came out completely forgiven from all of my sins because of Jesus.
Second, he said, God, if you want me to be a priest, I would hear anyone who wants to hear confession, and I will hear their confession any time they want.
Third, he is still open to entertain a relationship to a beautiful lady.
He went to college to learn more about his faith.
After College, he became a full time missionary in Central America.
He got really sick during his mission in Central America
