Whether you call them homilies, sermons, or talks, there’s a lot you can learn from the spiritual leaders in our community. While in a perfect world, you’d have time to listen to everyone, that simply isn’t possible for most with limited time to spare. To help, we’ve surfaced and summarized the teachings from the audio sermons of some of the most influential priests and pastors from around town and in the Christian sphere.

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Jump to:

• Fr. Mike Schmitz
• Cathedral of Christ the King
• Passion City Church
• Trinity Anglican Church
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Fr. Mike Schmitz

In his homily for the Feast of the Holy Family, Fr. Mike Schmitz begins by reflecting on the distinct but complementary roles within a family, using the example of St. Joseph. He notes that while Jesus is God and Mary was born without sin, Joseph was the only sinner in the trio, yet his role as protector and provider was essential. Fr. Mike highlights a study showing that mothers are biologically wired to wake up to a baby’s cry, while fathers are more likely to wake up to noises from outside the house, illustrating a natural inclination for mothers to nurture life and fathers to protect it.

Addressing common struggles in modern relationships, Fr. Mike identifies two primary temptations: control for women and passivity for men. He argues that a healthy marriage requires a shift where the man rejects passivity to embrace responsibility, and the woman rejects control to embrace trust. Using the Holy Family as the ultimate model, he explains how Joseph leading his family into Egypt and Mary entrusting herself to his leadership demonstrates this dynamic of responsibility and trust in action.

Fr. Mike also critiques contemporary cultural archetypes of masculinity and femininity, which he describes as parodies of the biblical ideal. He observes that men are often given the choice between being a “brute” who dominates or a “slacker” who checks out, while women are pushed toward hyper-independence or erasing themselves. He clarifies that true masculinity, as seen in Jesus and Joseph, is about maximizing one’s strength to serve others, such as when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples or defended the vulnerable. Likewise, true femininity is marked by fierce fidelity, creative wisdom, and a courageous trust in God’s plan.

In conclusion, Fr. Mike calls families to look toward the letter to the Colossians as a roadmap for holiness. He emphasizes the need to “put on love” as the bond of perfection and to practice heartfelt compassion, humility, and forgiveness. By encouraging husbands to provide and protect in a way that earns trust, and wives to lean into that trust while children remain obedient, he suggests that every family can begin to mirror the Holy Family. He challenges listeners to be thankful for their loved ones and to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Listen to the full version here.

Cathedral of Christ The King

On the Feast of the Holy Family, the homily at the Cathedral of Christ the King focused on the family as the “domestic church.” The Bishop emphasized that the family is the primary place where an individual is formed in Catholic living, noting that the first blessing many receive is being brought to the church for baptism by their parents. He highlighted the importance of families modeling themselves after Jesus, Mary, and Joseph to serve as a living sign of Christ’s love.

Drawing from St. Paul’s letter to the Colossians, the Bishop provided a “prescription” for a healthy domestic life: heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. He stressed that a home must be a place of mutual respect and forgiveness, where members are ready to apologize and truly listen to one another. Without these virtues, he warned, the home can sadly become a place where people lose hope rather than find it.

To strengthen the spiritual bond within a family, the Bishop offered practical advice, urging families to pray and attend Mass together as a way of putting God first. He also cautioned parents not to let work overwhelm their time with children and advised young people to prioritize family experiences over social media or time with friends. Even in families where some members do not actively practice the faith, he encouraged those who do to remain steadfast and pray for the Holy Spirit to guide their loved ones.

The Mass also served as the official closing of the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope for the Archdiocese of Atlanta. The Bishop reflected on the theme of hope as a theological virtue that many found waning after the pandemic and in need of restoration. He concluded by reminding the congregation that they are “pilgrims of hope,” called to maintain their faith and be a sign of God’s unwavering love to the world.

Listen to the full version here.

Passion City Church

In this sermon, Louie Giglio explores the concept of being a “Manna Person,” drawing from the biblical story of God providing manna to the Israelites in the desert. He describes Passion City Church as a “Manna Ministry,” explaining that for 30 years, they have operated without a “war chest,” instead relying on God to provide exactly what is needed for each step. He shares a powerful story of a $75,000 check arriving unexpectedly via FedEx just when the ministry faced a $72,000 gap, illustrating that God’s provision often arrives right when it is needed most.

Giglio emphasizes that this principle of daily provision applies to every individual, calling listeners to see themselves as “manna men” and “manna women.” He recounts the Exodus story where God provided thin flakes like frost on the ground, but commanded the Israelites not to keep it overnight, as fresh manna would come the next day. When some tried to hoard it, it became infested with maggots, serving as a reminder that we must trust God for today’s needs rather than projecting tomorrow’s worries into our current moment.

To illustrate God’s personal attention to our needs, Giglio shares a story about wanting a specific arrow for a presentation but forgetting to arrange it. Upon arriving at his hotel, he found a unique, handcrafted arrow made of aspen wood and bison bone waiting for him—a gift from a friend who had no idea Giglio was looking for one. This “manna in the morning” served as a reminder that God is present even in the small frustrations of our lives, working behind the scenes while we are unaware.

The sermon concludes with an invitation to rest in the present moment and trust in God’s faithfulness for the future. Giglio encourages listeners to “wash out their jars” in faith each night, turning over their worries and sleeping peacefully because they believe God is working while they sleep. He reminds the congregation that Jesus is the ultimate manna, sufficient for every need, and prays for the strength to be confident in God’s provision as they move into the new year.

Listen to the full version here.

Trinity Anglican Church

In her sermon at Trinity Anglican Church, Caroline Hiler Albert reflects on the theological depth of John 1, explaining that the Word of God is not just an ancient story but a creative force that existed before time and through which everything was made. She uses the analogy of a bear hibernating in a dark den to describe how God often works in the “quiet and cold” of our lives, producing new life and preparation even when it feels like nothing is happening. This imagery reinforces the idea that the light of Christ is constant, even when it is imperceptible, mirroring the natural cycle where days begin to lengthen after the winter solstice.

Albert addresses the reality of darkness, acknowledging that it is not merely an imaginary fear but a presence felt through trauma, grief, and uncertainty. She emphasizes that the Incarnation—God “moving into the neighborhood”—is our lifeline, proving that God does not rescue us from a distance but enters directly into our suffering. By choosing vulnerability and poverty over worldly power, Jesus revealed a God who does not avoid human hardship but transforms it from within, offering us a redemption that restores creation rather than abandoning it.

Drawing from the church calendar’s Feast of the Holy Innocents, Albert reminds the congregation that the darkness of King Herod’s violence tried to extinguish the light of the newborn King, yet the direction of history was forever changed. She connects this ancient darkness to modern struggles like racism, loss, and fear, asserting that hope is possible because the darkness will never have the final word. The light of Christ, she explains, is not just something to admire but a reality that we receive, granting us the right to live as children of God who resemble our Father in moving toward those who suffer.

The sermon concludes with a call to action, urging believers to be “witnesses to the light” in mundane, everyday ways. Albert shares a touching personal story about her grandmother who had Alzheimer’s, recounting how members of her church community chose to sit with her and support her family on Christmas Eve, embodying the light of Christ in a season of confusion. She invites the congregation to the communion table as an act of receiving this light, which empowers them to return to the world and shine it where grief and uncertainty still linger.

Listen to the full version here.

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