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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- Fr. Mike Schmitz
- Cathedral of Christ the King
- Passion City Church
- Trinity Anglican Church
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Fr. Mike Schmitz
Fr. Mike Schmitz emphasizes the indispensable roles of both the Bible and the Church in comprehending Catholic beliefs. He asserts that every Catholic doctrine, whether explicitly stated or implicitly present, can be found in the scriptures. Fr. Schmitz highlights that the Church’s role is crucial for accurately interpreting what to believe, offering examples such as purgatory. While not explicitly named in the Bible, the concept of purgatory is supported by truths found in passages like 2 Maccabees 12 and 1 Corinthians 3. He stresses that without the Church’s infallible authority to interpret the Bible, the text could become “worthless” due to potential misinterpretations.
A central theme of Fr. Schmitz’s homily, particularly relevant for Trinity Sunday, is the nature of the Trinity. He points out that while the specific word “Trinity” may not appear in the Bible, the reality of the Trinity is unequivocally present, and all Christians believe in it. Fr. Schmitz explains that God has progressively revealed himself—first through nature, then in the Old Testament as a personal God, and finally and fully in Jesus through the Holy Spirit and the Church. He elaborates that Jesus revealed God’s “innermost secret”—that God is an eternal exchange of love between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Fr. Schmitz further illustrates the Church’s critical role by discussing early Christian heresies concerning Jesus’s identity. He mentions Docetism, which denied Jesus’s true humanity, and Arianism, which contended that Jesus was not fully God. Fr. Schmitz notes that despite clear scriptural declarations, such as Thomas’s proclamation “My Lord and my God,” interpretations varied, necessitating the Church’s infallible authority to correct errors and clarify doctrines, establishing Jesus as both fully God and fully man. He also addresses Apollinarianism, a heresy that claimed Jesus possessed only a divine mind, which led the Church to affirm that Jesus had a complete human mind, body, and soul for humanity’s redemption.
Finally, Fr. Schmitz connects these points back to the Trinity, identifying biblical hints and explicit references to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in passages from Genesis, John, Romans, and Matthew. He concludes by explaining that the Councils of Nicaea (325 AD) and Constantinople (381 AD) were essential in articulating the doctrine of the Trinity—that God is one divine being in three divine persons. Fr. Schmitz underscores that the Nicene Creed, recited today, directly stems from these councils, emphasizing that without the Church, a true understanding of God’s identity would have been impossible.
Listen to the full version here.
Cathedral of Christ The King
In his homily for Trinity Sunday and Father’s Day, Msgr. Frank McNamee began with a humorous anecdote about a couple married for over 60 years. The wife had a shoebox with two crocheted dolls and over $100,000. She explained that her grandmother advised her to crochet a doll every time she got angry with her husband to ensure a happy marriage. The husband was touched that there were only two dolls, signifying only two instances of anger in 60 years. However, the wife then revealed that the money came from selling the dolls.
Msgr. McNamee used this story to transition into the reflection on the Holy Trinity and Father’s Day. He emphasized the importance of honoring earthly fathers while also reflecting on the Heavenly Father, who is part of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He noted that while the Trinity is a mystery often discussed in theological writings, its presence is deeply rooted in the daily lives of believers, starting from the earliest prayer learned: the Sign of the Cross.
He then delved into the profound meaning of the Sign of the Cross, describing it as more than just a routine gesture but a powerful profession of faith in the Holy Trinity—a “mini liturgy.” Msgr. McNamee explained the symbolism of each movement: touching the head signifies dedicating our minds to God the Father, the divine creator; resting fingers on the heart symbolizes love for God the Son, the great lover and savior; moving hands from shoulder to shoulder signifies eagerness to do good works under the guidance of the Holy Spirit; and interlocking hands symbolizes unity in effort, concluding with “Amen” meaning “So be it.”
Msgr. McNamee concluded by reiterating that the Trinity is woven into the fabric of Catholic life from baptism to confession and even in vows taken in marriage or religious life. He encouraged the congregation to pause and reflect on the deep meaning of the Trinity whenever they make the Sign of the Cross, reminding them that it represents loving with their hearts and serving with their hands in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Listen to the full version here.
Passion City Church
This sermon, “The Power of Presence—Claiming a Healthy Relationship with Technology,” is the concluding part of a series on relationships, shifting focus to our interaction with technology. The hosts introduce Hannah Briner, author of “The Unplugged Hours,” and Joey Odum, co-founder of the tech companies RORO and Reclaim Well, who share their personal journeys and passion for helping others navigate technology in a healthy way. Joey recounts missing his son’s first soccer goal due to being on his phone, a pivotal moment that highlighted the detrimental impact of technology on presence and relationships. Hannah shares a similar realization during early motherhood when her daughter’s constant attempts to grab her phone made her question the message she was sending, emphasizing the profound importance of being present and the spiritual warfare that attempts to distract us from it.
The discussion further explores how technology affects our relationships, both horizontal (with others) and vertical (with God). The speakers highlight how phones can turn us into a “childlike state of relationship with an object,” causing us to cling to devices even in the presence of real human connection. They assert that our relationship with technology is impacting all other relationships, distracting us from those right in front of us. The sermon also touches on the “3M parent trap,” where parents model poor phone habits, and then their children mimic this behavior, leading to frustration. They emphasize that real change begins with individuals modeling healthy habits.
A significant point made is the potential for technology to steal our identity in Christ by constantly presenting a “scoreboard” of comparison through social media, making us feel inadequate. This impacts our ability to connect meaningfully, as people often scroll for connection that can only be found in real relationships. They connect technology’s distractions to the parable of the sower, likening phones to “thorns” that choke out the word of God by bringing in deceitfulness of wealth, worries, and worldly pleasures. This constant noise in the “information age” can pull us away from directly engaging with God’s word and cultivating intimacy with Him.
The sermon concludes with practical steps and encouragement for reclaiming a healthy relationship with technology. Joey suggests starting with small acts of physical distance from phones, aiming for two hours of unplugged time per day to gain an extra month in the year. He also encourages searching for “bids” of connection from others and responding with the powerful phrase, “Let me put down my phone,” followed by physically removing the device and locking eyes with the person, thereby instilling value and building intimacy. Hannah advises taking inventory of areas where you want to be relentlessly present, tracking progress, and focusing on small, consistent steps. The sermon underscores that this is a lifelong journey requiring discipline and grace, not shame, with the ultimate goal of fostering deep, meaningful relationships with God and His people, as we were created for community, not isolation.
Listen to the full version here.
Trinity Anglican Church
In his Father’s Day and Trinity Sunday sermon, Kris McDaniel acknowledges the complex emotions many experience on such holidays, emphasizing that God can hold both the beautiful and difficult aspects of our relationships. He then shifts to the main topic: the Holy Spirit, focusing on John 16:12-15. McDaniel explains that Jesus stated He had more to tell His disciples than they could bear, signifying a human “capacity problem.” Using an analogy of narrow-mouthed vs. wide-mouthed water bottles, he illustrates that the Holy Spirit increases our capacity, allowing us to receive more peace, truth, and awareness of God’s presence, which we desperately need in a chaotic world.
McDaniel further explains that the Holy Spirit teaches us truth, providing a “true north” in a world where objective reality feels increasingly elusive, especially for younger generations. He clarifies that the Spirit doesn’t impart truth magically, but rather “walks us into truth” incrementally, offering a settled, grounded awareness consistent with scripture. This is particularly vital when our capacity to grasp truth is limited by life’s complexities and the world’s chaos. The sermon then describes the Holy Spirit as a guide who walks beside us, contrasting this comforting image with the exhausting views of God as either far ahead (leaving us behind) or constantly poking us from behind to “do better.”
He emphasizes that the Greek word paraclete (for Holy Spirit) means “one beside you,” offering a healing alternative to distorted perceptions of God. This “withness” of God, embodied by the Holy Spirit, allows for daily spiritual engagement and comfort in life’s uncertainties. Lastly, McDaniel highlights that the Holy Spirit does not act independently but is in constant dialogue with the Father and Son, building trust and dispelling negative associations some have with the Spirit’s work. He explains that the Holy Spirit’s role is to glorify Jesus by taking what belongs to Him and making it accessible to believers, enabling our participation in powerful, life-giving work.
McDaniel concludes by inviting the congregation to consider Andre Rublev’s iconic Trinity painting, which portrays an open invitation to sit at God’s table, symbolizing unending sharing, joy, and a perpetual dance with the Divine, far different from rigid religious duty. He encourages making room for the Holy Spirit by finding quiet spaces (different from loneliness) that restore and ground us, and by regularly praying the ancient prayer, “Come, Holy Spirit.” This holistic approach, addressing our spiritual, physical, intellectual, relational, and emotional selves, allows for healing and for our “hurts” to be brought to God’s table for restoration.
Listen to the full version here.
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