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.

You can skip to a specific section by clicking the links below.

Jump to:

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

Tough Love

In Father Mike Schmitz’s homily, he reflects on the nature of love and its connection to duty and commitment. He starts by discussing a movie called “Dan in Real Life,” where a character says, “Love isn’t a feeling; it’s an ability.” This statement resonates with Father Mike as he explores the concept of love as an ability that requires action.

Father Mike emphasizes that love is not solely based on emotions but also on our willingness to commit and fulfill our promises. He discusses how sometimes love can feel like a duty, but it’s essential to put our hearts into our responsibilities and not merely go through the motions. Love, he says, involves the freedom to say no and the power to say yes, regardless of our changing feelings or circumstances.

He draws parallels between our ability to love others and our ability to love God by obeying His commands. Father Mike encourages the congregation to focus on keeping their promises, even if it feels like a duty, and to find joy in fulfilling God’s will. He reminds them that love is a decision, and by saying, “I’m here because you asked me to, and because I said I would,” they can cultivate the ability to love, even when it’s challenging.

Listen to the full version here.

Cathedral of Christ The King

Archbishop Hartmayer’s homily focuses on the theme of changing one’s mind and the importance of conversion in Christian living. He starts by mentioning the saying, “It’s a woman’s prerogative to change her mind,” highlighting the idea that changing one’s mind is a necessary characteristic of Christian living, regardless of gender.

He connects this theme to the recent readings from Matthew’s gospel, which have emphasized reconciliation, forgiveness, and conversion. The ability to change one’s heart and turn toward the Lord is crucial, as failure to do so can lead to spiritual decay and an incorrect conscience.

The Archbishop stresses that we must consider our eternal life and the judgment that awaits us. He mentions the concept of deathbed conversions and the importance of not delaying one’s relationship with God.

He also shares stories of individuals who experienced conversions in their lives, emphasizing that it’s never too late to turn to God. He encourages introspection, prayer, and seeking reconciliation as steps toward change and closer relationships with God and others.

Archbishop Hartmayer also touches on the ongoing Synod on synodality in the Church, emphasizing that synodality calls for listening, encounter, and discernment, and it may lead to small but meaningful changes in the Church.

Overall, the homily encourages reflection on one’s faith journey, the need for conversion, and openness to change guided by the Holy Spirit. It also underscores the importance of unity and love within the Church.

Listen to the full version here.

Passion City Church

All on the Alter

In Louie Giglio’s sermon, he begins by addressing the common perception of worship as something limited to specific times, places (like Sunday church services), or musical expressions. He challenges this notion and aims to expand the audience’s understanding of worship. He emphasizes four key points in his sermon.

First, he stresses that worship is not confined to a particular group of people. He wants the audience to realize that every individual is inherently a worshiper. He draws from the book of Romans, highlighting how even when humanity turns away from God, they continue to worship, albeit by exchanging the object of worship.

Giglio’s second point emphasizes that worship is not just a segment of life but encompasses all of life. He argues that worship should be a lifestyle, not restricted to specific rituals or songs. He uses examples from popular culture, like fans of celebrities or sports teams, to illustrate how people devote themselves entirely to what they value.

The third point delves into the concept of true worship. Giglio highlights the importance of worshiping in spirit and truth, drawing inspiration from Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well. True worship is a whole-life response to God’s glory and grace, characterized by an authentic connection to God.

Finally, Giglio underscores why worship matters. He asserts that what we worship shapes us and defines our lives. Whether we worship God or idols, our focus and priorities determine our character and destiny. He also emphasizes the urgency of recognizing the value of worship in the present, as we have only one shot at life.

Overall, Giglio’s sermon encourages his audience to broaden their perspective on worship, emphasizing that it’s not limited to certain times or expressions but should permeate every aspect of life, leading to an authentic connection with God and a transformation of one’s character and priorities.

Listen to the full version here.

Trinity Anglican Church

In Nate Smith’s sermon, he focuses on a passage from the Bible where Jesus addresses the issue of authority and obedience through a parable. The parable involves two sons and their response to their father’s request to work in the vineyard. The first son initially refuses but later changes his mind and goes to work, while the second son enthusiastically agrees but fails to follow through.

Smith begins by setting the scene during the Passion Week, highlighting the events that had unfolded, including Jesus entering Jerusalem and cleansing the temple. He then moves on to the confrontation between Jesus and the chief priests and elders, who question his authority.

The sermon explores the concept of assumptions, drawing attention to how assumptions can hinder our understanding of spiritual truths. Smith uses an anecdote from his medical training to illustrate the consequences of incorrect assumptions. He emphasizes the importance of examining our assumptions and being open to changing our beliefs and behaviors when they don’t align with the truth.

Smith also delves into the idea of cognitive dissonance and how it can affect our ability to accept new information or experiences. He suggests that acknowledging and addressing cognitive dissonance is crucial for personal growth and spiritual understanding.

The parable of the two sons serves as the centerpiece of the sermon, highlighting the importance of obedience as an expression of love for God. Smith emphasizes that words alone are insufficient, and true obedience involves following through with actions that demonstrate our commitment to God.

In conclusion, Nate Smith’s sermon encourages listeners to reflect on their assumptions, beliefs, and behaviors that may be hindering their spiritual growth. It underscores the significance of obedience as an expression of love for God and the need to let go of hindrances to receive God’s truth and experience deeper intimacy with Him.

Listen to the full version here.

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