logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2025
6m 58s

How Being a Christian Will Affect Your L...

ASCENSION
About this episode

As we discover the lives of the saints, it seems they endured quite a bit of suffering before receiving their eternal reward. It begs the question, is it worth it?

Fr. Mike reminds us that in this life, we will have suffering. The question is not, can you avoid suffering by avoiding Jesus? The question is, can your suffering be transformed by embracing Jesus?

Support The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

Up next
Oct 29
How Can You Be Sure of God’s Will?
How often does it feel like certainty about the will of God is elusive in the midst of discernment? Drawing from the wisdom of Mother Angelica, Father Mike reflects on what it truly means to walk by faith and trust that God's will is often best seen in the rearview mirror. Ascens ... Show More
8m 38s
Oct 22
God Is Asking You to Do Something Today
Not all of the families in the tribe of Levi were called to offer the sacrifice as priests, but all had important roles to play in the worship of God. Likewise, no matter how unseen or small your God-given task may seem, faithfully fulfilling it is essential for the body of Chris ... Show More
7m 40s
Oct 15
4 Tips If Prayer Is Hard Right Now
Feeling like you are just going through the motions in your relationship with God? Father Mike unpacks ways you can still approach God during periods of spiritual dryness with some practical steps to take with you into prayer. 
7m 36s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2024
A Prayer to Help You Comfort Others
Have you ever wondered if there is any purpose in your suffering? We certainly don’t go looking for suffering—it comes to us because life is a journey through difficulties and triumphs. Sufferings are a reminder of what Jesus Christ went through and it is a way for us to encourag ... Show More
6m 29s
Jan 2025
The Value of Suffering
Suffering is a universal human experience that is difficult to embrace. Jeff Cavins explores how suffering can be a transformative and redemptive experience when we unite it with Christ's suffering. Drawing on Scripture verses and the teachings of St. John Paul II, Jeff provides ... Show More
28m 43s
Oct 2024
Suffering: How Can We Carry Our Cross Like Jesus?
Is there a right way to suffer? Should we be suffering in silence or bringing others into our pain? Fr. Josh Johnson reminds us to start by crying out to the Lord in prayer. God can show us if it is time to keep our suffering close to our heart or share our suffering with others ... Show More
21m 43s
Oct 2022
Suffering: An Invitation?
What good can come from suffering? In this episode, Fr. Josh answers a question about praying in the midst of suffering, encouraging us to receive it as an invitation rather than just pain. He also introduces us to Blessed Benedetta Bianchi Porro, who strived to do just that. Sni ... Show More
18m 56s
Oct 2023
Are the Saints Unrelatable?
When you hear the stories of the saints is it ever overwhelming? Some of their stories are so extraordinary that they can feel quite unrelatable. Dr. Edward Sri shares some of the saint stories that are very relatable. There are saints who made human mistakes, who struggled to pr ... Show More
24m 41s
Mar 2024
Good Suffering and Friday
Is there such a thing as good suffering? On this Good Friday, Jeff Cavins discusses the real meaning of suffering and why it is important to expect suffering in life. He explains the different types of suffering and how we can suffer well so that we may be true followers of Chris ... Show More
39m 9s
Mar 2023
Embrace the Cross
Offer it up! Carry your cross! These aren’t bad things to do, but our response to suffering can be even greater. There is so much that can come from our suffering, from carrying our crosses. Dr. Sri describes what fruit can come from not just bearing our crosses, but embracing th ... Show More
24m 6s
Aug 2022
Suffering for the Truth
Are you willing to suffer for the truth? Are you willing to be misunderstood, even hated for it? Using the example of St. John the Baptist, Dr. Sri explains why it is essential that we suffer for the truth and how we can prepare ourselves to proclaim it. Snippet from the Show Out ... Show More
27m 12s
Sep 2022
Day 260: Carrying the Cross (2022)
Fr. Mike reinforces Jesus' divinity as we read about how Jesus heals people physically, mentally, and spiritually and frees them from the enemy's kingdom of darkness. Fr. Mike also encourages us to not be afraid when we experience persecution and division for the sake of Christ, ... Show More
24m 50s