Basketball legends aren’t celebrated for never fouling but for their prowess on the court. In a parallel fashion, notable saints are remembered not for being sinless but for their fervor and dedication, said Father Mike Schmitz to an audience of around 1,000 at a Plymouth seminar.

Popular for his podcast series such as “The Bible in a Year,” Father Mike was a recent guest in a monthly talk series organized by the Detroit Archdiocese. He emphasized the tendency of Christians to overly focus on their past missteps rather than the broader spiritual journey.

Father Schmitz, hailing from Duluth, Minnesota’s Diocese, highlighted the difference between playing defensively out of fear versus playing aggressively to win in one’s spiritual journey. He emphasized that the aim isn’t flawlessness but to find and fulfill our purpose in God’s grand design.

He posed a thought exercise: when questioned at heaven’s gates about their worthiness to enter, what would one reply? While many might cite their good deeds, Father Schmitz believes the most fitting answer is simply “Jesus,” underlining the principle that entrance to heaven isn’t about merit but grace.

Father Schmitz expanded on the significance of Christ’s sacrifice, urging believers to both be grateful and utilize the divine gifts, particularly by nurturing the cardinal virtues.

Detailing these virtues – justice, temperance, prudence, and fortitude – Father Schmitz shared insights into their importance in the Christian life. Justice, he said, is about acknowledging our indebtedness to God, while temperance helps regulate our interactions with worldly gifts. Prudence, unrelated to demeanor or fashion, is about clarity of life’s ultimate goal. Father Schmitz further linked prudence to priorities and the alignment of actions with life’s main objectives.

He humorously termed fortitude as “fourth-ti-tude” and described it as the courage to uphold righteousness in adversity. It’s the backbone supporting all virtues, especially when tested.

While these virtues guide Christians, it’s God’s grace that provides salvation. Father Schmitz concluded by reminding believers that while they may stumble in their journey, they always have the opportunity and divine support to begin anew.