If You’re Too Busy, You’re in Danger of This Grave Mistake (w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz)

Summary

In this reflective talk, Father Mike Schmidz explores the profound insight of St. John of the Cross that at the end of our lives, we will be judged on love alone. Drawing on Jesus’ teachings and a parable from Luke’s Gospel, he highlights the challenge of truly loving God and others amidst the busyness of life. He emphasizes the virtue of interruptibility—being willing to let God or others take priority over our plans. By prioritizing what is most important, we open ourselves to genuine love, reminding viewers that love requires conscious attention, presence, and the courage to be interrupted for the greater good.

Takeaways

• 💡 The quote 'In the twilight of our lives, we will be judged on love alone' emphasizes that the ultimate measure of a person's life is how well they loved.
• 📖 Jesus’ two greatest commandments—love God fully and love your neighbor as yourself—summarize the central standard by which life is evaluated.
• ⏳ Many people genuinely want to love God and others, but their lives are often so full and busy that love becomes difficult to practice.
• 🏡 In the Gospel parable of the great banquet, three invited guests decline because of responsibilities involving a field, oxen, and a new marriage.
• ✔️ These guests do not offer bad excuses; they give reasonable and even good reasons for declining the invitation.
• ⚠️ The deeper issue in the parable is not wrongdoing but being too occupied with good things to accept something greater.
• 🗓️ Having a full schedule—even with meaningful commitments—can unintentionally crowd out opportunities to love.
• 🔔 A key measure of love may be 'interruptibility': the willingness to pause plans when something more important arises.
• 🙏 True love for God includes giving Him permission to interrupt our plans and priorities when He calls.
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Parents often face moments where a child seeks attention, and choosing the schedule over the child can later reveal misplaced priorities.
• 🎯 Loving well requires regularly asking what is most important, not just what is urgent or already planned.
• ❤️ Being open to interruption by God or by people in genuine need is an important practical expression of love.

Q & A

What is the key quote from St. John of the Cross mentioned in the video?

The quote is: 'In the twilight of our lives, we will be judged on love alone.' It emphasizes that love is the ultimate measure of our lives.

How does Father Mike Schmidz connect this quote to Jesus' teachings?

He connects it to Jesus' two great commandments: to love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. The quote reinforces that at the end of life, our actions of love reflect these commandments.

What challenge does Father Mike identify in practicing love?

He notes that life is often full—even with good things—which can make it difficult to love God and others fully. Busy schedules and responsibilities can unintentionally crowd out the most important expressions of love.

What parable from Luke's Gospel does Father Mike discuss, and why?

He discusses the parable of the great banquet, where three people refuse an invitation due to their own commitments (field, oxen, wife). It illustrates how people often prioritize good things over the greatest things, highlighting the challenge of being fully available for love.

What does Father Mike suggest might be a metric to measure love?

He suggests that 'interruptibility'—the willingness to be interrupted by God or by what is most important—might be a practical measure of love in our daily lives.

Why is interruptibility considered a virtue in this context?

Because it requires assessing priorities and being willing to pause less important activities to respond to the most important, reflecting a love that is active, intentional, and responsive.

How does Father Mike illustrate interruptibility with a parenting example?

He mentions that parents often have plans, but when a child seeks attention, choosing to respond—even briefly—shows that the child is more important than the schedule, highlighting practical love in action.

Does Father Mike suggest that all commitments are bad if they interfere with love?

No, he acknowledges that responsibilities and good things in life are important. The point is to distinguish between what is most important and what can be secondary, so that love is not unintentionally crowded out.

What question does Father Mike encourage viewers to ask themselves daily?

He encourages asking: 'Am I interruptible? Do God and those who need me have permission to interrupt my schedule?' This helps assess whether love is genuinely prioritized.

What is the ultimate lesson Father Mike wants to convey about love?

The ultimate lesson is that at the end of life, we are judged on love alone. Practically, this means cultivating a life that prioritizes the most important relationships and purposes, and being willing to respond to them above all else.

How can the concept of interruptibility help improve one’s spiritual life?

Interruptibility encourages mindfulness about priorities, active responsiveness to God and others, and a focus on what truly matters, thereby deepening the practice of love in both small and significant daily actions.

Why does Father Mike focus on good things that might 'choke out' love?

Because even positive commitments—like work, family, or personal projects—can compete for our time and attention. Recognizing this helps ensure that love remains central rather than being inadvertently sidelined.