A well-known priest on social media responds to viral TikToks about God and Bible interpretations.

Despite making a significant effort to limit his social media use during Lent by deleting the app on his phone, Father Mike Schmitz believes social media has immense worth.

The Catholic priest and host of Ascension Press’ ‘Bible in a Year’ podcast, who began his career in the digital space in 2007 by recording homilies, expressed his amazement at the age we live in, where we have access to tools that allow us to help people we would never meet in person.

He added, "That's a big piece of the impetus behind this. There's something to be said, and there's good news to be shared," on Thursday, as the Lenten season began.

The Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries in the Diocese of Duluth, Minnesota, shared a story of a high schooler who rediscovered the Bible during the pandemic.

No, not in church; on TikTok of all places.

"Her TikTok's For You Page displayed scripture, people praying, and she began praying and reading the Bible. This strengthened and deepened her faith, as she was raised Catholic but only prayed occasionally. However, TikTok's guidance and messages provided her with the strength and faith she needed during the COVID pandemic."

Father Mike Schmitz received a message from a young woman stating that she began praying as a result of TikTok's recommendation.

Social media has inspired many people, including her, with faith-driven content on "For You" pages.

The 'Gen Z Bible Stories' has gained popularity for its fresh perspectives on religious texts that some find appealing.

The TikTok page, which skillfully incorporates current Gen Z slang to make old content more appealing to the younger generation, is gaining popularity with its trending videos and positive response videos.

The Annunciation," a significant event in Christianity, is described in Gen Z Bible Stories' most popular TikTok video as Mary being a "pick-me girl for God" who was "simping" for him in prayer when the angel Gabriel appeared to her and said, "You've passed God's vibe check, and he wants you to be the mother of the main character, the son of the top G.

The TikTok video featuring a Bible story has sparked a generational debate, with many commenters praising the creator's interpretation of Luke 1:26-38. The video received 4.4 million views and over half a million "likes," with many commenters praising the creator's take on the passage. The video features a reinterpretation of the passage, with Mary saying, "how can this be when I promised him my body count will always be 0?" to which Jesus responds, "this ain't about cuffing season, for the Holy Spirit will live rent-free in you. So, she said ‘bet,’ and Gabriel left her to read." The video has sparked a debate about the interpretation of the passage and the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Many people have returned to church because of this.

Hearing that you're not alone through social media can be validating, even though it can also be destructive. It has the potential to unite people.

The priest stated that while it's not desirable to be in an echo chamber, it's comforting to know that one is not alone on social media.

The priest's influence on social media appears to be boundless, as his "Bible in a Year" podcast has been a top hit on Apple Podcasts since its launch in 2021. With millions of views and thousands of people sharing and reposting his content on various social media platforms, it's clear that the priest's impact is widespread.

The podcast host, who is well-known and popular, also commented on a page called "Gen Z Bible Stories," describing the videos as "funny."

"I have encountered this phenomenon multiple times and found it amusing every time I shared it," he stated. "There is something about humor. We have always had accurate and inaccurate translations of the Bible. No one takes the translation of the Gen Z Bible Stories seriously as the sole authority for the Bible, but rather as an interesting retelling of a Bible story. And that's great," he added. "I don't believe that it is blasphemous at its core or in its actions. It is aware of its purpose and is not attempting to deceive itself," he continued.

Lent is a time of sacrifice and reflection for many, including Father Mike Schmitz, who shared his own Lenten sacrifice with Planet Chronicle Digital.

Historically, Lent is a time of purification and enlightenment for those preparing for baptism or church reception. It's a journey of self-discovery and growth, asking God to reveal areas in our hearts and lives that need change and enlightenment.

The priest posited that prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are all about seeking enlightenment and growing closer to God. It's about asking, "What in my life is keeping me from you, God? What needs to be changed, and how can I improve my relationship with you?"

Social media is the distraction that Father Mike Schmitz aims to minimize or eliminate during Lent, believing that a Lenten sacrifice should help us get closer to God.

"During Lent, I often attempt to eliminate something that has become an obstacle in my life. For instance, social media on my phone can be a distraction. If it hinders my growth closer to the Lord, I want to eliminate it. Although it's not extrinsic, I view it as an intrinsic thing that comes from within."

According to the priest, it's not just about giving ourselves more time for God, but also about giving God a part of ourselves.

"Perhaps I am engaging in this behavior because I recognize that I require it myself. However, through this action, I am conveying my hope that you recognize the divine presence and that it holds significance for you, which is a significant act of faith."

He continued, stating that the enigmatic "mystery of faith" may be resolved through the understanding that God is equally concerned with all of our intricacies.

"By performing small acts of faith, hope, and love, we can show our devotion to God and demonstrate our commitment to His teachings. These actions, such as prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, are not just self-improvement efforts but also expressions of our love for God and others. Therefore, it is important to approach these practices with a balanced perspective, recognizing that they are both acts of faith and love."

Mark Wahlberg and Jonathan Roumie have joined forces with Father Mike Schmitz for "Pray 40," a Lenten challenge on the Hallow app. Each Sunday during Lent, Father Schmitz will release an inspiring homily.