The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Episodes
Day 288: Battling Against Gossip (2025)
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike explains the importance of wisdom in our everyday lives when we face temptations to gossip, encouraging us in the battle for virtue, wisdom, ...
Day 287: Eleazar's Sacrifice (2025)
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike illustrates the story of Eleazar and the abandonment of peace terms between the Jews and the Greeks. He also recognizes the pain that childre...
Day 286: The Battle to Choose God (2025)
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike walks us through the current battles of Judas Maccabeus and the Israelite people, emphasizing that while war is violent, freedom to belong to...
Day 285: Story of Hanukkah (2025)
12 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In today's reading from 1 Maccabees, we hear about the victory of Judas Maccabeus, which is also the story of Hanukkah. In Sirach, Fr. Mike points out...
Day 284: Near Occasion of Sin (2025)
11 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike points out how advice from books like Proverbs and Sirach may not apply perfectly to every situation, but are meant to help guide us towards ...
Day 283: Mattathias Attacks (2025)
10 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike clarifies the meaning behind Mattathias' zealous attack against the Greeks and his fellow Jews who were not obeying God's laws. From our read...
Day 282: Antiochus Desecrates the Temple (2025)
09 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As we begin reading the first book of Maccabees today, Fr. Mike highlights the severe persecution against the Jews and the desecration of the Temple l...
Introduction to the Maccabean Revolt (with Jeff Cavins) - 2025
09 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Maccabean Revolt period! Jeff Cavins joins Fr. Mike to introduce the tenth biblical period in our journey, which begins with the Greek ...
Day 281: Good and Evil (2025)
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike summarizes the final moments of the book of Nehemiah, when Nehemiah returns to find the people of Israel being unfaithful to God’s commandm...
Day 280: The People of the Covenant (2025)
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike concludes the book of Esther and the book of Nehemiah by reflecting on the journey and resilience of the Jewish people thus far in the story ...
Day 279: Blessings and Burdens (2025)
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike offers a brief recap of today’s chapter from Nehemiah, identifying the difference between those who were able to live in Jerusalem and thos...
Day 278: Power in Weakness (2025)
05 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike walks us through the signing of the covenant in Nehemiah 10 and relates Israel’s collective decision to belong to God to our personal encou...
Day 277: Such a Time as This (2025)
04 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today's readings remind us that all good things come from God, and he calls us to specific places and times for a reason. In the book of Esther, Fr. M...
Day 276: Haman's Plan (2025)
03 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As Fr. Mike reads from Nehemiah today, we hear about how the hearts of the people of Israel were moved as Ezra reads the book of the law of Moses to t...
Day 275: Esther Becomes Queen (2025)
02 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike continues reading from the book of Nehemiah as we read of the many attempts to prevent Nehemiah from doing the great work of God. We also see...
Day 274: Perseverance in Opposition (2025)
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike continues to describe Nehemiah’s process of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem and encountering a variety of challenges in his calling. He ex...
Day 273: The Lord's Work (2025)
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike continues discussing the call of Nehemiah and how we should approach the work the Lord calls us to do. He explains why all work is divine par...
Day 272: The Call of Nehemiah (2025)
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike introduces the book of Nehemiah and takes us through Nehemiah’s exemplary response to the call of God as he does what God asks simply becau...
Day 271: Israel's Foreign Wives (2025)
28 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike discusses God’s instruction to the people of Israel not to marry women from foreign lands. He explains why God would provide this instructi...
Day 270: God's Favor with Ezra (2025)
27 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike explains how God’s favor was with Ezra because he set his heart to study God's laws, to obey his laws, and to teach his laws to others. We...
Day 269: The Day of Small Things (2025)
26 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike encourages us not to be discouraged about the small things happening in our lives, because just as we see through Zechariah's visions, God ta...
Day 268: Rebuilding the Temple (2025)
25 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike continues to take us through the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, and the importance of moving on from the past to see what God is doin...
Day 267: Indifference and Apathy (2025)
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike introduces us to the books of Ezra and Haggai, explaining the Israelites' return to the promised land. He also warns us against apathy and in...
Introduction to the Return (with Jeff Cavins) - 2025
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Return period! Jeff Cavins joins Fr. Mike to introduce the ninth biblical period, which covers the Israelites' return to Jerusalem, the...
Day 266: Son of the Father (2025)
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As we finish the Gospel of Matthew, Fr. Mike takes us through Christ's passion, explaining the meaning of "Barabbas", the importance of saints, and te...
Day 265: Sins of Omission (2025)
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike explains sins of omission, and how these are some of the biggest deciding factors of who goes to heaven and who goes to hell: whether or not ...
Day 264: Preaching Without Practice (2025)
21 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike continues to explain the parables Christ recites in Jerusalem, specifically focusing on the dangers of preaching God's Word without practicin...
Day 263: The Father's Generosity (2025)
20 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike takes us through various parables in Matthew such as the parable of the lost sheep, the merciful servant, and the laborers in the vineyard. H...
Day 262: Miracle Worker (2025)
19 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As we read about the many miracles Jesus performs in today's readings from Matthew, Fr. Mike asserts the objective reality of those miracles and reinf...
Day 261: Ornate Souls (2025)
18 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike explains the many parables we hear today in Matthew, including the return of the unclean spirit, and the danger of ornate souls. He emphasize...
Day 260: Carrying the Cross (2025)
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike reinforces Jesus' divinity as we read about how Jesus heals people physically, mentally, and spiritually and frees them from the enemy's king...
Day 259: The Sermon on the Mount (2025)
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike reads the Sermon on the Mount and explains how Jesus' teachings powerfully fulfill the old testament law, and identify the broken human heart...
Day 258: The Kingdom Is Here (2025)
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike introduces us to the Gospel of Matthew, including his genealogy, nativity, and the first days of his ministry. He pulls it all together to sh...
Messianic Checkpoint: The Gospel of Matthew (with Jeff Cavins) - 2025
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the third Messianic Checkpoint! Jeff Cavins joins Fr. Mike to introduce the Gospel of Matthew and explain what makes this gospel unique, su...
Day 257: Choose to Love (2025)
14 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike finishes the book of Jeremiah and highlights the final moment of hope at the conclusion. We also read the book of Obadiah and Fr. Mike chall...
Day 256: Hard Seasons (2025)
13 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike encourages us to never stop talking to God, even in the hardest seasons of our lives. Much like yesterday's readings, we're seeing a lot of p...
Day 255: God Is Good (2025)
12 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike guides us through another chapter of Jeremiah and connects it to the sorrow and pain we hear in Lamentations. He reminds us that, even with s...
Day 254: Judgment of Nations (2025)
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike continues reading from the book of Jeremiah and emphasizes God’s judgment against the nations surrounding Israel. Fr. Mike also invites us ...
Day 253: Lamentations of Jeremiah (2025)
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As Fr. Mike begins the book of Lamentations, we read about Jeremiah’s sorrow as he witnesses the siege and suffering of Jerusalem. In the book of Je...
Day 252: Queen of Heaven (2025)
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike points out Israel's continual disbelief in the prophet Jeremiah, and also explains who the queen of heaven refers to. We also conclude the bo...
Day 251: Judith and Holofernes (2025)
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In our reading of Jeremiah today, Fr. Mike highlights Ishmael’s insurrection against Gedaliah and Jeremiah’s response. We also read about the defe...
Day 250: Final Wave of Exile (2025)
07 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike expands on our reading today from Proverbs about the need to guard our speech toward one another. In Jeremiah, we see the final wave of destr...
Day 249: Prayer of Judith (2025)
06 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike highlights the wisdom and faith of Judith, heroine of the Old Testament, and shows us how her prayer in not just a prayer of intercession, bu...
Day 248: Cut to the Heart (2025)
05 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike points out how, like King Jehoiakim, we too can dismiss God's teachings instead of letting them cut into our hearts. The readings are Jeremia...
Day 247: True Repentance (2025)
04 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike points out the difference between the insincere repentance of King Zedekiah and the people in Jerusalem, and the true repentance of the peopl...
Day 246: Rejoice in Doing Good (2025)
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In today's reading from Jeremiah, Fr. Mike points out how God rejoices in doing us good, and wants to pour out his grace and mercy upon us. As we begi...
Day 245: The Faithfulness of Daniel (2025)
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike takes us through the last chapter of Daniel and explains how Daniel models for us on how to live in exile and still be faithful to the Lord. ...
Day 244: Susanna's Righteousness (2025)
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike reflects on the story of Susanna's righteousness in the book of Daniel. While celebrating Susanna's virtue, Daniel's wisdom, and God's faithf...
Day 243: The Lord's Plans (2025)
31 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike highlights verse 11 from Jeremiah 29: "I know the plans I have for you...plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope....
Day 242: The Role of King Nebuchadnezzar (2025)
30 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike explains why God asks his people to surrender to King Nebuchadnezzar even though it seems contradicting. We learn that God can use evil circu...
Day 241: Daniel and the Den of Lions (2025)
29 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As we read the epic story of Daniel in the den of lions, Fr. Mike points out Daniel's valor and faithfulness in the midst of his powerless. We also le...
Day 240: Remaining Humble (2025)
28 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike touches on Proverbs 16:3, which is about giving everything in our lives to the service of the Lord. He also emphasizes how important it is to...
Day 239: Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (2025)
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike shares one of his favorite Bible verses, and guides us through the story of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah as they are thrown into the fiery ...
Day 238: Fall of Jerusalem (2025)
26 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike walks us through the fall of Jerusalem, and the intense lament of Jeremiah as he watches the people of Israel fall into captivity. He also in...
Day 237: Water from the Temple (2025)
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike guides us through the last two chapters of Ezekiel, explaining the biblical significance of the water flowing from the right side of the temp...
Day 236: Rich in Love (2025)
24 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike focuses on the concept of being rich in love instead of rich in wealth today, as we read about the heart of a mother and father in our verse ...
Day 235: Lying Prophets (2025)
23 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike focuses on the prophet Jeremiah’s continued sorrow and explains how lying prophets bring forth destruction. He invites us to examine what l...
Day 234: Jeremiah Complains (2025)
22 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike teaches us about recognizing our limitations especially when trying to compete with God. We also see how the Lord listens to Jeremiah’s com...
Day 233: Correct me, O Lord (2025)
21 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike shows us from our reading of Jeremiah that when we give our hearts and minds over to idols we become foolish. The way of man is not in himsel...
Day 232: Glory in Knowing God (2025)
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike reflects on Jeremiah’s sorrow for the people of Israel while reminding us that the one thing we ought to find glory in, is in understandin...
Day 231: The Valley of Dry Bones (2025)
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike explains the significance behind the mention of bones in Jeremiah and Ezekiel. In Jeremiah, we learn that the bones of God's people are scat...
Day 230: A New Heart (2025)
18 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Reflecting on the stubbornness of the Israelites' hearts from today's readings, Fr. Mike teaches us that we cannot always trust our imperfect hearts, ...
Day 229: Shepherds of Israel (2025)
17 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike explains the beautiful connections between all of our readings today. He emphasizes how good shepherds are willing to face the truth, and als...
Day 228: The Watchman's Duty (2025)
16 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike expands on Ezekiel 33 and emphasizes that the role of a prophet, is to be God's watchman and speak whatever it is God wants to be spoken. He...
Day 227: The Towering Cedar
15 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike highlights the people of Israel's flaw in trusting in the strength and power of Egypt, not realizing that although Egypt is like a towering c...
Day 226: Unfaithful Israel (2025)
14 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In our reading of Proverbs 14, Fr. Mike reinforces that freedom is not the same thing as license, true freedom is the power to do what we ought. Fr. M...
Day 225: Our Will Versus God's Will (2025)
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike reviews one of the most powerful verses in Proverbs, dealing with personal discernment and wanting to follow our own will instead of God's. H...
Day 224: The Weeping Prophet (2025)
12 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike introduces us to the prophet Jeremiah, who is also known as the Prophet of Doom and the Weeping Prophet. He explains what makes Jeremiah diff...
Day 223: Responding Well (2025)
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike takes us through the last chapter of Isaiah by explaining how our emotions can sometimes get in the way of us responding well to those around...
Day 222: Idolatry and Adultery (2025)
10 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike explains the relationship between idolatry and adultery, and how one can easily lead to another, especially in our relationship with God. He ...
Day 221: Walking with Wise Men (2025)
09 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike expands on the passage we read in Proverbs, and emphasizes how important it is to surround ourselves with people who are striving towards hol...
Day 220: Prophecy Fulfilled (2025)
08 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike points out that the prophecy from Isaiah 61 is fulfilled by Jesus (as described in Luke 4). In Ezekiel, Fr. Mike draws our attention to the i...
Day 219: Separation from God (2025)
07 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike points out that separation from God is not due to a lack of power or love on God's part, but is a consequence of our willful refusal to follo...
Day 218: Each Will Be Judged (2025)
06 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike reflects on some of the ways that people turn away from God, including: worshipping idols, fasting for selfish reasons, and not honoring the ...
Day 217: The Everlasting Covenant (2025)
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike highlights the rich text in Isaiah 55 and 56 which reveals that the house of the Lord will not only be for the chosen people, but for all peo...
Day 216: The Suffering Servant (2025)
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike marvels at the beauty of Isaiah 53, which reveals that Jesus is the Lord's suffering servant and also zeroes in on Ezekiel 15, which reminds ...
Day 215: False Prophets (2025)
03 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike focuses on Ezekiel's warnings about false prophets misleading the people of Israel, and challenges us to reflect whether we choose to listen ...
Day 214: The Hidden Glory of God (2025)
02 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike reflects on how Isaiah's prophecies in chapters 49-50 point to the immediate reality of God's promise of redemption for Israel, as well as to...
Day 213: The Redeemer (2025)
01 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike touches upon the prophecy of judgment against Babylon and Israel, and how God still promises to be Israel's redeemer despite their disobedien...
BONUS: If You Feel Like Giving Up (with Jeff Cavins) - 2025
01 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As we continue through this year-long journey, Fr. Mike and Jeff Cavins offer some words of encouragement for those who might be struggling. No matter...
Day 212: God's Instrument (2025)
31 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike highlights the works of King Cyrus, who we met yesterday, and how he is able to contribute to the will of God without actually knowing him. C...
Day 211: Called by Name (2025)
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike emphasizes our title as children of God as we read about the tragedy of the Babylonian exile. Even in our lowest moments, God wants us to kno...
Day 210: Speaking God's Word (2025)
29 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike compares the messages of Isaiah and Ezekiel, one coming from a pre-exile time and the other from a post-exile time. Even though they are comi...
Day 209: God Comforts His People (2025)
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike brings us into the book of Consolation as we continue through Isaiah, and learn about how God never fails to comfort his people, even in the ...
Day 208: The Futility of Idols (2025)
27 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike explains the three ways the people are tempted to turn away from God while in exile: by not worshipping God the way He has asked, by worshipp...
Day 207: The Lord Will Come (2025)
26 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike points out the passages that highlight the coming of God, and asks us to reflect on whether our response is hope and excitement, or fear and ...
Day 206: The Book of Baruch (2025)
25 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike explains the context of the book of Baruch, he also highlights Isaiah's warning against complacency and how God's justice applies to everyone...
Day 205: Promise to Zion (2025)
24 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike breaks down God's incredible promise of redemption to Zion and reminds us that God always wants to fight for us, so that our shame may be tu...
Day 204: Zephaniah's Warnings (2025)
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As we begin reading the Book of Zephaniah, Fr. Mike draws our attention to the first five accusations Zephaniah declares against the people of Judah: ...
Day 203: Rejoice in the Lord (2025)
22 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike points out God's remarkable promise of deliverance to Israel even in the midst of their captivity and apparent hopelessness. Even when we don...
Day 202: God's Judgment (2025)
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As we continue journeying through the prophets, Fr. Mike helps us understand the oracle concerning Tyre and points out that God's judgment will always...
Day 201: Keys to the Kingdom (2025)
20 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike focuses on Isaiah 22 today and explains how the role of the pope in the Catholic Church goes all the way back to this important chapter in Is...
Day 200: Egypt, Assyria, and Israel (2025)
19 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike celebrates Day 200 of our journey by highlighting the relationship between Egypt, Assyria, and Israel according to the Lord's plan. We have a...
Day 199: Times for War (2025)
18 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike explains why Joel would say there are certain times for war, even within God's plan. In a broken world, we are sometimes called to fight the ...
Day 198: The Day of the Lord (2025)
17 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike introduces us to the prophet Joel and the unique timing of his ministry in the midst of tragedy. He also touches on the prophecy concerning L...
Day 197: Woe and Consolation (2025)
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike reveals yet another prophetic message that points towards the coming of Christ, explaining why the Book of Isaiah is often called the Book of...
Day 196: The Destruction of Israel (2025)
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike talks about the destruction of Israel and explains how Jesus becoming man fulfills this prophecy we hear in Isaiah. He also points out the im...
Day 195: Tobias and Sarah Pray (2025)
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike highlights the purity of Tobias and Sarah's love and the power of their prayer as a married couple. Today we read Isaiah 7-8, Tobit 7-9, and ...
Day 194: Holy Is the Lord (2025)
13 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike zeroes in on Isaiah 5-6 today. He emphasizes the literary masterpiece of the parable of the vineyard in Isaiah 5 and how it represents the st...
Day 193: The Book of Tobit (2025)
12 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fr. Mike focuses on the book of Tobit today and explains why this beautiful book is missing from non-Catholic Bibles. He dives into the history behind...