Day 298: The Gift of Life (2024)
For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Oct 24, 2024•24 min
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
In The Bible in a Year podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz walks you through the entire Bible in 365 episodes, providing commentary, reflection, and prayer along the way.
Unlike any other Bible podcast, Ascension’s Bible in a Year podcast follows a reading plan inspired by The Great Adventure Bible Timeline, a ground-breaking approach to understanding salvation history developed by renowned Catholic Bible scholar Jeff Cavins. For each period in the timeline, Jeff will join Fr. Mike for a special episode that will help you understand the context of each reading.
With this podcast, you won’t just read the Bible in a year … you’ll finally understand how all the pieces of the Bible fit together to tell an amazing story that continues in your life today!
Listen and…
Read the ENTIRE Bible
Feel more confident about your understanding of Scripture
Experience the transformative power of God’s Word in your daily life
Start seeing the world through the lens of Scripture
Each 20-25 minute episode includes:
Two to three scripture readings
A reflection from Fr. Mike Schmitz
A guided prayer to help you hear God’s voice in his Word
The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Episodes
Day 297: Using Good Things for Evil (2024)
As we read from Proverbs and Sirach, Fr. Mike points out how everything God has made is good, but we can use those things for evil ends. We also reach the conclusion of 1 Maccabees today. The readings are 1 Maccabees 16, Sirach 38-39, and Proverbs 23:29-35. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Oct 23, 2024•21 min
Day 296: Know Your Heart (2024)
As we begin to wrap up 1 Maccabees, Fr. Mike directs our attention to how 2 Maccabees will tell the same story in a different way. In Sirach, we are encouraged to know our own hearts, so that we can know our strengths, weaknesses, and where we might need healing. The readings are 1 Maccabees 15, Sirach 36-37, and Proverbs 23:26-28. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental di...
Oct 22, 2024•20 min
Day 295: Israel's Expectations (2024)
Fr. Mike mirrors the story of 1 Maccabees and Israel’s expectations of continued success onto our own lives, emphasizing that God’s marvelous plan exceeds our expectations and what we think should happen next in our lives. He invites us to worship and give to the Lord with freedom and generosity in response to God’s sacrificial love for us. Today’s readings are 1 Maccabees 14, Sirach 34-35, and Proverbs 23:22-25. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: ...
Oct 21, 2024•21 min
Day 294: Judea Gains Independence (2024)
In our reading of 1 Maccabees today, Fr. Mike highlights the the establishment of the new independent sovereign nation of Israel in the land of Judah. We learn how Simon takes command and enforces the law all around the land. Fr. Mike reminds us that even today, Christians are governed by Jesus himself and ultimately to belong to him. Today's readings are 1 Maccabees 13, Sirach 32-33, and Proverbs 23:17-21. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bi...
Oct 20, 2024•21 min
Day 293: Discipline Grounded in Love (2024)
Fr. Mike focuses on the theme of disciplining children, reflected in our readings from Sirach and Proverbs today. He clarifies that there is a crucial difference between discipline and destruction, and emphasizes that disciplining children should always be grounded in love and oriented towards their success in the future. Today's readings 1 Maccabees 12, Sirach 30-31, and Proverbs 23:13-16. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adul...
Oct 19, 2024•25 min
Day 292: The Power of Words (2024)
As we continue our journey in 1 Maccabees, Fr. Mike explains that this book of the Bible is unlike others because it narrates stories and events without providing any interpretation. In Sirach, Fr. Mike stresses the teaching on the power of our words and the gravity of gossip and slander. Today's readings are 1 Maccabees 11, Sirach 28-29, and Proverbs 23:9-12. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitab...
Oct 18, 2024•26 min
Day 291: The Rise of King Alexander (2024)
Fr. Mike breaks down the dramatic events from our reading of 1 Maccabees today, including; Jonathan's new role as high priest, Demetrius' defeat in battle, and King Alexander Epiphanes formidable alliance with Egypt formed by marrying Cleopatra. In Sirach, Fr. Mike reminds us that the good qualities wives are called to possess are also applicable to husbands. Today we read 1 Maccabees 10, Sirach 26-27, and Proverbs 23:5-8. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Ple...
Oct 17, 2024•27 min
Day 290: Judas Maccabeus Dies (2024)
Fr. Mike guides us through Judas Maccabeus' last battle, his death, and his succession. We learn that part of Judas and Jonathan's victory involved fighting fellow Jews living in the land who were not living according to God's laws. Fr. Mike points out that when the enemy is in the inside, it is especially heartbreaking. Today's readings are 1 Maccabees 9, Sirach 24-25, and Proverbs 23:1-4. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adul...
Oct 16, 2024•24 min
Day 289: Wise Influences (2024)
Fr. Mike contextualizes our readings from 1 Maccabees today which covers the beginning of Roman rule over the Jewish people. Additionally, he emphasizes the wisdom from Sirach about surrounding ourselves with influences that lead us closer to God and help us grow in holiness. Today’s readings are 1 Maccabees 8, Sirach 22-23, and Proverbs 22:26-29. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for childr...
Oct 15, 2024•25 min
Day 288: Battling Against Gossip (2024)
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, and goodness. He emphasizes that we must ask the Lord for his wisdom to guide us as we interact with the people around us, just like the Jews prayed before battle. Today’s readings are 1 Maccabees 7, Sirach 19-21, and Proverbs 22:22-25. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult theme...
Oct 14, 2024•24 min
Day 287: Eleazar's Sacrifice (2024)
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 children and family members who don’t follow the Lord can bring about, and uses wisdom from Sirach to address this prevalent struggle. Today’s readings are 1 Maccabees 6, Sirach 16-18, and Proverbs 22:17-21. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for child...
Oct 13, 2024•28 min
Day 286: The Battle to Choose God (2024)
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 God and worship him is worth fighting for. He also discusses the importance of spending time with virtuous people to acquire their positive qualities and the need to seek good rather than evil to attain the riches of heaven. Today’s readings are from 1 Maccabees 5, Sirach 13-15, and Proverbs 22:13-16. For the complete reading plan, visit ascension...
Oct 12, 2024•27 min
Day 285: Story of Hanukkah (2024)
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 that chasing fame and glory in this world are not worth our time, because they will all fade away after we are gone. The readings are 1 Maccabees 4, Sirach 10-12, and Proverbs 22:9-12. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental ...
Oct 11, 2024•28 min
Day 284: Near Occasion of Sin (2024)
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 wisdom. He also highlights a piece from Sirach that encourages us to avoid "deserted places"—calling us not only to stay away from sin, but to stay away from what leads us to sin. The readings are 1 Maccabees 3, Sirach 7-9, and Proverbs 22:5-8. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adu...
Oct 10, 2024•27 min
Day 283: Mattathias Attacks (2024)
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 reading of Sirach, Fr. Mike reminds us to remember the needs of the poor, and to be careful when forming friendships. Today's readings are 1 Maccabees 2, Sirach 4-6, and Proverbs 22:1-4. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental dis...
Oct 09, 2024•26 min
Introduction to the Maccabean Revolt (with Jeff Cavins) (2024)
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 oppression of the Jews under Antiochus Epiphanes, and ends with Herodian rule of the Holy Land. Jeff and Fr. Mike walk us through the key events of this period, highlighting the zealous response of the Maccabean family, the celebration of Hanukkah, and the heroic martyrdom of Jews who would not betray their religious identity in the midst of persec...
Oct 08, 2024•32 min
Day 282: Antiochus Desecrates the Temple (2024)
For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.
Oct 08, 2024•32 min
Day 281: Good and Evil (2024)
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 commandments and marrying foreign wives. Fr. Mike connects this to our lives, as we too often confuse God’s unending love for us to mean that he always wants what we want.Today’s readings are Nehemiah 13, Malachi 1-4, and Proverbs 21: 25-28. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes tha...
Oct 07, 2024•27 min
Day 280: The People of the Covenant (2024)
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 of salvation.Fr. Mike explains how, in our lives, we don’t always know how God is going to show up, but we know that he will be faithful. Today’s readings are Nehemiah 12, Esther 9-11, and Proverbs 21:21-24. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable fo...
Oct 06, 2024•23 min
Day 279: Blessings and Burdens (2024)
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 those who were not. He explains the ancestral gifts that each tribe of Israel received and applies this concept to the vices and virtues of our families, as well as our freedom to adopt or reject them. Today we read from Nehemiah 11, Esther 8, 16, and Proverbs 21:17-20. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: Th...
Oct 05, 2024•20 min
Day 278: Power in Weakness (2024)
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 encounters with God that inspire us to follow him simply because he has called us. He also offers insight on how God used the physical weakness of Esther to move the king’s heart to gentleness. Today’s readings are Nehemiah 10, Esther 15, 6-7, and Proverbs 21:13-16. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bib...
Oct 04, 2024•21 min
Day 277: Such a Time as This (2024)
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. Mike points out that Esther was perfectly positioned to fulfill God's will. We too, can examine our lives and realize that there are places God has brought us, "for such a time as this". The readings are Nehemiah 9, Esther 4 and 14, and Proverbs 21:9-12. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible con...
Oct 03, 2024•28 min
Day 276: Haman's Plan (2024)
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 them. In our reading of Esther, we have the beginning of the crisis that will unfold throughout the book as Haman, backed by the king, seeks to destroy the Jews. Today’s readings are Nehemiah 8, Esther 3 and 13, and Proverbs 21:5-8. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes tha...
Oct 02, 2024•18 min
Day 275: Esther Becomes Queen (2024)
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 the events that lead to Esther being chosen as queen and the goodness she will bring even in the midst of a broken system. Today’s readings are Nehemiah 6-7, Esther 1-2, and Proverbs 21:1-4. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - par...
Oct 01, 2024•27 min
Day 274: Perseverance in Opposition (2024)
"Fr. Mike continues to describe Nehemiah’s process of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem and encountering a variety of challenges in his calling. He explains that in doing God's work, we will often face internal or external opposition which we must meet with prayer and perseverance, trusting God entirely. Today’s readings are Nehemiah 4-5, Esther 11-12, and Proverbs 20:27-30." For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that ma...
Sep 30, 2024•21 min
Day 273: The Lord's Work (2024)
"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 participation in God’s Kingdom on earth and encourages us to remember our service to God and to others, keeping our focus on serving and loving in the realm of our influence. Today’s readings are Nehemiah 3, Zechariah 14, and Proverbs 20:23-26." For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adul...
Sep 29, 2024•23 min
Day 272: The Call of Nehemiah (2024)
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 because he asks. He also encourages us to pray for our enemies and explains the need to refrain from vengeance in our interactions with others, especially when we are provoked by their actions. Today’s readings are Nehemiah 1-2, Zechariah 12-13, and Proverbs 20:20-22. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The B...
Sep 28, 2024•27 min
Day 271: Israel's Foreign Wives (2024)
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 instruction and how Ezra reacted when he discovered that many prominent Israelites had not obeyed it. He also identifies the prophecies of Palm Sunday and the thirty pieces of silver found in Zechariah. Today’s readings are Ezra 9-10, Zechariah 9-11, and Proverbs 20:16-19. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The ...
Sep 27, 2024•29 min
Day 270: God's Favor with Ezra (2024)
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 also learn about hypocritical fasting, and how our sacrifices should remind us that everything ultimately belongs to God at all times. Today's readings are Ezra 7-8, Zechariah 7-8, and Proverbs 20:12-15. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for chil...
Sep 26, 2024•27 min
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