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.
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This episode delves into the profound message of 1 John, emphasizing that God is love and we are created for love, and clarifies the Catholic doctrine on mortal and venial sins. It then examines 1 Timothy, addressing warnings against false teachers, Paul's testimony of God's mercy, and instructions for church leadership and prayer. Father Mike also explains what St. Paul means by Christ being the "one mediator" between God and man, and the Church's foundational role as the bulwark of truth.
This bonus episode with Father Mike Schmitz provides essential guidance for undertaking the Bible in a Year journey, whether starting fresh or restarting. He explains the transformative power of engaging with scripture, detailing the Great Adventure Bible reading plan which keeps the narrative thread. Crucially, Fr. Mike advises on cultivating sustainable listening habits, stressing the importance of one's 'why' over perfect consistency, and offers practical tools like companions and journals. The episode also announces the new Spanish Bible in a Year podcast.
This episode delves into 1 John, focusing on God as light, confessing sins, and the call to love God and one another, contrasted with the dangers of loving the world and its desires, mirroring Eve's temptation and Christ's triumph. Father Mike also covers 2 Thessalonians, warning against deception regarding Christ's coming and condemning idleness within the community. The episode concludes with practical advice on fraternal correction and steadfast faith.
Father Mike delves into 2 Peter and 1 Thessalonians, emphasizing how baptism transforms us into God's beloved children, partakers of His divine nature. He addresses the concern of Christ's delayed return, explaining God's patience, and comforts listeners with the Christian hope for those who have died. The episode also highlights the need to live in holiness, abstain from immorality, and critically test all prophecies received.
In this special episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz and renowned Catholic Bible expert Jeff Cavins delve into the "Bible in a Year" podcast, explaining its foundation in The Great Adventure Bible Timeline, which presents scripture chronologically to reveal the overarching story of salvation. They share personal testimonies of how the Bible has shaped their lives, emphasizing its role in forming a Christian worldview and fostering a profound relationship with God. The discussion also highlights the podcast's unique structure, including "Messianic Checkpoints," and encourages listeners to engage actively with the text, leading to personal transformation and community formation.
Father Mike discusses how 1 Peter 3:15, urging readiness to defend faith, profoundly influenced his life. The episode delves into living righteously, suffering for Christ, and the saving power of baptism. Drawing from 1 Thessalonians, he highlights Paul's joy in the Thessalonians' faith and emphasizes sharing not just the gospel but our entire lives, especially through families and friendships, as the primary way to advance Christ's message.
Fr. Mike guides listeners through 1 Peter's powerful message on persevering in trials, trusting that suffering refines our love and faith, teaching us to love God for His own sake. The episode also concludes Colossians, highlighting St. Paul's call to uphold obligations to others in society, family, and work, emphasizing Christian identity as a royal priesthood and the importance of steadfast prayer and mutual belonging.
This episode explores the transformative power of Scripture, starting with James's wisdom on taming the tongue, resisting worldliness, and the role of sacraments in healing. Fr. Mike then delves into Colossians, highlighting Christ's preeminence and our unique invitation to share in His redemptive suffering. The episode also features a profound reflection on Proverbs' prayer for neither poverty nor riches, emphasizing self-distrust and absolute reliance on God.
Today's episode unpacks the letters of James and Philippians, focusing on the essential relationship between faith and good works, and the true meaning of religion through service. Fr. Mike also explores St. Paul's radical call to count all things as loss for the sake of knowing Christ, urging listeners to rejoice, pray, and fix their minds on what is pure and lovely, transforming lives through consistent exposure to God's word.
Day 349 concludes the Book of Acts with Paul's journey to Rome, showcasing his unwavering commitment to preach the gospel and serve others, even in imprisonment. Fr. Mike then dives into Philippians 1-2, emphasizing Paul's epistle of joy and the concept of holy indifference – accepting God's will with gratitude regardless of circumstances. The episode encourages listeners to emulate Christ's humility and live as lights in the world, always glorifying God the Father.
This episode covers Acts 27, detailing Paul's dangerous sea voyage to Rome, his warning about the storm, and the eventual shipwreck and miraculous survival. It then delves into Ephesians 4-6, outlining instructions for unity, putting off the old self, living a new Christian life, and understanding mutual submission within Christian households as a "race to serve." The episode concludes with a call to put on the whole armor of God for spiritual warfare and reflections on trusting God's will in difficult circumstances.
Father Mike delves into Acts 26, detailing Paul's trial and his remarkable use of his conversion story to witness to unbelievers like King Agrippa. The episode then explores Ephesians 1-3, highlighting themes of spiritual blessings, being made alive in Christ, and the breaking down of divisions to unite all in God's family. It concludes with wisdom from Proverbs and reflections on God as the source of all fatherhood and the profound gift of hope.
Today's readings include Acts 25, detailing Paul's trial before Festus and his appeal to Caesar, and the concluding chapters of Galatians (4-6). Fr. Mike highlights Paul's impassioned plea for the Galatians to embrace their freedom as sons of God and not revert to legalism. The episode contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruits of the Spirit, encouraging listeners to sow for eternal life rather than corruption, and concludes with a prayer for joy in affliction.
Day 345 explores Acts 24, where Felix, though convicted by Paul, remains unmoved, highlighting the need to act on belief. The episode then delves into St. Paul's letter to the Galatians (chapters 1-3), asserting Paul's apostolic authority and clarifying that salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ, not adherence to Jewish law. Father Mike stresses that through baptism, all are unified in Christ, becoming heirs to God's promises regardless of their background.
This episode explores Acts 23, recounting Paul's clever defense before the council, the plot against his life, and his miraculous rescue by his nephew. Fr. Mike then transitions to 2 Corinthians, where Paul reveals his "thorn in the flesh," a persistent struggle God chose not to remove. The reflection centers on understanding our own weaknesses as opportunities for God's power to be perfected through His sufficient grace.
Day 343 features Paul's defense in Acts 22, where he recounts his conversion and uses his Roman citizenship. Father Mike reflects on God using Paul's past for his ministry and how He does the same for us. The episode also explores 2 Corinthians 9-11, highlighting the importance of cheerful giving, disciplined thinking, and recognizing God's call as the ultimate ministry credential amidst sufferings.
Day 342 explores Paul's challenging journey to Jerusalem in Acts 21, highlighting the growing divide between Judaism and Christianity and Paul's steadfast defense. Fr. Mike delves into 2 Corinthians 6-8, explaining how godly grief leads to repentance and salvation, contrasting it with worldly grief. The episode also emphasizes imitating Christ's radical generosity, which is central to the Christian life, concluding with wisdom from Proverbs.
Day 341 explores Acts 20, 2 Corinthians 3-5, and Proverbs 28. Fr. Mike discusses Paul's unwavering commitment to the Gospel, even in suffering, and his deep affection for the communities he served. The episode emphasizes the greater splendor of the new covenant, finding spiritual strength amidst affliction, and living by faith for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.
In Day 340, Fr. Mike delves into Acts 19, focusing on Paul's ministry in Ephesus, where disciples receive the Holy Spirit, extraordinary miracles occur, and believers renounce magic. The episode also covers the riot sparked by Artemis worship and the powerful reality of demons acknowledging Jesus. Turning to 2 Corinthians 1-2, Fr. Mike unpacks Paul's heartfelt message of comfort in affliction and the importance of forgiveness, revealing Paul's deep love for the Corinthian community. Listeners are encouraged to embrace the Holy Spirit's power and remove harmful influences from their lives, trusting in God's ultimate value.
This episode explores Paul's impactful ministry in Corinth, where he meets Priscilla and Aquila, whose lives are radically transformed through Christ. They later demonstrate the importance of docility by accurately teaching Apollos, an eloquent but incomplete believer. Father Mike emphasizes the episode's core message: embracing courage, openness to correction, and living resolutely in love, echoing Christ's words to Paul.
Father Mike delves into Acts 17, detailing Paul's evangelism in Thessalonica, Beroia, and Athens, where he preaches to philosophers about the 'Unknown God' and the resurrection. The core of the episode centers on 1 Corinthians 15, asserting the indispensable truth of Christ's physical resurrection and its implications for Christian faith, showing how it defeats death. He encourages listeners to embrace a counter-cultural life, living with a hope that transforms grief, knowing that death's sting has been removed through Jesus.
In Day 337, Fr. Mike unpacks Acts 16, detailing Paul and Silas's trust in God during imprisonment, leading to an earthquake and the jailer's conversion. He then connects St. Paul's teaching on spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 14 with the foundational "love chapter," 1 Corinthians 13, emphasizing that love gives purpose to all gifts. The episode concludes with reflections on these readings, underscoring the reality of spiritual warfare and the supreme importance of love for building up the Church.
This episode delves into Acts 15, detailing the Council of Jerusalem's pivotal decision regarding circumcision for Gentile converts and the necessity of Church authority in resolving doctrinal questions. Fr. Mike also examines 1 Corinthians 11-12, clarifying Paul's teachings on head coverings, the significance of the Eucharist, and the diversity of spiritual gifts, underscoring the equality and complementarity of men and women within the Church.
This episode explores the missionary journeys of Paul and Barnabas, revealing the volatile nature of human admiration and the necessity of enduring suffering for faith. Fr. Mike delves into Paul's teachings on apostolic rights and responsibilities, drawing powerful parallels to athletes who train for an imperishable reward. Listeners are called to bravely face life's challenges, find strength in faith, and dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to an eternal goal, understanding that God provides a way of escape in every temptation.
This episode delves into significant biblical teachings on spiritual life and community. Father Mike reflects on the commissioning of Paul and Barnabas and the profound spiritual role of fasting and prayer, emphasizing its ability to align body and spirit with God's will. He then discusses Saint Paul's advice on marriage and vocation from 1 Corinthians 7, highlighting the call to faithfulness in one's current state. Finally, the episode examines the issue of food offered to idols from 1 Corinthians 8, focusing on the principle of avoiding scandal and being mindful of how our actions impact the faith of others.
This episode covers Peter's miraculous angelic rescue from prison, prompting reflection on God's mysterious plan for salvation, even in suffering. Fr. Mike also delves into St. Paul's hard teachings in 1 Corinthians on sexual immorality, the importance of excommunication for repentance, and the call to glorify God with our bodies by letting go of sin.
This episode addresses the early Church's challenge of integrating Gentiles, with Peter's vision confirming God's universal plan. Fr. Mike highlights Barnabas, "Son of Encouragement," and his vital role alongside Paul in spreading the Gospel. The discussion also explores the notorious paganism of pre-Christian Corinth, contrasted with Paul's call for unity, purity, and building on Christ's foundation, touching on the concept of purgatory and the significance of spiritual fatherhood.
Day 331 explores Acts 10, detailing Cornelius's and Peter's visions leading to Peter preaching the Gospel to Gentiles, who then receive the Holy Spirit and are baptized. The episode also delves into 1 Corinthians 1-2, where Paul confronts disunity and factions within the Corinthian church, stressing that salvation comes through the "folly" of Christ crucified, not human eloquence or wisdom, urging believers to boast only in the Lord.
Fr. Mike discusses Saul's miraculous conversion in Acts 9, emphasizing Jesus's identification with His Church and His powerful work through it. He also highlights the call to participate in Christ's suffering and concludes St. Paul's Letter to the Romans, stressing that the Gospel advances primarily through family and friendships. Today's readings include Acts 9, Romans 15-16, and Proverbs 27:18-20.
Day 329 covers Acts 8, Romans 13-14, and Proverbs 27. Fr. Mike highlights Philip's encounter with the Ethiopian Eunuch, emphasizing the vital role of the Church's Magisterium for infallible Scripture interpretation. He also reflects on how persecution in Acts helped spread the Gospel and delves into St. Paul's teachings on civic obedience and fulfilling the law through sacrificial love for one another.
