The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)

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 308: Little by Little (2025)

November 4, 2025 • 22 mins
Fr. Mike highlights how God fights as a heavenly ally with the people of Israel in 2 Maccabees 11, and encourages us to actively fight alongside God in our daily battles. In our reading of Wisdom, Father points out how God corrects us little by little so we can learn to trust him. Today’s readings are 2 Maccabees 11, Wisdom 11-12, and Proverbs 25:8-10. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please not...
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Day 307: Courage in Battle (2025)

November 3, 2025 • 20 mins
Today, Fr. Mike discusses the confidence that faith in God can provide as we fight the battles of our lives. He also engages with the riddles found in Wisdom 10 and points out that we can now not only understand the characters, stories, and allusions of Scripture, but can recognize the fingerprints of God in the world around us and better understand the main character of Scripture: God. Today’s readings are 2 Maccabees 10, Wisdom 9...
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Day 306: Wisdom Is Beautiful (2025)

November 2, 2025 • 20 mins
Fr. Mike draws our attention to the descriptions of wisdom found in our readings for today and reflects on the beauty of wisdom’s feminine nature. He also discusses the death of Antiochus Epiphanes and offers two perspectives on reconciling God’s role in suffering. Today’s readings are from 2 Maccabees 9, Wisdom 7-8, and Proverbs 25:1-3. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible co...
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Day 305: The Defender (2025)

November 1, 2025 • 20 mins
As we hear the re-telling of the story of Judas Maccabbeus and his brothers fighting for the honor of the Lord's Temple in 2 Maccabees, Fr. Mike points out how this version gives us an insight into their recognition of God's presence, mercy, and justice in their circumstances. We learn that no matter what we are going through, we can trust that God is our great defender who is present and active in all circumstances of our lives. T...
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Day 304: Life Beyond Death (2025)

October 31, 2025 • 23 mins
Fr. Mike focuses on the powerful theme that connects all of our readings today- the reality of life beyond death. In the story of the martyrdom of the seven brothers in 2 Macabees, we see how the brothers and their mother fiercely reject the temptation to violate God's law, and boldly hold onto their hope in the resurrection of the dead. Our readings from Wisdom also remind us that death is not the end, because we know that eternal...
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Day 303: Eleazar's Martyrdom (2025)

October 30, 2025 • 22 mins
Fr. Mike offers a recap of Eleazar's martyrdom and marvels at Eleazar's courage to avoid both sin, and the temptation to lead others into sin. As we begin reading the book of Wisdom today, we also learn three valuable lessons; God did not create death, death entered the world through sin, and we are wise when we walk in the truth but foolish when we walk in evil. Today's readings are 2 Maccabees 6, Wisdom 1-2, and Proverbs 24:21...
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Day 302: The Pursuit of Wisdom (2025)

October 29, 2025 • 19 mins
Fr. Mike concludes the book of Sirach today and encourages us to continue the pursuit of wisdom. In our reading of 2 Maccabees, we see again the pillage of the Temple and we are re- introduced to Judas Maccabeus. Lastly, in Proverbs Fr. Mike encourages us to resist the temptation to rejoice when our enemies fall. Today’s readings are 2 Maccabees 5, Sirach 50-51, and Proverbs 24:17-20. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionp...
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Day 301: Rising Again (2025)

October 28, 2025 • 23 mins
As we begin to wrap up the Old Testament, Fr. Mike reflects on our reading from Sirach and what we have already learned on this journey through the Bible. He emphasizes that Scripture encourages us to rise again from our sin and return to God, because our God always picks us up again with his mercy. Today’s readings are 2 Maccabees 4, Sirach 47-49, and Proverbs 24:13-16. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bible...
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Day 300: Conversion of Heart (2025)

October 27, 2025 • 26 mins
Fr. Mike provides context to the God-centered perspective of 2 Maccabees and compares it to the more secular perspective provided by 1 Maccabees. He challenges us to reflect on our days with the lens of 2 Maccabees - acknowledging God’s presence in each moment of our story. Additionally, Fr. Mike shares the miraculous conversion story of St. Mary of Egypt. Today’s readings are 2 Maccabees 3, Sirach 45-46, and Proverbs 24:10-12. For...
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Day 299: Jeremiah Hides the Ark (2025)

October 26, 2025 • 22 mins
Fr. Mike discusses the story of Jeremiah and the Ark of the Covenant, offering insight on where it was hidden and how that affected the people of God. He also looks ahead to the rest of 2 Maccabees and poses a question for all of us: What will the people who love us remember about us? Today’s readings are 2 Maccabees 2, Sirach 42-44, and Proverbs 24:8-9. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please n...
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Day 298: The Gift of Life (2025)

October 25, 2025 • 23 mins
Fr. Mike gives us context for the beginning of 2 Maccabees and recounts the story of Nehemiah’s discovery of the sacred fire. He also offers a reflection for those struggling with grief and death, which serves as a reminder to all about the blessing of our lives and the lives of those we love. Today’s readings are 2 Maccabees 1, Sirach 40-41, and Proverbs 24:1-7. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear....
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Day 297: Using Good Things for Evil (2025)

October 24, 2025 • 20 mins
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...
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Day 296: Know Your Heart (2025)

October 23, 2025 • 19 mins
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...
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Day 295: Israel's Expectations (2025)

October 22, 2025 • 20 mins
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 r...
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Day 294: Judea Gains Independence (2025)

October 21, 2025 • 20 mins
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 readin...
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Day 324: The Name of Jesus (2025)

October 20, 2025 • 23 mins
In Acts 3, Peter used God’s gift of healing to allow God to restore a lame man. Fr. Mike reminds us that God gives us gifts so he can be known in the world and all great miracles are attributed to the name of Jesus. Fr. Mike also tells us why our suffering matters, and how God wastes nothing. Today’s readings are Acts 3, Romans 4-5, and Proverbs 27:1-3. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please no...
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Day 293: Discipline Grounded in Love (2025)

October 20, 2025 • 25 mins
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 asce...
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Day 292: The Power of Words (2025)

October 19, 2025 • 25 mins
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. P...
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Day 291: The Rise of King Alexander (2025)

October 18, 2025 • 26 mins
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 ...
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Day 290: Judas Maccabeus Dies (2025)

October 17, 2025 • 25 mins
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 asce...
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