Father Mike Schmitz
Appearances
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 364: Christ's Sacrifice Once for All (2024)
I'm Father Mark Mary Ames with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. My brothers and sisters, at the service of becoming saints and falling in love with Jesus and Mary and the Most Holy Rosary, the team here at Ascension Press have put together the Rosary in a Year podcast. Each day, we're going to have a 10 to 15 minute episode where we're just going to work through the basics of the Rosary.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 364: Christ's Sacrifice Once for All (2024)
Who is Jesus? How do we encounter Jesus? Who is Our Lady? What does it mean for us to be in relationship to her? We're going to go through the Hail Mary, the Our Father, each of the different mysteries. Then we're going to bring in some saint writings on the mysteries and some sacred art that speaks on the mysteries and all of this.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 364: Christ's Sacrifice Once for All (2024)
to help enrich our prayer, to renew our prayer, to help us fall in love with Jesus and Mary and to fall in love with the rosary again. If you want to join us in this journey, you can begin by going to ascensionpress.com forward slash rosary in a year to download the prayer plan and by listening and praying with us through the rosary in a year podcast.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 364: Christ's Sacrifice Once for All (2024)
All right, look forward to the journey with you.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 363: The New Covenant Priesthood (2024)
I'm Father Mark Mary Ames with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. My brothers and sisters, at the service of becoming saints and falling in love with Jesus and Mary and the Most Holy Rosary, the team here at Ascension Press have put together the Rosary in a Year podcast. Each day, we're going to have a 10 to 15 minute episode where we're just going to work through the basics of the Rosary.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 363: The New Covenant Priesthood (2024)
Who is Jesus? How do we encounter Jesus? Who is Our Lady? What does it mean for us to be in relationship to her? We're going to go through the Hail Mary, the Our Father, each of the different mysteries. Then we're going to bring in some saint writings on the mysteries and some sacred art that speaks on the mysteries and all of this.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 363: The New Covenant Priesthood (2024)
to help enrich our prayer, to renew our prayer, to help us fall in love with Jesus and Mary and to fall in love with the rosary again. If you want to join us in this journey, you can begin by going to ascensionpress.com forward slash rosary in a year to download the prayer plan and by listening and praying with us through the rosary in a year podcast.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 363: The New Covenant Priesthood (2024)
All right, look forward to the journey with you.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
And so when Timothy was converted, when Timothy was baptized, Paul also circumcised him. And he considered Paul to be his father and spiritual father. And definitely Paul considered Timothy to be his spiritual son. He heard that there are some issues going on in the church of Ephesus. And so Paul sent Timothy to go correct them.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
Timothy was a fellow journeyman, fellow apostle, essentially kind of an understudy, maybe a mentee or a disciple of Paul. Paul was the disciple or Paul was the mentor. And so Paul sent Timothy to Ephesus to correct some things that were going on. There were some wrong teachings. And that's what he addresses right away in the first letter of Paul to Timothy.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
Right away, he says, I want to warn you against those false teachers and certain good persons. Even, you know, people have a good conscience, the pure heart. But sometimes what can happen is there are people who are turned aside, turned aside from following the Lord Jesus by these false teachers. And then he goes on. I love this. His gratitude for his mercy.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
Because here's Paul who recognizes that he has been definitely the recipient of God's love and recipient of God's mercy. He says, That's one of the things, you know, sometimes our models are flawless. And that's fake model. That's a fake prototype because no one is flawless except the Lord alone, right? No one is perfect except the Lord alone.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
Paul was able to say, actually, God used me as the foremost of sinners to be an apostle. Why? So that those other people he actually just listed before this listed ungodly and sinners, murderers, immoral persons, sodomites, kidnappers, liars, perjurers, this whole thing, all those people. They can have hope because Paul is saying, I was the worst.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
And here you have hope now because look what God has done in me as the worst, what he can do for you. Because what he's done for me, he can do for you in an even greater. Now, Paul does mention two people, Himenaeus and Alexander. He says, by rejecting conscience, certain persons have made a shipwreck of their faith. which is true. We can lose our salvation. And this is one of the reasons why St.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
Paul says, work out your salvation and fear and trembling. We know this. Jesus even says, not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of my father. And so we recognize that even Paul says, these people have made a shipwreck of their faith by rejecting conscience. And so we can, we can lose that.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
Paul also instructs them to pray for all people, especially those who are over them in authority in some way. A couple things. Paul also notes in chapter 2, verse 3 and 4, says, This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. That is absolutely clear, that God does not predestine anyone to hell.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
God has made every human being to belong to him. God did not make death. We already heard that. He does not rejoice in the destruction of the living. We also hear in 1 Timothy that God, our Savior, desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. He never predestines. He never creates someone for hell. He actually creates everyone for heaven.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
Whoever knows God listens to us, and he who is not of God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. God is love. Beloved, let us love one another. For love is of God, and he who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
We get to choose whether we choose heaven or not. It goes on in verse 5, For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all. This is really important because we recognize there's only one way to the Father, and the one way to the Father is Jesus Christ. He is the one mediator between God and man. There's no other way.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
There's no way to reconciliation with God other than Jesus Christ. And this is so important, especially as we're coming to an end of this 365 days is we've journeyed from the very beginning of the story to this point. And what was the whole point of the story? Was God trying to draw people to himself and trying to call them to trust him?
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
And he's saying, let me be the mediator between me and you, essentially. And that is in Jesus Christ. Now, sometimes people say, because there's only one mediator between God and man, you don't need to go through anyone else in any other situation, any other, like, for example, why do you have to confess your sins to a priest or anything like that? Because there's only one mediator.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
Why do you pray to saints? Because there's only one mediator. And we say, of course, the one who actually mediated our salvation is the one human being and God himself, Jesus Christ. So God and man in Jesus is the one mediator who established us, as he says, who gave himself as a ransom for all. Without that, yeah, completely, there's no such thing as reconciliation.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
There's no such thing as salvation. But Paul isn't saying that no one else mediates, right? Because we do that all the time. Paul even says to, in his letters, he says, hey, pray for me. What is praying for someone other than mediating on their behalf? Also, even think about this, baptism. Now, sometimes people have a little burr in their saddle when it comes to confession.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
You guys have to go through a priest to have God forgive your sins? Well, no, but that's how Jesus set it up when he said to his apostles, receive the Holy Spirit. Those whose sins you forgive are forgiven. Those whose sins you hold bound are held bound. Jesus set it up this way. But also, think about baptism. No one in the history of Christianity has ever baptized themselves.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
There's always salvation coming through baptism, as Peter wrote, salvation mediated through the ministry of another human being. So we recognize that this, yes, there is one mediator between God and man. who is the only one who brought humanity and divinity back into reconciliation. That doesn't mean that we don't have a role in helping other people come to know Jesus.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
Or else why would I even be reading this podcast? Because right now I'm mediating God's word to you. by reading it out loud into a microphone. And it's being mediated to you by this whole team at Ascension who are putting together this podcast. So keep this in mind.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
There is one mediator between God and man, the man Jesus Christ, because without him, without God himself incarnate, fully God and fully man, there's no salvation. But God shares this role of mediation. He shares this role of bringing others to him with his children because he loves us that much. That makes sense. Hopefully it does.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
Last little note, qualifications of bishops and qualifications of deacons. I think sometimes, sorry, last two notes. Um, people say, wait a second. You just said that bishops and deacons are married. Yep. Yeah. In the early church, they were married deacons. There are married bishops. Um, the apostles, a lot of them are married. Here's Paul who's not married. And so there's no rule about that.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
Just as Catholics, we are accustomed to our priests and bishops not being married, which is completely normal too. That's a development that happened in the history of the church. The last piece here I want to make, I know this is a little bit long, but here's the last piece. Yeah. What would you say is the pillar and foundation of truth? I always ask people this.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
What would you say is the pillar and bulwark of truth? Some people say, well, the Bible. I say, okay, great. What does the Bible say is the pillar and foundation or the pillar and bulwark of truth? Well, in 1 Timothy 3, verse 15,
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
In this, the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No man has ever seen God.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
saint paul the bible itself says that the church is the pillar and foundation of truth we know that the church has given us the scriptures the church has given us the bible and the church has interpreted the bible their church has given us doctrine as we read in thessalonians saint paul said Remember and follow what I handed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
So we have both things. We have written tradition, which is called the Bible. We have the oral tradition, which is called the magisterium or the teaching office of the church. And so there's that piece of what's the pillar and foundation of truth. What's the Bible say? The Bible says the church is the pillar and foundation or pillar and bulwark of truth. And I'm thankful for the Lord because as St.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
Augustine said, I would not believe in the gospels had not the Catholic church told me that I could believe in them. And so we know that we're grateful for this whole year. We're grateful for every one of these scriptures. And we're grateful, of course, for the church that Jesus Christ founded that has given us these scriptures.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
I just, again, not to make an argument, but just to explain where I'm coming from as a Catholic priest. I'm so grateful for you. I'm so great. I'm sorry. I'm laughing at this microphone and wondering like, are they thinking I'm crazy right now? Maybe you think I'm crazy right now, but I'm just, I'm crazy for him. Crazy for the church. And I, and now it sounds stupid. Crazy for y'all.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
I'm so, I'm praying for you. Please pray for me. My name is Father Mike. I cannot wait to see you tomorrow. God bless.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
Discovering how the story of salvation unfolds and how we fit into that story today, it is day 356. We're reading from the second half of 1 John, if that makes any sense, 1 John chapter 4 and 5, as well as 1 Timothy chapters 1, 2, and 3. We're also reading from Proverbs chapter 30, verses 24 through 28.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
If we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him, and he in us, because he has given us of his own spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we know and believe the love God has for us.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. In this is love perfected within us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and he who fears is not perfected in love. We love because he first loved us.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
If anyone says, I love God and hates his brother, he is a liar. For he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him, that he who loves God should love his brother also. Chapter five, faith conquers the world. Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
And everyone who loves the parent loves the one begotten by him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world, and this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
Who is it that overcomes the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? Testimony concerning the Son of God. This is he who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ. Not with the water only, but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the witness, because the Spirit is the truth. There are three witnesses, the Spirit, the water, and the blood. And these three agree.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne witness to his Son. He who believes in the son of God has the testimony in himself. He who does not believe God has made him a liar because he has not believed in the testimony that God has born to his son. And this is the testimony that God gave us eternal life.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
And this life is in his son. He who has the son has life. He who has not the son of God has not life. Epilogue. I write this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. And this is the confidence which we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
As always, the Bible translation I'm reading from is the Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition. I'm using the Great Adventure Bible from Ascension. If you want to download your own Bible in a Year reading plan, you can visit ascensionpress.com slash Bible in a Year. You can also subscribe to this podcast for the final few days of this 365.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him. If anyone sees his brother committing what is not a deadly sin, he will ask, and God will give him life for those whose sin is not deadly. There is sin which is deadly. I do not say that one is to pray for that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin which is not deadly.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
We know that anyone born of God does not sin, but he who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him. We know that we are of God, and the whole world is in the power of the evil one. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding to know him who is true. And we are in him who is true in his Son, Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
Chapter one, salutation. Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope. To Timothy, my true child in the faith, grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. Warning against false teachers.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
Hi, my name is Father Mike Schmitz, and you're listening to the Bible in a Year podcast, where we encounter God's voice and live life through the lens of scripture. The Bible in a Year podcast is brought to you by Ascension. Using the Great Adventure Bible Timeline, we'll read all the way from Genesis to Revelation.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus, that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to occupy themselves with myths and endless genealogies which promote speculations rather than the divine training that is in faith. Whereas the aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
Certain persons by swerving from these have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make assertions.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
Now we know that the law is good, if anyone uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, immoral persons, sodomites, kidnappers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine in accordance with the glorious gospel of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
gratitude for mercy. I thank him who has given me strength for this, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful by appointing me to his service. Though I formerly blasphemed and persecuted and insulted him, but I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
But, you know, when you take another lap around the sun... That download could be really helpful at ascensionpress.com. Also, subscribing could be helpful. I'm not sure. It's up to you. It's your life. Live it for the Lord. It is day 356. We're reading 1 John chapters 4 and 5, 1 Timothy chapters 1, 2, and 3, as well as Proverbs chapter 30, verses 24 through 28.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. And I am the foremost of sinners. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience for an example to those who are to believe in him for eternal life.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. This charge I commit to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophetic utterances which pointed to you, that inspired by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting conscience, certain persons have made a shipwreck of their faith.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
Among them, Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered to Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. Chapter 2 Instructions Concerning Prayer First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings, and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectable in every way.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, the testimony to which was given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and apostle. I am telling the truth.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
I am not lying. A teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling. Also, that women should adorn themselves modestly and sensibly in seemly apparel, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly attire, but by good deeds, as befits women who profess religion."
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
Let a woman learn in silence, with all submissiveness. I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over men, she is to keep silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve, and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet woman will be saved through bearing children, if she continues in faith and love and holiness with modesty. Chapter 3.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
Qualifications of Bishops The saying is sure. If anyone aspires to the office of bishop, he desires a noble task. Now, a bishop must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, dignified, hospitable, an apt teacher, no drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and no lover of money.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
He must manage his own household well, keeping his children submissive and respectful in every way. For if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may be puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, or he may fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. qualifications of deacons deacons likewise must be serious not double-tongued not addicted to much wine not greedy for gain they must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience and let them also be tested first then if they prove themselves blameless let them serve as deacons
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
The women likewise must be serious, no slanderers, but temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be the husband of one wife and let them manage their children and their households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
The first letter of John, chapter four, testing the spirits. Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are of God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God. Every spirit which confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit which does not confess Jesus is not of God.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
The Mystery of Our Religion I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you so that, if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth. Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of our religion.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
Four things on earth are small, but they are exceedingly wise. The ants are a people not strong, yet they provide their food in the summer. The badgers are a people not mighty, yet they make their homes in the rocks. The locusts have no king, yet all of them march in rank. The lizard you can take in your hands, yet it is in king's palaces.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
Father in heaven, we give you praise.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
We thank you so much for this day. Thank you, gosh, Lord, for continuing to walk with us, continuing to guide us and feed us with your word and shape us by your truth. We ask you to please help us to love. Help us to love. Help us to love. You are love. You have loved us first. And we give you praise. As you put that love into our hearts, help us to love in return and love in response. as you do.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
As you've loved us, help us to love the people around us. As you've loved us, help us to love you yourself. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. As I told you, St. John, he's all about love. This is the key. How many times has James said, just in today's readings, that God is love? These three words, God is love.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
We already noted that the Catechism highlights the that Jesus reveals the innermost secret of God. And the innermost secret of God is that God is an eternal exchange of love, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We know that God himself is not simply a monolith, right? God is a unity, but he's a trinity of persons. That love is not what God does. Love is who God is.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
And so here we are made in God's image and likeness, which means that we are made for love. And what does John say? We love because he first loved us. This is so incredible. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. This is chapter four, verse 18.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, for fear has to do with punishment, and he who fears is not perfected in love. We love, again, as I said, we love because he first loved us. This is so important for us, that you were loved first. That he loved you first before anything else. Sometimes people can resent the fact.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
I mean, I've talked with a lot of people who have said, you know, I never asked God to make me. I never asked God to have a life. I've never asked God to exist. And they resent God because pain has done something to them. You know, it's done a number on their hearts. And yet at the same time, why did God make them? Not for pain. He made them for love. And we have to respond to that love.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
Of course, we don't just receive it. And that's true. We do receive God's love. But we don't just receive that love. As John points out, the way to love God is to obey his commandments. We have to love our neighbor, of course, by taking care of our neighbor. But we love God by obeying his commandments.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
And he says in chapter five, this is the love of God that we keep his commandments and his commandments are not burdensome. And that is so critical for us. Remember, we heard that yesterday. I kind of anticipated today's reading where John says, he who does not love his brother whom he sees cannot truly love the God whom he does not see. And so we have to love our neighbor.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
That's one way we love God. The other way we love God is through worship. The other way we love God is through obedience, the obedience to his commands. And that is... That's the test. And that's why I just say, God, please help me. Please help me. Now, at the end of John's first letter here, he talks about different kinds of sins.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
Now, some people wonder, like, wait, you Catholics talk about things like mortal sins and venial sins. And where do you get that idea? Well, we get it right from here, right from 1 John chapter 5, where John says, we know that all wrongdoing is sin. But there is such a thing as deadly sin, and there is such a thing as sin that is not deadly. Deadly is a.k.a.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
This is the spirit of the Antichrist, of which you heard that it was coming, and now it is in the world already. Little children, you are of God, and have overcome them. For he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." They are of the world. Therefore, what they say is of the world, and the world listens to them. We are of God.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
mortal, mortal sin, and venial is a.k.a. not deadly. And so that is where we get that doctrine of the difference between mortal and venial sin. Going into the first letter of Paul to Timothy. What's gone on? You know, Timothy, remember, remember Timothy, he had a grandmother and a mother who were faithful. His father was a Greek.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
Paul here in chapter one, he demonstrates this thing that is called apatheia. And that's not the same thing as apathy. Apathy can be a negative kind of apathy, a negative kind of I don't care, like whatever, I'm just in a negative way. But there's also this positive apatheia, this positive apathy, which means I am indifferent to whatever the Lord wants.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
Not apathy in terms of I'm just kind of unfeeling or uncaring, but apatheia would be this virtue, the virtue of indifference that would say whether God causes me to have a long life or a short one, whatever he wants. I'm indifferent. If he wants me to have health or sickness, I'm indifferent, whatever he wants. If he wants me to have wealth or poverty, I don't care, whatever he wants.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
This kind of holy indifference, this holy apatheia is what Paul demonstrates here in the first letter of St. Paul to the Philippians, where he says, I know I shall not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage, now as always, Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. This is so important.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
This should be every single one of our attitudes to life. Whatever situation we have, God, if this is what you want, then great, I will rejoice. It is St. Paul's secret to happiness. It is his secret to joy, is realizing that That whether by my sickness or by my health, God is glorified, amen. Whether by my wealth or my poverty, God is glorified, amen.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
Whether by my grief or by my joy, God is glorified, amen to this. Because he points out that we're called to be shining as lights in the world. to do everything without grumbling or questioning, that we may be blameless and innocent children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation among whom you shine as lights in the world. This is chapter two.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
And this is, again, we can do that when we have that holy indifference, when we have that holy apatheia. Saying, God, whatever it is that you want, that's what I want. And he points out in this incredible song in chapter 2, it's Philippians chapter 2, this almost like a creed where it talks about Jesus.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
He says, have this mind among yourselves, which was in Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped. but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men and being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
See, this whole section is actually, scripture scholars believe that this was an ancient poem, like it was a song, maybe even, that Christians would sing that here Paul is putting into his letter.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery, and Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him. And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. They presented many gifts to us, and when we sailed, they put on board whatever we needed." Paul comes to Rome.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
It goes on to say, "'Therefore God has highly exalted him "'and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, "'that at the name of Jesus, "'every knee should bow in heaven and on earth "'and under the earth, "'and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord "'to the glory of God the Father.'" Two things I wanna highlight in this. It's incredible. Well, three things. One is that St.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
Paul says, be like Jesus in this. Be like Jesus in this, doing nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility, count others better than yourselves. Look not to your own interests, but also the interests of others. That's the mind of Jesus. The first thing, we're invited to be like that. Second thing, St. Paul is making it absolutely clear that Jesus is fully God, completely.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
He says, though he was in the form of God, that's a very technical term. In the notes in the Great Adventure Bible, it highlights this. It says this, the Greek shows that divine attributes and therefore nature of God are implied there. It's the divine nature that Jesus is sharing. Now he is in the form of God.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
He did not count equality with God, a thing to be grasped, meaning a thing to be wielded. Think about it like that, a thing to be wielded. He is equal with God. He is God. But he did not count equality with God something to be wielded, to be used against human beings.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
But humbling himself, he took the form, again, form of a servant, meaning he had the form of God, the nature of God, to the form of a servant. That is the nature of humanity. And this is just so incredible that the deep theological truth that is communicated here in Philippians chapter two. But thirdly, I think this is completely overlooked so often.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
I pray this prayer, Philippians chapter two, at least once a week. And it kicks me in the butt every time is that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth. This is one of the reasons why, gosh, you guys, we can't take the Lord's name in vain. To say the name of Jesus Christ carelessly or thoughtlessly is just, is just the worst.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
Because at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, not just curse. Every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, meaning even the demons will bend their knees at the name of Jesus. And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Why? To the glory of God the Father. That is, this is key. This is all done to the glory of God the Father.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
Jesus' preoccupation was that the Father would be glorified. And so, at the end of all things, the name of Jesus, every knee should bend, every tongue should confess. Why? For the Father's glory. Everything we do, honoring Jesus, praying in the Spirit, walking as Christians, it glorifies the Father.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
And Jesus' preoccupation of wanting to glorify the Father and do the Father's will, that can be our preoccupation as well. Everything we do in the name of Jesus and the power of the Spirit is done for the glory of God the Father. It's just what an incredible way to live. That holy indifference of saying, God, whatever it is you want, I want. Let it be done unto me according to your will.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
But that goes against our nature. It goes against our brokenness. And so we need to pray. We need God's grace to help us persevere. As St. Paul says, work out your salvation in fear and trembling, knowing we can lose our salvation. Work out your salvation in fear and trembling. So we pray for each other. And I'm praying for you. Please pray for me. My name is Father Mike.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
I cannot wait to see you tomorrow. God bless.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
After three months, we set sail in a ship which had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin brothers as figurehead. Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Regium. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
There we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. And the brethren there, when they heard of us, came as far as the forum of Appius and three taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier that guarded him. Paul and Jewish leaders in Rome.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
Discovering how the story of salvation unfolds and how we fit into that story today. Today is day 349. We're reading the last chapter of the book of Acts of the Apostles. That's chapter 28, as well as beginning the first two chapters of St. Paul's letter to the Philippians chapters one and two. We're also reading Proverbs chapter 29 verses 25 through 27.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
After three days, he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, Brethren, though I had done nothing against the people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, though I had no charge to bring against my nation. For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
And they said to him, We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brethren coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you. But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against. Paul preaches in Rome.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in great numbers, and he expounded the matter to them from morning till evening, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the law of Moses and from the prophets. And some were convinced by what he said, while others disbelieved.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
So, as they disagreed among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement. The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet, Go to this people and say, You shall indeed hear, but never understand, and you shall indeed see, but never perceive.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
For this people's heart has grown dull, and their ears are heavy of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should perceive with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and turn from me to heal them. Let it be known to you then that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles. They will listen.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
And he lived there two whole years at his own expense and welcomed all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ quite openly and unhindered.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons, grace to you, and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul's prayer for the Philippians.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine, for you all making my prayer with joy, thankful for your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all because I hold you in my heart.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
For you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
As always, the Bible translation I'm reading from is the revised standard version, second Catholic edition. I'm using the Great Adventure Bible from Ascension. If you want to download your own Bible in a year reading plan for these last few days, you can visit ascensionpress.com slash Bible in a year. You can also subscribe to this podcast.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruits of righteousness which come through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. Paul's present circumstances.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
I want you to know, brethren, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brethren have been made confident in the Lord because of my imprisonment and are much more bold to speak the word of God without fear.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of partisanship, not sincerely, but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
Hi, my name is Father Mike Schmitz, and you're listening to the Bible in a Year podcast, where we encounter God's voice and live life through the lens of Scripture. The Bible in a Year podcast is brought to you by Ascension. Using the Great Adventure Bible timeline, we'll read all the way from Genesis to Revelation. We're almost there.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
To live is Christ. Yes, and I shall rejoice. For I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I shall not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always, Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
If it is to be life in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose, I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and to be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
Convinced of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus because of my coming to you again.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one mind, striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear omen to them of their destruction, but of your salvation and that from God.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
And click on subscribe and receive daily episodes and daily updates. It is day 349. We're reading Acts of the Apostles, chapter 28, the final chapter, as well as Philippians chapters 1 and 2, Proverbs chapter 29, verses 25 through 27. The Acts of the Apostles, chapter 28, Paul on the Island of Malta.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ, you should not only believe in him, but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict which you saw and now hear to be mine. Chapter 2.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
Imitating Christ's Humility So, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any incentive in love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves."
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which was in Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God has highly exalted him, and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
shining as lights in the world. Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence, but much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling. For God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ, I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
Even if I am to be poured as a libation upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise, you also should be glad and rejoice with me, Timothy and Epaphroditus. I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I may be cheered by news of you. I have no one like him who will be genuinely anxious for your welfare.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
They all look after their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But Timothy's worth, you know, how as a son with a father, he has served me in the gospel. I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me. And I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself shall come also.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier and your messenger and minister to my need. for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. Indeed, he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again and that I may be less anxious. So receive him in the Lord with all joy and honor such men, for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete your service to me. The fear of man lays a snare, but he who trusts in the Lord is safe.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
After we had escaped, we then learned that the island was called Malta, and the natives showed us unusual kindness for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all because it had begun to rain and was cold. Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire when a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
Many seek the favor of a ruler, but from the Lord a man gets justice. An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, but he whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
Oh Lord, for 349 days, you have fed us with your word. You have shaped our minds and you filled our hearts with who you are and with your love. God, we ask you, please receive our praise, receive our thanks. Thank you so much for every one of these days. Thank you so much for St. Paul and for St. Peter and for Epaphroditus and for Timothy and for these Philippian Christians who,
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
today we get introduced to, we thank you so much. Help us to be like them. Help us to be like you. Lord God, help us to be imitators of your son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who emptied himself humbly, humbly emptied himself out of love for us, for your glory and for our salvation. Help us to be like him. Thank you, Father.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
We ask this in Jesus' name, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Here we are, Acts of the Apostles, chapter 28. The conclusion, well, it's not really the conclusion of the story, but it is the conclusion of Luke's account of the story. In fact, I have a good friend. His name is Father John Ricardo. And Father John Ricardo has a ministry called Acts 29.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
And it's awesome, right? Because it's the... Here's what happens after Acts of the Apostles, chapter 28. That's not the end of the church, right? That's not the end of the gospel. This Paul on the island of Malta is not the end of the gospel. Paul in Rome is not the end of the gospel, but Acts chapter 29 is the next step.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
And this is like, as the Lord hands on the baton to the apostles and the apostles hand on the baton to the next Christians, the next Christians here. We are handed the baton as well. And we have this last chapter of chapter 28 of the Acts of the Apostles as Paul not only gets to Malta. I think here's a couple of things. It's very small, but it's worth it.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
Here they are shipwrecked on the island of Malta. They're building a fire. And the Maltese folks, I was going to say Maltese Falcons, the Maltese folks, they build a fire. And it says Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire when a viper came and, you know, latched on his hand. It's a small thing. Because the big thing is, of course, that Paul didn't die.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
You know, Jesus had promised that you'll handle serpents and not die. The bigger thing, I think, well, maybe it's not bigger. The fact is, Paul was gathering sticks and put them on the fire. I know sometimes. I've been camping. I've been even relaxing. I've been with family. I've been in those places where... There's a lot of people helping.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
And so I, here's my, my tendency and anyone who knows me knows this, like, oh yeah, where's father Mike? Oh, he's on the couch. Like that kind of, that kind of situation, as opposed to, I have these incredible brothers-in-law, the incredible parents and siblings who they like just contribute. They just, they would be the one gathering sticks. They'd be the ones making the fire.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live. He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. They waited, expecting him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
They'd be the ones gathering all these things. And I'd be like, okay, I'm going to sit over here on the corner. And I, again, this is one of my faults, one of my many faults. I have to be reminded, oh, it's time to help. It's time to get up off your rear and contribute. But here is St.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
Paul who doesn't have to be reminded and he gets bitten by a viper as he's seeing that people need help and he's helping them. Hope that that makes sense. I don't know. It's just one of those little points that I think it sticks out because being a Christian isn't always heroic moments, right? Being a Christian is having the attitude of a servant.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
Paul talks about that all of the time, having the attitude of a servant. And clearly, here he is living what he preaches. And again, it's one thing to say it. It's another thing to do it. And clearly here, Paul isn't just working miracles with the Maltese people. He's also building fires, gathering sticks. And I think that probably points more to his character than anything else.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
Maybe just because I'm sensitive. about that myself, of the ways in which I fail. Anyways, Paul contributes. And not only that, but he is all about preaching the gospel and using this opportunity, this opportunity to be in Rome under house arrest, to preach to the Praetorian Guard. I mean, he uses any opportunity, any and every opportunity.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
There's no situation, no circumstance in which Paul will not be willing to preach the gospel, even to the end, to the very, very end. And so that is just, again, not only picks up sticks and builds fires, he's always willing to preach the gospel. So that's the end of Acts, the Apostles, chapter 28. But as we know, the church continues on and we live in the age of Acts, chapter 29. St.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
Paul's letter to the Philippians, happily enough, is actually written when Paul was under house arrest in Rome. Paul is writing to the Philippians as a prisoner, which is really incredible. Once again, highlighting Paul's character.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
Paul doesn't even hardly mention, I mean, he does mention some things that happened to him, but he even says that, yeah, I want you to know, this is chapter one, verse 12. I want you to know that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. What's happened to me is I'm under house arrest, right?
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
But what's happened to me has really served to advance the gospel so that it has become known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And that is, again, here is Paul saying, The letter to the Philippians is the letter of joy. Remember way back, we have Jeremiah and Ezekiel. We have the weeping prophets. Here is St. Paul to the Philippians.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 349: Holy Indifference (2024)
This is the epistle of joy, the letter of joy. He just says, I want you, please rejoice at all times. I say to you, rejoice. I don't even care if people are preaching Jesus because they want to make me look bad. Even in this, I don't care. Only that he says this in verse 18, only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. And in that I rejoice. St.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
John says in chapter two, verse 15, so important. This is a theme that's repeated again and again, that do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. And that is so important. Again, that world and our Lord are at enmity with each other. The world wars against the Lord.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
And so we just have to realize that how many of us, we're living for the world. How many of us at the end of this 365 days, we realize, Lord, the world has my heart more than you do. In so many ways, the world has shaped my lens more than you do.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
In so many ways, Lord, what I work for, what I get up for, what I strive for day after day is not for you, but it's for the honors of the world, for the victories of the world, for the recognition of the world, or even for the comforts of the world. And yet, again, I can't belong to the Lord and belong to the world at the same time.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
You know, in chapter two, when John makes it clear, do not love the world or the things of the world. In verse 16, he says, for all that is in the world, lust of the flesh and lust of the eyes and the pride of life is not of the father, but it's of the world. This is fascinating because you can go all the way back to the very beginning. Remember Genesis chapter three, 350 plus days ago.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
In Genesis chapter three, you have Eve in the garden of Eden and the serpent comes into the garden and begins to tempt Eve to doubt the father's love for her, to choose to be of the world and not of the father, not of God, but of the world. And he points out the fruit of the tree.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
And it says there in Genesis 3, verse 6, it says, Now, I don't know if you can catch this, but this is a little bit of a connection here. This is a little bit of a... some balance, some symmetry here. It was good for food, lust of the flesh, right? That sense that it's going to taste good. It'll satisfy my flesh here. Lust of the eyes.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
She saw that it was pleasing to the eye and the pride of life also desirable for gaining wisdom. Remember the goal was God doesn't want you to become like him. You know, don't be like gods who know. And here in that pride, in that sin, in that lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life, Eve takes the fruit, eats it, gives it to her husband, eats it, they both fall.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
Now, Jesus recapitulates this, right? Jesus in the wilderness, he faces a battle with Satan. And the battle is turn these stones into bread, throw yourself down from the parapet of the temple and bow down before me and you get the kingdoms of the world. We have where all of us, including our forefathers, Adam and Eve, where we all fail. Here's Jesus succeeding in resisting the lust of the flesh.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
He doesn't change stones into bread. unless of the eyes, he doesn't want to be seen and pursue fame and the pride of life. He does not give into that worship of anything, anyone other than the Lord God himself. And just so remarkable and so incredible. Oh gosh. And I mentioned that we have been made into God's children in there in John chapter, first John chapter three, St.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not live according to the truth. But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus his son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
John says this, he says, see what love the father has given us that we should be called children of God. And so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now. It does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is, which is just a gift.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
I can't even begin to highlight the gift that that is, that God has already bestowed on us in letting us be called his sons and daughters. Like we mentioned yesterday, going from a marionette to a real boy and a real girl to be actual sons and daughters of the Father. Second Thessalonians, just one quick note. And that is once again, St. Paul loves these people.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
He loves them so much, but he's also highlighting to them, highlighting for them that do not turn away from the gospel that you are given and do not go running after people who are saying that no, Jesus already came and you missed him. Do not, do not do this because what's going to happen is there is more tribulation to come.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
And Jesus, believe me, you will not miss him when he arrives, when he returns, you will not miss him. And that is a very important thing for all of us to note. In chapter three at the end, St. Paul also was recognizing that some of these people were saying, well, you know what? Jesus is coming right away. So I don't really have to work. I don't have to invest. I don't have to
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
put any effort into anything because he's coming. So why, you know, plant crops? Because shoot, you know, sooner or later, he's going to be here probably sooner. And so those crops won't be needed to be, I don't need to take care of the people around me. I don't need to take care of myself. And so St. Paul is saying, no, no, no, no, no.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
Listen, you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness. He says, because we have this rule that those who do not work should not eat. And so that is very important that if you can work and you're not, then you're doing something wrong. And that's a very important thing because at the end of this, St.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
Paul says, if anyone refuses to obey what we say in this letter, note that man and have nothing to do with him that he may be ashamed. So it's really important that they take heed of what St. Paul is saying. And yet his last words essentially are, At the same time, do not look on him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother, which is absolutely key, obviously, to not treat each other like enemies.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
Using the Great Adventure Bible Timeline, we'll read all the way from Genesis to Revelation, discovering how the story of salvation unfolds and how we fit into that story today. It is day 355. We're beginning the first letter of St. John, chapters 1, 2, and 3, as well as concluding... Actually, it's the entirety of St. Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians. That's three chapters as well.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
We're treating each other as brothers and sisters. So my brothers and sisters, I want to let you know that just as St. Paul said, please pray for me, and I am praying for you. My name is Father Mike. I cannot wait to see you tomorrow. God bless.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. Chapter 2 Christ is Our Advocate My little children, I am writing this to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
And he is the expiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we may be sure that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He who says, I know him, but disobeys his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps his word, in him truly love for God is perfected. By this we may be sure that we are in him.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
He who says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. A New Commandment Beloved, I am writing to you no new commandment, but an old commandment, which you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you have heard.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
Yet I am writing you a new commandment, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. He who says he is in the light and hates his brother is in the darkness still. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and in it there is no cause for stumbling.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
But he who hates his brother is in the darkness, and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his sake. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
I write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong and the word of God abides in you and you have overcome the evil one. Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away and the lust of it. But he who does the will of God abides forever. Warning against the Antichrist. Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that Antichrist is coming, so now many Antichrists have come.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
Therefore we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us. For if they had been of us, they would have continued with us, but they went out, that it might be plain that they all are not of us. But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all know.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and know that no lie is of the truth. Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the Antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. Anyone who denies the Son does not have the Father. He who confesses the Son has the Father also. Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
Chapters one, two, and three. That's the whole thing. And we're also reading Proverbs chapter 30, verses 20 through 23. As always, the Bible translation I'm reading from is the Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition. I'm using the Great Adventure Bible from Ascension. If you want to download your own Bible in your reading plan, Last minute, get them while they're hot.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he has promised us, eternal life. I write this to you about those who would deceive you. But the anointing which you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
As his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true and is no lie, just as it has taught you, abide in him. And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who does right is born of him.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
Chapter 3 See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God, and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. You know that he appeared to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. Anyone who abides in him does not sin. Anyone who sins has not seen him, nor has he known him. Little children, let no one deceive you.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
Hi, my name is Father Mike Schmitz, and you're listening to the Bible in a Year podcast, where we encounter God's voice and live life through the lens of Scripture. The Bible in a Year podcast is brought to you by Ascension.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
He who does right is righteous as he is righteous. He who commits sin is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. Anyone born of God does not commit sin, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot sin because he is born of God.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
By this it may be seen who are the children of God and who are the children of the devil. Whoever does not do right is not of God, nor he who does not love his brother. Love one another. For this is the message which we have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another and not be like Cain who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him?
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
You can visit ascensionpress.com slash Bible in a Year. You can also subscribe to this podcast if you'd like, and you'll receive daily episodes and daily updates for the last, I don't know, 10 or 11 days we got going on here. It is day 355. We're reading 1 John chapters 1 through 3, 2 Thessalonians chapters 1, 2, and 3. Same thing, as well as Proverbs chapter 30 verses 20 through 23.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous. Do not wonder, brethren, that the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life because we love the brethren. He who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
By this we know, love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us love not in word or speech, but in deed and in truth.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God, and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he has commanded us. All who keep his commandments abide in him, and he in them. And by this we know that he abides in us."
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians, in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Thanksgiving. We are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, as is fitting, because your faith is growing abundantly and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
Therefore, we ourselves boast of you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions which you are enduring. The judgment at Christ's coming. This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be made worthy of the kingdom of God for which you are suffering.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
Since indeed God deems it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you and to grant rest with us to you who are afflicted. When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance upon those who do not know God and upon those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
they shall suffer the punishment of eternal destruction and exclusion from the presence of the lord and from the glory of his might when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints and to be marveled at in all who have believed because our testimony to you was believed
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
To this end, we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his call and may fulfill every good resolve and work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Chapter 2. The Man of Lawlessness
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
Now, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our assembling to meet him, we beg you, brethren, not to be quickly shaken in mind or excited, either by spirit or by word or by letter purporting to be from us to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
For that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called God or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you, I told you this?
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed and the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by his appearing and his coming.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
The first letter of John, chapter 1, the word of life. that which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with our hands concerning the word of life. The life was made manifest and we saw it and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the father and was made manifest to us.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
The coming of the lawless one by the activity of Satan will be with all power and with pretended signs and wonders and with all wicked deception for those who are to perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
Therefore God sends upon them a strong delusion to make them believe what is false so that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. Chosen for Salvation but we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning to be saved through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
Now, may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word. Chapter three, request for prayer.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord may speed on and triumph as it did among you and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men for not all have faith, but the Lord is faithful. He will strengthen you and guard you from evil. And we have confidence in the Lord about you that you are doing and will do the things which we command.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. Warning against idleness. Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us. We were not idle when we were with you.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
We did not eat anyone's bread without paying. But with toil and labor we worked night and day that we might not burden any of you. It was not because we have not that right, but to give you in our conduct an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this command, If anyone will not work, let him not eat.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
For we hear that some of you are walking in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now, such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work in quietness and to earn their own living. Brethren, do not be weary in well-doing. If anyone refuses to obey what we say in this letter, note that man and have nothing to do with him that he may be ashamed.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
Do not look on him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. Final greetings and benediction. Now, may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with you all. I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the mark in every letter of mine. It is the way I write.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
This is the way of an adulteress. She eats and wipes her mouth and says, I have done no wrong. Under three things, the earth trembles. Under four, it cannot bear up. A slave when he becomes a king and a fool when he is filled with food.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
That which we have seen and heard, we proclaim also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. And we are writing this, that our joy may be complete. God is light. This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him is no darkness at all.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
We thank you, oh Lord God, for the beginning of the first letter of John, of just being reminded that you have made us into your children and what we shall be later on. We have no idea. The mind cannot even imagine. We cannot even dare to dream the future you have in store for us. And so we ask you to please help us Help us to belong to you. Help us to love one another.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
Help us to place our faith into action. Help us not be lovers in speech or in word, but in deed and in truth. Help us to love the people that are in our vicinity, those who are in our orbit. Help us to love those people who are near to us. Help us to love them as you have loved us. In Jesus' name we pray, amen. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, amen.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
The first letter of St. John, all three, I mean, all three letters of St. John are just, they're encyclicals or they're letters of love. And this is so, so important that the theme of his letters are not only the triumph of Jesus, of course, not only the triumph of Jesus, but... how everyone who belongs to Jesus must, must love one another as he has loved us.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 355: The Things of This World (2024)
In fact, John makes the clear point that if we do not love our brothers, then we don't truly love God. That if we don't love those who are near to us, then we do not love the God who is invisible to us. How can you say, how can I say, I love the God who's invisible? and yet not love the brother or the neighbor who is visible. And so it's so important. But also St.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 348: Rules for the New Life (2024)
And so it was that all escaped to land. The Letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians Chapter 4 Unity in the Body of Christ
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 348: Rules for the New Life (2024)
The book of Proverbs chapter 29 verses 22 through 24.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 348: Rules for the New Life (2024)
He hears the curse, but discloses nothing. Father in heaven, we give you praise and glory.
The School of Greatness
Harvard Psychiatrist: How To Heal Your Mind With Your Diet - The Scientific Connection Between Nutrition & Mental Health
Why is this? There could be two reasons. One is because not all the people of Israel at this point would have been circumcised. And so this was an opportunity for the men of the people of Israel to be brought into the covenant via circumcision. And they had to recover, essentially. So they were probably circumcised at the beginning of this week.
The School of Greatness
Harvard Psychiatrist: How To Heal Your Mind With Your Diet - The Scientific Connection Between Nutrition & Mental Health
And the beginning of the week is marked by the lamb coming into their home. They're circumcised, they're healing. And by the end of the week, when they have the roast lamb and they sacrifice it and whatnot, they will be healed enough to move in flight. Now, why would they have to be circumcised?
The School of Greatness
Harvard Psychiatrist: How To Heal Your Mind With Your Diet - The Scientific Connection Between Nutrition & Mental Health
So without further anything, anything further, further ado or anything else, Exodus chapter 12. Exodus chapter 12. The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, this month shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you.
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Well, because it says at the very end of chapter 12, it says, unless you're brought into the covenant via circumcision, you actually cannot, you may not, you must not partake circumcision. of the sacrificial lamb. And this is really important for us as well, because that's one of the things that we believe.
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In fact, there is Justin Martyr who wrote a basically description, the first description we have of the Catholic mass in the year 140 to 150.
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And in it, one of the things he notes is that not all can partake of the Eucharist, not all can partake of Jesus, the Lamb of God, but only those who are of our number, only those who have been brought into the covenant via baptism and are part of the number that profess what we profess, which leads to what we believe right now as Catholic Christians, that while Jesus Christ is the savior of the world,
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That unless someone is brought into communion with the church, they may not partake of the Eucharist. And this isn't just a church rule. This goes all the way back to even the type of the Eucharist, where unless you're brought into that covenant, unless you're brought into the family of the people of God, you may not participate in the sacrificial meal. Okay. So not only that.
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So here's the lamb possibly brought in for a whole week because of circumcision. but also here's what I like to think. Here is a lamb that is brought into your house and you're caring for the lamb, right? Because it has to be unblemished. So you have to keep it inside so that the lamb doesn't become blemished, doesn't get hurt, doesn't get damaged in any way. Have you ever had the situation where
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One of the kids brings home a stray pet and maybe one of the adults is like, nope, get that thing out of here. I don't want any pets. I don't want that dog. I don't want that cat. And then by the end of the week, they're the ones who are like sneaking the food to the pet. They're sneaking the food to the animal that was brought in.
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This is kind of part of the idea is that the lamb has value on its own, but it lives with you for a week and then it becomes precious to you. The sacrificial lamb has value on its own, but when it lives with you for a week, then it becomes precious to you. When you sacrifice it, when you offer it, it is a sign of that trust, a sign of that gift that actually means something.
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And something there is true when it comes to us for our participation in the mass is, is the Lord Jesus, who is the sacrificial lamb, is he precious to us? When we have the preparation for the altar, do we put down on the altar that thing, those things that are precious to us?
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Or do we just kind of approach the Lord knowing that, yep, he has value in and of himself, like ultimate value, but there's no value in our own hearts? Something to think about. Last thing, last thing, because there's so much to say. They mark their homes, the doorposts and the lintel with the blood of the lamb. And you can see this for three reasons.
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One, because as it explicitly says in scripture in Exodus chapter 12, it says when the destroyer, when the angel of death comes by, he will see the blood and pass over those houses. That's why it's called Passover, number one. Number two, because of the fact that lambs in Egypt were considered sacred.
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And so here are these people of Israel who have taken a sacred object, sacred animal, to the Egyptians at least, and they have now sacrificed them as part of their worship of the Lord God. And now they have not just done that in their homes privately.
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Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the 10th day of this month, they shall take every man a lamb according to their father's houses, a lamb for a household. And if the household is too small for a lamb, then a man and his neighbor next to his house shall take according to the number of persons, according to what each can eat, you shall take your count for the lamb.
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They have then marked their outside of their homes, their lintel and the two doorposts with the blood of lambs that in Egypt would be considered sacred. One of the things that they're doing there is they're burning their ships, right? They're burning their bridges.
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They're saying like, we can't go back here because you've just kind of done this thing that is possibly considered blasphemy, sacrilegious or worse to the people of Egypt. And so it actually kind of helps them on their way out the door and to not come back because as we are going to hear later on, they're going to want to come back.
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But the last reason possibly for marking their homes, not just their homes, marking their doorposts and lintel with the blood of the lamb is something I came across relatively recently. It's an archeological studies that have happened in Egypt. Egyptian houses were built of this brick, right? But the brick was made out of mud.
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and wasn't kind of lasting, but the doorposts and the lintel were made out of stone. And so what the Egyptians would do is since they believed that one of the things that kept the person living even after death was their name. So what they would do is they would inscribe their own names on the stone of their homes. You wouldn't do it on the mud bricks because those would pass away.
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But you would inscribe your name on the doorpost made of stone or on the lintel made of stone. And so if the Israelites who had lived here for 430 years kind of were influenced by the Egyptians, most likely their homes would have stone lintel and stone doorposts with their names inscribed on them. And so here they are covering their names with the blood of the lamb. And what is that?
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Here we have been covered by the blood of the Lamb. As Christians, here we are not just marked by the Lord, but are being covered by the Lord, being transformed by the Lord and his sacrifice on the cross. And the type of this is seen in Exodus chapter 12, when the people of Israel cover their own names with the blood of the lamb.
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And it's those things, eating the flesh of the lamb and being marked by its blood that give them freedom and give them life. And this is the exact same thing that happens to us in the Eucharist. We receive the Eucharist. We eat the flesh of this lamb of God and we drink the blood of the lamb of God. And it gives us freedom and it gives us life. What a gift.
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Using the Great Adventure Bible Timeline, we'll read all the way from Genesis to Revelation, discovering how the story of salvation unfolds and how we fit into that story today. This is day 30. Oh my gosh, it is day 34. Holy smokes, what a gift. We are reading from Exodus chapter 12.
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I know this is a longer podcast, but wow, what a gift and what a connection with the way in which we can go to Mass from now on. Oh my gosh, I cannot wait to keep on going and journeying with the people of Israel because things get even dicier. I mean, they've been dicey, but they get even dicier. But that's kind of like life. Our lives have been dicey.
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They are dicey and they just seem to keep getting dicier. So praise the Lord for the Lord. and that he's leading us on this journey and for each other. Let's keep praying for each other. I am praying for you. Please, please, please pray for me. My name is Father Mike. I cannot wait to see you all tomorrow. God bless.
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Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old. You shall take it from the sheep or from the goats, and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month. When the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill the lambs in the evening, then they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat them.
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They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted, with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it. Do not eat any of it raw or boiled with water, but roasted, its head with its legs and its inner parts. and you shall let none of it remain until the morning. Anything that remains until the morning you shall burn.
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In this manner you shall eat it, your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. You shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord's Passover, for I will pass through the land of Egypt that night. And I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast, and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments. I am the Lord.
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The blood shall be a sign for you upon the houses where you are, and when I see the blood I will pass over you. And no plague shall fall upon you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. Let's read it. that person shall be cut off from Israel. On the first day you shall hold a holy assembly, and on the seventh day a holy assembly.
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No work shall be done on those days, but what every one must eat, that only may be prepared by you. And you shall observe the feast of unleavened bread, for on this very day I brought your houses out of the land of Egypt. Therefore you shall observe this day throughout your generations as an ordinance forever."
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In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, at evening, you shall eat unleavened bread, and so until the twenty-first day of the month at evening. For seven days no leaven shall be found in your houses, for if anyone eats what is leavened, that person shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he is a sojourner or a native of the land. You shall eat nothing leavened.
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In all your dwellings you shall eat unleavened bread. Then Moses called all the elders of Israel and said to them, Select lambs for yourselves according to your families and kill the Passover lamb. Take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood which is in the basin and touch the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood which is in the basin.
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It is a long chapter in the book of Exodus, but it is also the chapter in which, oh my gosh, there is so much foreshadowing of what the Lord God not only did for the people of Israel, but also what the Lord God has done for us and for the entire world. That's Exodus chapter 12, also Leviticus chapter 9 and Psalm 114. I am always, I'm reading from the Revised Standard Version, Catholic edition.
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And none of you shall go out of the door of his house until the morning. For the Lord will pass through to slay the Egyptians, and when he sees the blood on your lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to slay you. You shall observe this rite as an ordinance for you and for your sons forever.
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And when you come to the land which the Lord will give you as he has promised, you shall keep this service." And when your children say to you, what do you mean by the sacrifice? You shall say, it is the sacrifice of the Lord's Passover. For he passed over the houses of the sons of Israel in Egypt when he slew the Egyptians, but spared our houses. And the people bowed their heads and worshiped.
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Then the sons of Israel went and did so, as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did. At midnight the Lord struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of the cattle.
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And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he and all his servants, and all the Egyptians, and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where one was not dead. And he summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, Rise up, go forth from among my people, both you and the sons of Israel, and go serve the Lord as you have said.
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Take your flocks and your herds as you have also said and be gone and bless me also.
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and the egyptians were urgent with the people to send them out of the land in haste for they said we are all dead men so the people took their dough before it was leavened their kneading bowls being bound up in their mantles on their shoulders the sons of israel had also done as moses told them for they had asked of the egyptians jewelry of silver and of gold and of clothing
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Hi, my name is Father Mike Schmitz, and you're listening to the Bible in a Year podcast, where we encounter God's voice and live life through the lens of Scripture. The Bible in a Year podcast is brought to you by Ascension.
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And the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked. Thus they despoiled the Egyptians. And the sons of Israel journeyed from Ranzes to Sukkoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot besides women and children. A mixed multitude also went up with them, and very many cattle, both flocks and herds.
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and they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they had brought out of egypt for it was not leavened because they were thrust out of egypt and could not tarry neither had they prepared for themselves any provisions the time that the sons of israel dwelt in egypt was four hundred and thirty years
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And at the end of 430 years, on that very day, all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt. It was a night of watching by the Lord to bring them out of the land of Egypt. So this same night is a night of watching kept to the Lord by all the sons of Israel throughout their generations. And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the Passover.
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No foreigner shall eat of it, but every slave that is bought for money may eat of it after you have circumcised him. No sojourner or hired servant may eat of it. In one house shall it be eaten. You shall not carry forth any of the flesh outside the house, and you shall not break a bone of it. All the congregation of Israel shall keep it.
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And when a stranger shall sojourn with you and would keep the Passover to the Lord, let all his males be circumcised. Then he may come near and keep it. He shall be as a native of the land, but no uncircumcised person shall eat of it. There shall be one law for the native and for the stranger who sojourns among you.
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Thus did all the sons of Israel, as the Lord commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did. And on that very day, the Lord brought the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their hosts.
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I'm using the Great Adventure Bible from Ascension. If you want to follow along, you can get the Great Adventure Bible from Amazon or from ascensionpress.com. Also at ascensionpress.com for free, you can get your Bible in a Year reading plan personalized to you if you put your name on it. If you just type in ascensionpress.com slash Bible in a Year, you can download that.
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On the eighth day, Moses called Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel.
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And he said to Aaron, take a bull calf for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering, both without blemish and offer them before the Lord and say to the sons of Israel, take a male goat for a sin offering and a calf and a lamb, both a year old without blemish for a burnt offering and an ox and a ram for peace offerings to sacrifice before the Lord and
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and a cereal offering mixed with oil for today the Lord will appear to you. And they brought what Moses commanded before the tent of meeting and all the congregation drew near and stood before the Lord. And Moses said, this is the thing which the Lord commanded you to do and the glory of the Lord will appear to you.
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Then Moses said to Aaron, draw near to the altar and offer your sin offering and your burnt offering and make atonement for yourself and for the people. and bring the offering of the people, and make atonement for them, as the Lord has commanded. So Aaron drew near to the altar, and killed the calf of the sin offering which was for himself.
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And the sons of Aaron presented the blood to him, and he dipped his finger in the blood, and put it on the horns of the altar, and poured out the blood at the base of the altar. But the fat and the kidneys, and the appendage of the liver from the sin offering he burned upon the altar. as the Lord commanded Moses. The flesh and the skin he burned with fire outside the camp.
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And he killed the burnt offering and Aaron's sons delivered to him the blood and he threw it on the altar round about. And they delivered the burnt offering to him piece by piece and the head and he burned them upon the altar and he washed the entrails and the legs and burned them with the burnt offering. on the altar.
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Then he presented the people's offering and took the goat of the sin offering, which was for the people, and killed it and offered it for sin like the first sin offering. And he presented the burnt offering and offered it according to the ordinance. And he presented the cereal offering and filled his hand from it and burned it on the altar besides the burnt offering of the morning.
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He killed the ox also, and the ram, the sacrifice of peace offerings for the people. And Aaron's sons delivered to him the blood which he threw upon the altar round about, and the fat of the ox, and of the ram, the fat tail, and that which covers the entrails, and the kidneys, and the appendage of the liver. And they put the fat upon the breasts, and he burned the fat upon the altar.
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But the breasts and the right thigh Aaron waved for a wave offering before the Lord as Moses commanded. Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them. And he came down from offering the sin offering and the burnt offering and the peace offerings. And Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting.
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And when they came out, they blessed the people and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. And fire came forth from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat upon the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces. Psalm 114, God's wonders at the Exodus.
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When Israel went forth from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language, Judah became his sanctuary, Israel his dominion. The sea looked and fled, Jordan turned back. The mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs. What ails you, O sea, that you flee, O Jordan, that you turn back, O mountains, that you skip like rams, O hills like lambs?
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I'm kind of excited about today's reading. It's just a massive gift and it highlights, again, as I said, four shadows. So much. But in order to understand what the scripture foreshadows, we have to actually get into the scripture itself and what it didn't just foreshadow, but what it did, what it accomplished in the lives of the people of Israel, giving them freedom and giving them life.
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Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, who turns the rock into a pool of water, the flint into a spring of water. Father in heaven, we give you praise. We thank you so much for your word. We thank you for what you revealed to us about our lives in your covenant with the people of Israel.
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They are your chosen people and you are faithful to your covenant always. You have fulfilled your covenant, the covenant that you sealed with the Passover lamb. You fulfilled that in the new and eternal covenant, the blood of the true lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, your son, Jesus Christ.
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that new and eternal covenant, the covenant of the Eucharist, the covenant that's established in the Mass that we are brought into and that renews our reception into your family. Lord God, help us to always, always see your working in our lives and to always approach the Eucharist worthily, to always approach the Mass with hearts that are open, with hearts that have been made new by your grace.
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We make this prayer in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Wow. Okay. Gosh, there's so much to say about the book of Exodus chapter 12. So I'm going to have to limit myself because it is just ridiculous. Such a gift. What an incredible gift. Now, at the same time, it's a hard chapter to read, right?
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Because here is the death of the firstborn in the entire land of Egypt. From, as it says, from Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive in the dungeon. So this can be problematic for us, but remember, we read the whole scripture as a whole. And so one of the things that we remember is that this is in some ways, in so many ways, is justice. What do I mean?
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Well, remember at the very beginning of the book of Exodus, what did Pharaoh do to all of those who were born of the people of Israel? He would kill every one of the males, not just the males that opened the womb, not just the firstborn of the males, but all of the males. And the Lord God had warned Pharaoh through Moses and Aaron that this is what's going to happen unless you let my people go.
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So it wasn't as if this is completely unjust. In fact, it's not unjust at all. God is never unjust. God is completely 100% just. God is justice himself. And so what we know is that the people of Egypt, the Pharaoh had 100% opportunity to repent because God is completely just. And so in mysterious way, this is, as I said, it's 100% just. So let's move on just because I can say it.
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And if someone is going to be skeptical about that, then they remain skeptical. Or if I can say it, you know, like, okay, yep, I'm reassured. I remember that God has proven this to us many, many times. And he proves this to us after this section of the scripture as well.
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Remember he proved when it came to Abraham and Sodom and Gomorrah, where God demonstrated, yep, if there's even one, essentially one righteous person, I will not destroy the city. So similarly, here's the participation of all the people of Egypt in the slavery and oppression and death, the murder of the children of those who are Israelites. Okay.
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So moving on, my goodness, let's just look at two more things. One is, um, we recognize that the lamb is a, what they call a type, and it is a type of Jesus himself. In fact, not only does St. Paul say that Jesus is our Passover lamb, but also St. John the Baptist says of Jesus, behold, the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Not only that, but also John the evangelist, right?
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In the gospel of John, He makes a point of saying that Jesus was crucified at the same moment when in the temple they were slaughtering the Passover lambs. There is this massive connection between the lambs of Passover and Jesus himself, who is the true lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. So what is happening?
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you have the lamb and the lamb is brought into the home and the lamb is brought into the home for a week. So essentially that comes in on Sunday and ultimately as the Passover ritual becomes more formalized, it is celebrated then on Friday, right? So here is the lamb that comes in on Sunday. That's Palm Sunday is fast forward. Um, But the lamb dwells in the home of the people of Israel.