Summary of "BONUS: How to Hear God's Voice in Scripture"

The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz), Ascension
Episode Date: December 26, 2025

Episode Overview

In this special bonus episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz addresses one central question: How can we truly hear God’s voice in Scripture? Rather than reading from the Bible, he offers practical teachings and encouragement for listeners on engaging deeply with the Bible—not just for understanding stories, but for actual communication with God. Fr. Mike outlines five core tips to help anyone seeking to encounter God through the Bible, drawing from Church teaching, personal anecdotes, and clear examples.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Know What You’re Reading: Genre and Context Matter

[00:30 – 05:50]

• Scripture is not a collection of inspirational quotes or a “magic eight ball” of answers.
• The Bible contains diverse genres: historical narratives, legal codes, wisdom literature (e.g., Proverbs, Psalms), Gospels (biographical, but unique), parables, and more.
  • Quote: “The Bible...is a mix. Some books are historical. Some...have a narrative that we follow...legal, like Leviticus...Proverbs, wisdom books, Psalms...Gospels...parables...not meant to be taken literally.” (Fr. Mike, 03:30)
• Parables often convey spiritual truths, not universal rules (e.g., Parable of the Ten Virgins).
• Be attentive to human authorship: God speaks through human words, shaped by time, place, culture, and language.
  • Quote: “The words of God expressed in the words of men are in every way like human language.” (Fr. Mike, quoting Catechism, 04:45)
• Catechism references: Paragraphs 101 & 102 on God’s condescension in speaking through human words.

2. Interpretation: Four Principles for Reading Scripture

[05:50 – 17:45] Fr. Mike draws on the Catechism to lay out four vital principles:

1. Sacred Author’s Intention

   • Take into account time, culture, literary style, and context.
   • Anecdote: Fr. Mike relates his experience in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, struggling to connect due to different humor and references despite a common language (English), illustrating how vital context is.
     • Quote: “We were all speaking English. But, all the references...I didn't get their jokes. We were different cultures.” (Fr. Mike, 08:45)
   • Study what the author meant in their original context, not just our own time.

2. Content and Unity of Scripture

   • The Bible’s various books do not contradict but inform each other.
   • Example: The Book of Job’s questions about God’s justice are illuminated by reading all of Scripture together.
     • Quote: “We read every text in context and in light of the rest of the Bible.” (Fr. Mike, 11:35)

3. Living Tradition of the Whole Church

   • Interpret Scripture within the context of Sacred Tradition and the Church's magisterium.
   • Revelation is not limited to the written word but includes oral Tradition and Church teaching.

4. Analogy of Faith

   • Interpretations must cohere with the truths of faith and the entire plan of revelation.
     • Quote: “If you're interpreting something that goes against any truths of the faith...I have not been attentive to the analogy of faith.” (Fr. Mike, 14:12)

3. The Senses of Scripture: Literal and Spiritual

[17:45 – 23:55]

• Literal Sense: The foundational, direct meaning intended by the author.
  • Example: "David entered the city of Jerusalem leaping and dancing before the Ark." The literal sense is just what is stated.
• Spiritual Senses: Built on the literal, these unfold deeper significance, divided into:
  1. Allegorical: Connects Old Testament events/figures to Christ (e.g., Red Sea crossing prefigures baptism; David dancing before the Ark prefigures John the Baptist leaping before Mary, the new Ark).
     • Quote: “David is an allegory...the fulfillment...in Luke’s Gospel—John the Baptist leaping for joy in front of Our Lady and Jesus in her womb.” (Fr. Mike, 20:20)
  2. Moral: How the text leads to righteous living (e.g., our call to worship God with joy, like David).
  3. Anagogical: Points us toward heavenly realities (e.g., eternal worship before God in heaven).
• The Church’s tradition offers a “playground” for interpretation, within clear boundaries.
  • Quote: “There’s just this playfulness among the saints...because they got so used to being firmly ensconced in the teachings of the Church.” (Fr. Mike, 22:55)

4. Read with the Attitude That the Bible Has Something to Teach You

[23:55 – 26:05]

• Approach Scripture with humility and openness, not skepticism or criticism.
  • Questions are good, but not cynicism.
  • Quote: “To read the Bible like it has something to teach me, that means I’m reading the words of God in the words of men, with trust...I trust you even when I don’t understand.” (Fr. Mike, 24:55)
• The limitations in our understanding often stem from cultural and historical distance, not just divine mystery.

5. Keep Going—Perseverance Through Difficulties

[26:05 – End]

• When confronted with confusing, tedious, or seemingly repetitive passages, don’t stop.
  • Perseverance rewards the reader; later passages often clarify earlier confusion.
  • Quote: “Keep on going. ... If I just keep on reading, it usually resolves itself.” (Fr. Mike, 26:55)
• Questions shouldn’t halt progress—let curiosity fuel continued reading.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the Purpose of Genre Awareness:
  “Sometimes we approach the Bible like it’s a magic eight ball...the Bible is a mix.” (Fr. Mike, 03:10)
• On Human Authorship:
  “He (God) condescends to us, and he speaks to us in human words.” (Fr. Mike, 05:10)
• On Interpretation:
  “We read every text in context and in light of the rest of the Bible.” (Fr. Mike, 11:35)
• On Living Tradition:
  “Part of God’s revelation is the written word, but part...is also the sacred tradition...through the magisterium.” (Fr. Mike, 12:45)
• On the Senses of Scripture:
  “The literal sense is the basis...every other sense is based off the literal.” (Fr. Mike, 18:10)
• On Openness to Learning:
  "Read like the Bible has something to teach you...with trust, even when I don't understand." (Fr. Mike, 24:55)
• On Perseverance:
  “Keep on going. ...Usually resolves itself.” (Fr. Mike, 26:55)

Key Timestamps

• 00:30 – 05:50: The challenge of genre and why it matters
• 05:50 – 17:45: Fourfold method of interpretation (with cultural anecdotes)
• 17:45 – 23:55: Literal and spiritual senses—allegorical, moral, anagogical explained
• 23:55 – 26:05: The right attitude—letting the Bible teach you
• 26:05 – End: Importance of persistence, encouragement to keep reading

Conclusion

Fr. Mike’s five tips for hearing God’s voice in Scripture form a practical and spiritually rich approach for listeners at any stage in their Bible journey:

1. Understand what you’re reading—its genre, context, and divine-human voice.
2. Use proper principles of interpretation (author’s intent, unity, tradition, analogy of faith).
3. Recognize the literal and spiritual senses of every passage.
4. Approach Scripture as a disciple, eager to learn, not as a skeptic.
5. Keep going through the hard parts—perseverance brings clarity.

“We are going to be doing this podcast—and it is going to be...so good. I cannot wait to take this journey with you.” (Fr. Mike, 28:10)