Podcast Summary

Podcast: The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Episode: Day 103: Judas' Secrecy
Date: April 13, 2026
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz (Ascension)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz reads and reflects on John chapters 13-15 and Proverbs 6:6-11, focusing on the events of the Last Supper. He explores the themes of secrecy and betrayal (specifically Judas’ hidden life), Jesus’ acts of service, His “new commandment,” the promise of the Holy Spirit, and the importance of abiding in Christ. Fr. Mike applies these scriptural lessons to personal spiritual life, emphasizing self-examination, vulnerability in community, and dependence on Christ.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Washing of the Disciples’ Feet

• Scripture Reference: John 13:1-17 (00:30-02:49)
• Jesus, fully aware of his coming passion, humbly washes the disciples’ feet, modeling servanthood and humility:
  • “No servant is greater than his master...as I have done so you also must do.”
• Fr. Mike highlights the radical nature of this gesture:
  • “Jesus said, 'I did not come to be served but to serve and give my life as a ransom for many.'” (19:25)

2. Judas’ Secrecy and Betrayal

• Scripture Reference: John 13:18-30 (02:50-04:17)
• Jesus foretells betrayal. Disciples are baffled by whom he means—nobody suspects Judas despite years together.
• Fr. Mike’s Reflection:
  • “Judas must have been living such a private life even in the midst of these brothers of his...and yet he had this secret life, this secret in his heart.” (21:30)
  • Fr. Mike muses that hidden sin or unspoken struggle can breed disaster:
    • “If he had just turned to someone...or even better, turned to Jesus...so often we try to go on our own...hide the depth of our heart...” (22:15)
• Key Insight: Community and confession can interrupt cycles of secrecy and sin.

3. Peter’s Denial Foretold

• Scripture Reference: John 13:36-38 (04:38-05:07)
• Jesus predicts Peter’s triple denial, despite Peter’s bravado.
• Fr. Mike:
  • “Actually, Peter, you’re weaker than you think.” (22:54)
  • Even those closest to Jesus can misjudge their strength and need grace.

4. Jesus’ Words of Comfort and Hope

• Scripture Reference: John 14:1-31 (05:08-08:02)
• Jesus assures the disciples he is preparing a place for them and offers the famous declaration:
  • “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me.” (06:05)
• Promise of the Holy Spirit:
  • Jesus calls the Spirit “another consoler,” implying Jesus himself is the first consoler—together, they are the arms of the Father embracing us.
  • “The arms of the Father: One arm being the Son, one arm being the Holy Spirit.” (24:17)

5. The Vine and the Branches – Abiding in Christ

• Scripture Reference: John 15:1-17 (08:03-10:05)
• “I am the vine, you are the branches...apart from me you can do nothing.” (08:47)
• “He doesn’t say you can do less; he says you can do nothing.” (25:05)
• To bear fruit, Christians must live in Christ and keep his commandments, especially loving one another.

6. Christian Love and Friendship

• Scripture Reference: John 15:12-17 (09:25-10:05)
• The “new commandment” is to “love one another even as I have loved you.”
• “Greater love has no man than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (09:41)

7. Perseverance Amidst Worldly Opposition

• Scripture Reference: John 15:18-27 (10:06-11:07)
• Jesus warns, “If the world hates you, know it has hated me before it hated you.”

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Community and Hiding:

  “Judas must have been living such a private life even in the midst of these brothers...he had this secret life, this secret in his heart...if he’d just turned to someone...So often, we try to go on our own...it almost always ends in disaster.”
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz (21:30)

• On the Necessity of Christ:

  “Without me, you can do nothing. He doesn't say you can do less. Too often, in my head, I have Jesus saying, 'Without me, you won't be able to do as much as you can with me.' But he says, 'Without me, you can do nothing.'”
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz (25:05)

• On Consolation:

  “Jesus says, 'I will give you another consoler.' What does that mean? That means he is the first consoler...the arms of the Father reaching out to embrace us—one arm being the Son, one arm being the Holy Spirit.”
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz (24:17)

Key Timestamps

• 00:04 — Introduction & Reading Plan
• 00:30 — Gospel Reading (John 13)
• 03:32 — Jesus Foretells Betrayal; Focus on Judas (Judas' secrecy emerges)
• 04:38 — Jesus Foretells Peter’s Denial
• 05:08 — Jesus Comforts Disciples; “I am the way, the truth, and the life”
• 06:54 — Promise of the Holy Spirit
• 08:03 — Vine and Branches Discourse (John 15)
• 09:41 — “Greater love has no man than this...”
• 11:08 — Proverbs Reading and Prayer
• 19:25–27:12 — Fr. Mike’s Reflection: Judas’ hiddenness, need for authenticity, abiding in Christ

Summary and Reflection

Fr. Mike guides listeners through pivotal moments at the Last Supper, zooming in on the secrecy of Judas’ betrayal—a warning about the perils of spiritual isolation and living with hidden sin. He stresses the value of vulnerability, community, and transparency for spiritual health. Contrasting Judas’ secrecy with Peter’s brashness, he shows how both failing and returning are part of the Christian journey. Jesus’ teachings in these chapters—about love, abiding, and the coming of the Holy Spirit—are not just comfort, but a call to intimate reliance on God, realizing “without me, you can do nothing.”

Final Thoughts

• We all sometimes play the role of Judas (betrayer) or Peter (denier), but the Christian hope is always to return to Christ and abide in Him.
• “When we do find ourselves as the betrayer, as the denier, as the one who has walked away or run away, that we allow the grace of Jesus to bring us back.” (27:07)
• Fr. Mike urges prayer for one another, that all may remain in Christ despite weakness.

Listen for insights on secrecy, vulnerability, spiritual dependence, and the call to abide in Christ’s love amidst real, human failure.