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

Episode: Day 181: Jonah and the Whale (2025)
Release Date: June 30, 2025
Duration: 20-25 minutes

Introduction

Fr. Mike Schmitz welcomes listeners to Day 181 of "The Bible in a Year" podcast, emphasizing the journey through the entire Bible using the Great Adventure Bible Timeline developed by Jeff Cavins. He outlines the day's readings:

• 2 Kings, Chapter 15
• The Book of Jonah, Chapters 1-4
• Psalm 138

Notable Quote:

[00:04] Fr. Mike Schmitz: "You're listening to the Bible in a Year podcast where we encounter God's voice and live life through the lens of Scripture."

Reading and Commentary on 2 Kings, Chapter 15

Fr. Mike delves into 2 Kings 15, highlighting the reigns of various kings in Judah and Israel during a tumultuous period leading up to the exile. He outlines the leadership of:

• Azariah (Uzziah): Begins his reign at 16, doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord but fails to remove the high places, resulting in his affliction with leprosy.
  [00:40] Fr. Mike: "Azariah did what was right... nevertheless, the high places were not taken away."

• Zechariah: Reigns over Israel for six months, continues evil practices, and is assassinated by Shallum.
  [04:15] Fr. Mike: "Zechariah the son of Jeroboam... did what was evil in the sight of the Lord."

• Shallum and Menachem: Both have brief and tumultuous reigns marked by violence and oppressive actions against their people.
  [06:30] Fr. Mike: "Menachem sacked Tapuah and... ripped up all the women in it who were with child."

• Pekahiah and Pekah: Continue the cycle of evil, leading to further instability and eventual Assyrian intervention.
  [09:50] Fr. Mike: "Pekah... reigned 20 years... did what was evil in the sight of the Lord."

Fr. Mike connects these historical accounts to the impending exile, setting the stage for a period of deep reflection and prophetic voices.

Notable Quote:

[15:45] Fr. Mike Schmitz: "In the days of Pekah, king of Israel, Tiglath-Pileser, king of Assyria, came and captured Ijon, Abel, Betmeakah..."

Reading and Commentary on The Book of Jonah, Chapters 1-4

Fr. Mike transitions to the Book of Jonah, exploring Jonah's initial flight from God's command to preach to Nineveh. He narrates:

• Jonah's Flight and the Storm: Jonah attempts to escape to Tarshish, resulting in a severe storm sent by God. The sailors, recognizing Jonah's disobedience, reluctantly throw him into the sea, calming the tempest.
  [18:10] Fr. Mike: "Jonah is thrown into the sea and swallowed."

• Jonah's Deliverance: Inside the great fish for three days and nights, Jonah prays to God, expressing his distress and gratitude for being saved.
  [22:30] Fr. Mike: "Jonah's prayer and deliverance... 'I called to the Lord out of my distress.'"

• Nineveh's Repentance: God commands Jonah a second time to go to Nineveh. Reluctantly, Jonah preaches, leading to the city's profound repentance, including fasting and sackcloth worn by both people and animals.
  [25:15] Fr. Mike: "The people of Nineveh believed God. They proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth."

• Jonah's Anger: Despite the people's repentance, Jonah is displeased and prays for his own demise. God responds by teaching Jonah a lesson about compassion using a plant and a worm.
  [28:45] Fr. Mike: "Jonah's Anger... 'Is not this what I said when I was yet in my country?'"

Fr. Mike emphasizes the themes of obedience, repentance, and God's boundless mercy, contrasting Jonah's limited understanding with God's expansive compassion.

Notable Quote:

[34:20] Fr. Mike Schmitz: "Should I not pity Nineveh, that great city in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle."

Reading and Reflection on Psalm 138

Fr. Mike proceeds to Psalm 138, a Psalm of David, focusing on thanksgiving and praise. He reads and reflects on verses that celebrate God's mercy, faithfulness, and overarching glory despite human shortcomings.
Examples from the transcript:

• "I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart."
• "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life."
• "Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever."

He underscores the personal connection and trust in God's attentive and loving nature, encouraging listeners to bring their genuine hearts and needs before God.
Final Reflection:

[45:10] Fr. Mike Schmitz: "We know that you hear every one of our prayers. We know that you know all of our needs... The secret of the heart and you are the answer."

Insights and Lessons

Fr. Mike draws several key insights from the day's readings:

1. Jonah's Reluctance vs. God's Mercy: Jonah's attempt to flee highlights human limitations in understanding divine compassion. Despite his role as a prophet to Israel, God extends mercy to Nineveh, emphasizing that God's love transcends national and cultural boundaries.
   [30:00] Fr. Mike: "God is saying... he is sparing and calling to conversion even people that did not know him."

2. Prophetic Authenticity: Contrasting Jonah with other prophets like Amos, Fr. Mike illustrates the importance of delivering God's true message, even when it's uncomfortable, and allowing it to transform our own hearts.
   [38:15] Fr. Mike: "Hopefully we're not like prophets like Jonah... we're prophets like Amos."

3. Personal Application: Encouraging listeners to embody prophetic lives by embracing truth, seeking personal conversion, and extending mercy and justice as reflections of God's character.
   [40:50] Fr. Mike: "Let that truth convert our hearts... living out that truth as prophetically, lives, witnesses and testimony to Jesus."

4. Community and Prayer: Emphasizing the collective journey, Fr. Mike encourages mutual prayer and support among listeners to navigate the challenges of living out Scripture in daily life.
   [43:30] Fr. Mike: "Pray for each other... embrace the challenge. Pray for each other. I'm praying for you. Please pray for me."

Notable Quote:

[50:25] Fr. Mike Schmitz: "Deliverance belongs to the Lord. And we cannot wait to see you tomorrow."

Conclusion

Fr. Mike wraps up the episode by reinforcing the day's teachings on obedience, repentance, and God's boundless mercy. He invites listeners to continue their journey through the Bible with renewed understanding and commitment to living out its lessons.

Final Words:

[54:10] Fr. Mike Schmitz: "My name is Father Mike and I cannot wait to see you tomorrow. God bless."

Key Takeaways

• Obedience to God's Call: Despite personal reservations, following God's direction leads to profound transformation, both personally and communally.

• God’s Universal Mercy: God's compassion extends beyond traditional boundaries, offering redemption to all who genuinely repent.

• Role of Prophets: Authentic prophetic ministry involves delivering God's truth diligently, even when it challenges personal comfort or societal norms.

• Personal Reflection and Community Support: Encouraging personal growth through Scripture and mutual prayer strengthens the faith journey.

This episode of "The Bible in a Year" provides a deep dive into leadership during times of crisis, the transformative power of repentance, and the expansive nature of God's mercy, offering listeners both historical context and personal application to enrich their understanding of Scripture.