Podcast Summary: Day 211: Called by Name (2025) – The Bible in a Year with Fr. Mike Schmitz

Introduction

In episode Day 211 of The Bible in a Year podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz delves deep into the Scriptures, guiding listeners through a transformative journey of faith and understanding. This episode, titled "Called by Name," explores passages from Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Proverbs, offering rich commentary, reflections, and prayers that highlight God's unwavering presence and redemption of His people.

Overview of Day 211 Readings

• Isaiah Chapters 43-44 (Book of Consolation):

  • Focuses on God’s promises of redemption and His personal relationship with Israel.

• Ezekiel Chapters 4-5:

  • Presents Ezekiel’s symbolic actions portraying the impending siege and judgment on Jerusalem.

• Proverbs 12:5-8:

  • Contrasts the thoughts and actions of the righteous versus the wicked.

Key Themes and Discussions

1. God’s Assurance and Redemption (Isaiah 43-44):

   • Divine Ownership and Protection:

     • God emphasizes His personal relationship with Israel: “I have called you by name, you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1).
     • Assurance of His presence through trials: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you” (Isaiah 43:2).

   • Promise of Restoration:

     • God declares His intent to create a new path: “I am doing a new thing now it springs forth” (Isaiah 43:19).
     • The gathering of His scattered people: “I will bring your offspring from the east and from the west I will gather you” (Isaiah 43:5-6).

   • Rejection of Idolatry:

     • God critiques the futility of idol worship: “Who fashions a God, or casts an image that is profitable for nothing?” (Isaiah 44:9).
     • Emphasizes His uniqueness and supremacy: “There is no God besides me” (Isaiah 43:10).

2. Ezekiel’s Prophetic Actions and Visions (Ezekiel 4-5):

   • Symbolic Representations:

     • Laying Siege: Ezekiel acts out the siege of Jerusalem by constructing a model city and simulating the encirclement (Ezekiel 4:1-3).
     • Dietary Restrictions: Portrays the defilement and hardship by eating bread baked on cow dung instead of human waste (Ezekiel 4:12-15).

   • Pronouncement of Judgment:

     • Division of Hair: Cutting his hair and beard symbolizes the division and punishment of Israel and Judah (Ezekiel 5:1-4).
     • Tri-Part Punishment: Represents destruction by famine, sword, and scattering to the winds (Ezekiel 5:5-17).

   • Consequences of Rebellion:

     • Highlights the severity of Israel’s disobedience: “Therefore, fathers shall eat their sons in the midst of you, and sons shall eat their fathers” (Ezekiel 5:12).

3. The Frailty of Idolatry (Proverbs 12:5-8):

   • Righteous vs. Wicked:

     • Contrasts the integrity of the righteous with the deceitfulness of the wicked: “The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers men” (Proverbs 12:6).

   • Consequences of Wickedness:

     • Emphasizes the ultimate downfall of the wicked: “The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand” (Proverbs 12:7).

Notable Quotes and Insights

• Fr. Mike Schmitz on Isaiah’s Assurance:

  "Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name, you are mine." (Isaiah 43:1) – Fr. Mike emphasizes the personal relationship God has with each individual, offering comfort and assurance amidst trials.

• On Ezekiel’s Symbolic Actions:

  "Ezekiel is enacting in visual form what had happened and what would happen to the people of God because they had turned against the Lord." (Transcript, 18:30) – Highlighting the dramatic nature of Ezekiel’s prophecies to convey divine messages.

• Proverbs on Righteousness:

  "The thoughts of the righteous are just. The counsels of the wicked are treacherous." (Proverbs 12:5) – Fr. Mike underscores the moral compass provided by righteous living versus the pitfalls of wickedness.

Fr. Mike's Reflections and Applications

Fr. Mike Schmitz draws profound connections between the readings, emphasizing God's unwavering commitment to His people even in the face of severe judgment and hardship. He reflects on:

• Pre-Exilic Promises:

  • The promises in Isaiah are made before the exile, assuring the people of God's enduring presence despite impending calamities.

• Personal Relevance:

  • Encourages listeners to internalize God’s promise, especially during personal trials: “Today may seem like the worst day of your life, but God still says today and every day, I've called you by name, and you are mine.”

• Ezekiel’s Role:

  • Highlights Ezekiel’s unique prophetic style as a “performance art prophet,” using actions to vividly depict God’s messages and the consequences of Israel’s disobedience.

• Call to Repentance and Faith:

  • Stresses the recurring prophetic theme of returning to God with all one’s heart, even amidst suffering: “Come back to the Lord with all your heart.”

Conclusion

Day 211 of The Bible in a Year with Fr. Mike Schmitz offers a compelling exploration of God’s redemptive love and unwavering presence amidst judgment and hardship. Through the profound messages in Isaiah, the dramatic prophecies of Ezekiel, and the moral teachings of Proverbs, listeners are reminded of God’s personal call to each individual and His promise to be with them through every season of life. Fr. Mike’s insightful reflections encourage believers to trust in God’s plan, repent from sin, and remain steadfast in faith, knowing they are deeply loved and personally known by the Creator.

Attachments:

• Notable Scripture References:

  • Isaiah 43:1-2, 5-6, 19
  • Ezekiel 4:1-15, 5:1-17
  • Proverbs 12:5-8

• Prayer:

  "Father in heaven we give you praise... Help us to turn to you this day and every day. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen." (Transcript, 27:45)

• Upcoming Topics:

  • Fr. Mike hints at discussing Cyrus further in the next episode, linking his role in history with God’s overarching plan as revealed in Isaiah 44-45.

Final Thoughts

This episode serves as a powerful reminder of God’s intimate knowledge of our lives and His steadfast promise to be with us through every challenge. Fr. Mike Schmitz skillfully bridges the ancient texts with contemporary faith applications, making the Bible's timeless truths accessible and relevant for today’s listeners.