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

Episode: Day 228: The Watchman's Duty
Date: August 16, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz (Ascension)

Episode Overview

On Day 228, Fr. Mike guides listeners through Jeremiah 5, Ezekiel 33, and Proverbs 14:21-24. The episode is centered on the sobering responsibility of the prophet or watchman: faithfully warning others of spiritual peril. Fr. Mike reflects on the collapse of Jerusalem as a watershed moment in salvation history and explores how both ancient prophecy and wisdom literature challenge us to repent—not only with our actions, but from the depths of our hearts. He especially highlights the temptation for even religious people to resist true repentance, emphasizing our collective need to be convicted by God’s word.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Watchman’s Duty – Call to Accountable Leadership

(Ezekiel 33, Reflection starts 16:35)

• God charges Ezekiel as a watchman for Israel: when he sees danger (sin or destruction) approaching, his job is to warn people, not to guarantee their response.
• “He had one of those ‘you had one job’ kind of situations.” (Fr. Mike, 17:01)
• The accountability is twofold:
  • If Ezekiel (the prophet/watchman) fails to warn the people, their blood is on his hands.
  • If he warns them and they ignore it, the responsibility is theirs.
• Fr. Mike connects this to the New Testament (James 3): “Not many of you should aspire to be teachers, my brothers, because those of you who are teachers will be liable to a greater judgment.” (18:35)
• Teaching God’s truth, even when it’s hard, is a core Christian responsibility—applies to priests, parents, teachers, and all baptized as “prophet, priest, and king.”

2. The Fall of Jerusalem – Loss, Hope, and Consequence

(Ezekiel 33, Reflection at 20:40)

• Historical Pivot: The exiles in Babylon had hoped Jerusalem would survive, but Ezekiel receives news (33:21) that the city has actually fallen.
• This marks a devastating and definitive moment: not only is the temple destroyed, but hope in immediate rescue evaporates.
• Fr. Mike notes how exiles clung to the illusion that “at least worship is happening in the temple,” now shattered by the news of utter destruction.

3. Hearing vs. Doing God’s Word—The Danger of False Peace

(Ezekiel 33:30-33, Reflection at 22:34)

• God laments that people listen to the prophet “like one who sings love songs,” but they “will not do it.” (23:20)
• Fr. Mike draws a parallel to modern Christians:
  • “That's all of us, right? We've been listening to the word of God for 228 days, and still we struggle with sin.” (23:50)
  • The temptation remains to only hear, not act—leading to empty outward religion unaccompanied by true repentance.

4. The Rebellious Human Heart – No One Exempt

(Jeremiah 5, Reflection at 25:10)

• Jeremiah laments both the poor (uneducated) and the great (wise/educated) have rebelled:
  • “We sometimes think those who are wise, those who are educated, when they hear the word of God, they'll repent. ...But they all alike had broken the yoke.” (26:15)
• Rebellion is universal—it's not about knowledge, status, or power. From the two-year-old to the Fortune 50 CEO, all are capable of turning from God.
• True conversion requires more than outward action: “We’re all called ... to submit ourselves to the Lord. Because that's the only way we can come back.” (27:18)

5. False Prophets & The Sin of Scandal

(Jeremiah 5:11-14, Reflection at 20:30 & 28:44)

• Jeremiah faced opposition from prophets who “prophesy what people wanted to hear" instead of God's hard truth (29:05).
  • “The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule at their direction. My people love to have it so. But what will you do when the end comes?” (Jeremiah 5:31, ~29:30)
• Fr. Mike connects this to modern Christians who “fail to live up to our call," providing scandal when our actions contradict God’s word.

6. God’s Justice and Mercy

(Ezekiel 33:10-20, Reflection at 19:40)

• God does not desire the death of the wicked, but their conversion:
  • “Say to them: ‘As I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways...’” (Ezekiel 33:11)
• The door to mercy is open, but it's a daily call—not to presume on God’s patience.

7. Proverbs’ Call to True Wisdom

(Reflection at 31:05)

• Proverbs reaffirms: true happiness is found in kindness, diligent work, and wisdom—not “mere talk.”
• Fr. Mike prays for wisdom “not just as the end, but as a goal ... so that we can have you as our end.” (31:25)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the weight of spiritual leadership:
  • “Those who are pastors, those who are priests, those who are prophets, those who are teachers—all those who have a responsibility to teach others, we have to teach them the truth. We have to speak the truth even when it's hard.” (18:05)
• On rebellion being universal:
  • “A two year old has no power, can be rebellious. But also so can a 92 year old. ...Every single one of us. Those who are outside the church and those who are leaders in the church, we can all be rebellious.” (26:38)
• On the tragic outcome of empty listening:
  • “They’ll come and listen to you, and they’ll sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say, but they will not do it. For with their lips they show much love, but their heart is set on gain.” (22:45)
• On choosing daily conversion:
  • “We have had prophets speak to us ... and yet we're so slow. I am so slow in repenting. So I ask for your prayers. Help me repent to the core of my heart, not just on the surface, not just in my actions, but even the depths of my thought.” (30:09)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:04 – Episode intro and readings announced: Jeremiah 5, Ezekiel 33, Proverbs 14:21–24
• 16:35 – The Watchman’s Duty explained/expounded
• 18:35 – The higher standard for teachers and leaders (James 3)
• 19:40 – God’s justice and mercy in forgiveness and consequences
• 20:40 – The Fall of Jerusalem: Meaning and impact for the exiles
• 22:34 – The difference between hearing and doing God's word
• 25:10 – Universal rebellion; no one is exempt from the need to repent
• 29:30 – False prophets and the sin of scandal
• 31:05 – Proverbs: The pursuit of wisdom
• 31:25–32:30 – Concluding prayer and personal appeals for authentic repentance

Final Thoughts

Fr. Mike challenges listeners to embrace the uncomfortable call to prophecy in their own lives—speaking the truth, living with integrity, and never settling for half-hearted discipleship. The fall of Jerusalem becomes a warning for every generation: “We have had prophets speak to us, right? ...and yet we're so slow. I am so slow in repenting.” (30:09) This poignant reminder is coupled with hope—God's ongoing invitation to turn back and live truly, not just in outward acts but “to the core, to the depths of your heart and to the depths of your mind.” (30:40)

Action Point: Pray for the grace to be convicted by God’s word and to respond not with empty words, but authentic, courageous change.

Host’s Parting Words:
“I’m praying for you. Please pray for me that I also can say, ‘Thy will be done.’” (32:25)

For further exploration:

• Examine Ezekiel 33 and Jeremiah 5 side by side to see the interplay of judgement and hope.
• Reflect on your own role as “watchman”—who are you called to gently warn or guide?
• Ask: Where am I merely listening, and where am I truly acting on God’s word?