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

Episode: Day 237 – Water from the Temple (2025)
Date: August 25, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz

Episode Overview

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz guides listeners through readings from Jeremiah 18–19, Ezekiel 47–48 (the conclusion of Ezekiel), and Proverbs 15:21–24. The episode spotlights powerful biblical images: the potter and the clay from Jeremiah, the symbolic shattering of the flask, and Ezekiel’s vision of life-giving water flowing from the temple. Fr. Mike provides insightful reflection connecting Old Testament prophecy to Christ and the Church, emphasizing God’s power to reshape lives and fulfill hope even after destruction and exile.

Scripture Readings Covered

• Jeremiah 18–19: The Potter and the Clay; The Broken Earthen Flask
• Ezekiel 47–48: Water from the Temple; Final Allotment of Israel’s Land
• Proverbs 15:21–24: Wisdom vs. Folly

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jeremiah: The Potter, the Clay, and the Judgment Coming

[08:45–14:30]

• Potter and Clay Metaphor:
  God sends Jeremiah to witness a potter reworking spoiled clay, illustrating God’s absolute power as Creator to reshape nations and individuals.

  • Fr. Mike Insight:

    “No matter what our past is, God can say, ‘But in my hands I can give you a future.’…I am the clay, you are the potter.” (09:55)

  • The metaphor reflects both hope (God can remake us no matter how broken) and accountability (even past goodness is by grace, not deserved).

• Israel’s Stubbornness & Idolatry:
  Despite warnings, Israel persists in idolatry, dismissing Jeremiah in favor of voices that tell them what they want to hear.

  • Quote:

    “Basically, we don’t have to listen to Jeremiah because…we’ve still got priests, we’ve still got wise, we’ve still got prophets. We’ll listen to them instead.…But Jeremiah is the only one telling the people what they need to hear.” (12:28)

• Plots Against Jeremiah:
  Rejection culminates in plots against Jeremiah, highlighting his role as the suffering “weeping prophet.” Fr. Mike compares this to Moses’ frustration with Israel, affirming that even the holiest people have limits, but God’s patience is infinite.

  • Quote:

    “…even the holiest people that are among us, they’re still people,…their love and their patience is finite, as opposed to God, whose love is infinite, whose patience is infinite.” (13:40)

2. The Broken Earthen Flask: Symbol of Judgment

[14:31–16:55]

• God instructs Jeremiah to shatter an earthen flask in the Valley of Hinnom—where Israel committed child sacrifice—to symbolize Jerusalem’s impending destruction.
  • Fr. Mike Reflection:

    “If you continue this, this is what’s going to happen. Babylon [is] coming, they’re going to destroy everything here…That’s the symbol, and that’s the message.” (15:30)

• Fr. Mike highlights Jeremiah’s sorrow and love for his people—even as he proclaims judgment. The narrative demonstrates that choices have real, sometimes devastating, consequences.

3. Ezekiel 47–48: The Water from the Temple and Restoration

[16:56–22:30]

• The River Vision:
  Ezekiel sees water flowing from the Temple, growing from a trickle to a mighty river that brings life and abundance—even to the Dead Sea.

  • Symbolism:
    The river is more than literal restoration; it foreshadows spiritual renewal and life brought through the Messiah.
  • Fr. Mike Explains:

    “This living water that comes from the Temple…is a prophecy…not only [that] God is going to bring his people back…ultimately [that] God is going to bring life to this world.” (18:30)

• Christological Fulfillment:
  Fr. Mike draws a parallel to Christ, the true temple. The water and blood flowing from Jesus’ pierced side on the cross (John 19) signify the sacraments, as prefigured in Ezekiel’s vision.

  • Quote:

    “The church fathers…always saw that as a symbol: the water is a symbol of baptism, and the blood is a symbol of…Holy Communion.…Here in Ezekiel, we have this image of water flowing from the right side of the temple.” (20:06) “From the side of the temple…flows out this water that brings life to everything. From Christ’s pierced side…flows out blood and water. And that water gives us new life.” (21:05)

• Land Allotment and Divine Justice:
  The closing chapters describe the re-division of Israel’s land among the tribes—signaling hope, restoration, and the fulfillment of God’s promises.

4. Proverbs: The Way of Wisdom

[22:31–22:58]

• Brief reflection on proverb contrasts:
  • Folly delights the foolish; wisdom leads to life.
  • Value of seeking counsel and giving apt answers.
  • Quote:

    “The wise man’s path leads upward to life, that he may avoid Sheol beneath.” (22:50)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|-------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 09:55 | Fr. Mike | “No matter what our past is, God can say, ‘But in my hands I can give you a future.’ … I am the clay, you are the potter.” | | 12:28 | Fr. Mike | “[The people say] ‘We’ll listen to [false prophets] instead.’…But Jeremiah is the only one telling the people what they need to hear.” | | 15:30 | Fr. Mike | “Babylon [is] coming…they’re going to destroy everything here…That’s the symbol, and that’s the message.” | | 18:30 | Fr. Mike | “This living water that comes from the Temple…is a prophecy…not only [that] God is going to bring his people back…ultimately [that] God is going to bring life to this world.” | | 20:06 | Fr. Mike | “The church fathers…always saw that as a symbol: the water is a symbol of baptism, and the blood is a symbol of…Holy Communion.” | | 21:05 | Fr. Mike | “From Christ’s pierced side…flows out blood and water. And that water gives us new life.” |

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Introductions/Reading Plan: [00:04–03:30] (skip)
• Jeremiah’s Potter and the Clay & Plots Against Him: [08:45–14:30]
• Broken Flask, Judgment, and Consequences: [14:31–16:55]
• Ezekiel's Water from the Temple & Messianic Fulfillment: [16:56–22:30]
• Proverbs Reflection: [22:31–22:58]
• Wrap-Up, Preview of Daniel: [23:00–End] (skip)

Tone, Style, and Takeaways

Fr. Mike’s style is warm, pastoral, and direct—mixing deep reverence for Scripture with personal encouragement and theological insight. He seamlessly connects Old Testament prophecy to the lived faith of Christians, always returning to themes of hope, repentance, and God’s transforming grace.

• Core Message:
  God is both just and merciful—the potter who can remake even what is spoiled, the judge whose warnings are invitations to repentance, and ultimately the God who fulfills His promises through Christ, giving living water to all who will receive it.

Next Episode: Daniel begins—moving from Ezekiel’s conclusion and Jeremiah’s ongoing exile narrative into the vibrant prophetic witness of Daniel.