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

Episode: Day 244 — Susanna's Righteousness

Date: September 1, 2025

Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz (Ascension)

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the readings from Jeremiah 30, Daniel 12–13 (focused especially on Susanna’s righteousness), and Proverbs 16:17–20. Fr. Mike guides listeners through God’s promise to restore His people, the Old Testament foreshadowing of resurrection, and the dramatic story of Susanna, highlighting themes of trust, virtue, and the deep consequences of injustice and sin.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jeremiah 30: Hope Beyond Exile

Timestamp: 07:20 — 12:40

• Jeremiah receives a message of restoration for Israel and Judah.
• Despite the darkness and suffering, God promises to bring His people back and restore their fortunes.
• Fr. Mike highlights the significance of this encouraging “break” in the midst of Jeremiah’s often grim prophecies.
• Quote (Fr. Mike, 09:00):

  “God’s people have survived when virtually every other people in that area have not…because they have the blessing of the Lord.”

Key Takeaway

• God’s covenant is unfailing despite human failure. “You shall be my people, and I will be your God.” (Jer 30:22)
• Fr. Mike encourages prayers for the Jewish people to recognize their Messiah.

2. Daniel 12: The Resurrection of the Dead

Timestamp: 12:45 — 18:50

• One of the earliest OT mentions of bodily resurrection:

  • “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” (Dan 12:2)

• Archangel Michael is named as protector of God’s people.

• Fr. Mike stresses the Christian belief in bodily resurrection and the reality that each person’s life trajectory is moving either toward or away from God.

• Quote (Fr. Mike, 14:30):

  “Every one of us is choosing heaven or hell at any given moment... It’s a sober reality that’s worth really meditating on.”

Key Takeaway

• Resurrection is central to Christian faith; our choices now have eternal consequences.

3. Daniel 13: The Story of Susanna’s Righteousness and Daniel’s Wisdom

Timestamp: 18:55 — 28:55

Susanna and the Elders

• Susanna is a righteous, beautiful woman falsely accused by two powerful elders who lusted after her.
• When she refuses their advances, the elders conspire to testify against her, nearly resulting in her execution.

Susanna’s Virtue

• Despite being cornered with death or sin, Susanna chooses righteousness over sin, crying out to God for justice.
• Quote (Susanna’s prayer, read by Fr. Mike, 24:30):

  “O eternal God, who discern what is secret… Now I am to die, yet I have done none of the things that they have wickedly invented against me.”

Daniel’s Intervention

• The Lord “heard her cry” (Dan 13:44).

• A young Daniel, inspired by the Holy Spirit, exposes the elders’ lies by questioning each separately.

• Their conflicting testimonies reveal their guilt; Susanna is vindicated.

• Quote (Fr. Mike, 25:20):

  “The Lord heard her cry… And we know this: every single one of us—every single one who has ever cried out to the Lord—‘the Lord heard her cry.’”

Reflections on Abuse of Power and the Importance of Integrity

• Fr. Mike draws parallels to modern stories of powerful individuals abusing their position:

  “Powerful men who have abused their power and abused women… It’s overwhelming. This story is all too familiar both inside and outside the church.” (26:45)

• Cautions against allowing anything—to distort our hearts as lust did the elders.
• We must keep our eyes fixed on God, or we risk sinking, as Peter did when he looked away from Jesus.

4. Proverbs 16:17–20—Humility and Wisdom

Timestamp: 29:00 — 30:10

• Emphasizes that humility preserves life and trust in the Lord leads to happiness.
• Quote:

  “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall… Happy is he who trusts in the Lord.” (Proverbs 16:18, 20)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Israel’s Endurance:
  “You meet someone of the people of Israel any day of the week... because they have the blessing of the Lord.” — Fr. Mike (09:00)

• On the Meaning of the Resurrection:
  “One of the beliefs of Christians that goes all the way back to the apostles is we believe in the resurrection of the body.” — Fr. Mike (14:00)

• On God Hearing Us:
  “The Lord heard her cry.” — (Dan 13:44, emphasized by Fr. Mike at 25:20)

• On Power and Abuse:
  “Anyone using their power to get what they want from someone—this is the same story and, gosh, we see it happen again and again.” — Fr. Mike (26:40)

• On Our Spiritual Trajectory:
  “Am I on a trajectory leading me toward you, or away?” — Fr. Mike (16:40)

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------------|------------| | Jeremiah 30 Reading & Reflection | 07:20–12:40| | Daniel 12 Reading & Resurrection Theme | 12:45–18:50| | Daniel 13: Susanna’s Story & Reflection | 18:55–28:55| | Proverbs 16:17–20 & Final Reflection | 29:00–30:10|

Tone and Language

• Fr. Mike maintains a warm, pastoral, and deeply empathetic tone.
• He speaks honestly about the darkness of injustice and the hope offered by faith.
• Relevant connections are made to contemporary issues of power, abuse, and the need for moral courage.

Final Thoughts

Fr. Mike closes with prayer for all those struggling—with injustice, with trying to do right in the face of opposition, or with their own distorted desires. He grounds hope in God’s promise:

“You will be my people, and I will be your God.”

He reminds listeners to pray for one another, stating:

“I’m praying for you. Please pray for me.”

This episode powerfully weaves together biblical texts and modern realities, asking listeners to examine their own hearts and trust that, whatever their place in the story, “the Lord hears your cry.”