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

Episode: Day 246: Rejoice in Doing Good (2025)
Date: September 3, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz (Ascension)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz leads listeners through major themes of hope and divine fidelity in dark times, drawn from Jeremiah 32, Judith 1–2, and Proverbs 16:25, 28. Fr. Mike reflects on God's promise to restore Israel even amid exile, introduces the sometimes-overlooked Book of Judith, and unpacks themes of discernment, slander, and God’s joy in doing good for his people.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jeremiah 32: Faith in God’s Promises Amid Destruction

• Context: Jeremiah is imprisoned while Babylon besieges Jerusalem. King Zedekiah has locked him up for prophesying Jerusalem’s doom (02:30–03:10).
• Jeremiah Buys a Field:
  • Despite the city’s impending fall, Jeremiah purchases a field in Anathoth from his cousin Hanamel as a prophetic sign that Israel will someday return and repossess their land (04:05–05:30).
  • "This purchase of the property is a sign that... God is going to bring you home." (16:40, Fr. Mike)
• God’s Assurance:
  • God reassures Jeremiah, highlighting his omnipotence: “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27, quoted at 18:00).
  • Fr. Mike connects this to hope in adversity, reminding listeners that “nothing is too hard for God, even things that seem absolutely impossible.” (18:30)
• Divine Joy in Goodness:
  • God declares, “I will rejoice in doing them good…” (Jeremiah 32:41, 20:30).
  • Fr. Mike emphasizes, “God doesn’t resent you for needing his forgiveness. He delights in it.” (21:25)
• Christological Reflection:
  • Fr. Mike relates this joy to Christ’s self-giving: “He rejoices even in his cross. Why? Because it will save your life.” (21:50)

2. Judith 1–2: Introduction and Theological Framing

• Background of Judith:
  • Judith is a Deuterocanonical book, present in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles, not all Protestant ones (00:25).
  • Fr. Mike clarifies that while the book offers profound spiritual truths, its opening confuses historical details (e.g., Nebuchadnezzar described as king of Assyria in Nineveh, though historically he was king of Babylon) (23:05–24:30).
  • “The book of Judith might be something similar to the Song of Solomon or the Book of Job… it does convey truth to us.” (24:30)
• Nebuchadnezzar’s Wrath and Holofernes’ Campaign:
  • These chapters depict a vengeful Nebuchadnezzar commissioning his general Holofernes to destroy the western nations for defiance, setting up the story’s drama (27:00–28:30).
  • Fr. Mike’s tone is light and engaged: “Holofernes… however you want to say Holofernes, I’m going to say it like that… he is quite the sycophant.” (29:30)
• Purpose of Judith:
  • The story, while not strictly historical, “teaches us the truth of God, the truth of who we are, the truth of how God fights for us” (25:05).
  • Sets expectations that the importance of Judith herself will become apparent in later chapters.

3. Proverbs 16:25, 28: Life, Death, and the Power of Words

• Reflection on Right Choices and Consequences:
  • “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” (Proverbs 16:25, 13:35)
  • Fr. Mike highlights the way sin can appear reasonable or necessary, yet ultimately brings harm: “That’s what sin is, honestly… seems like maybe that’s what I need to choose right now.” (14:00)
• Warning Against Gossip:
  • “A perverse man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.” (Proverbs 16:28, 15:05)
  • Fr. Mike exclaims, “Gossip is one of the worst things in the world. A whisperer separates close friends. Man. Isn’t that true?” (15:20)
  • Emphasis on restraint: “God help us to follow you and to say yes to you and to not say what doesn’t need to be said.” (15:50)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On God’s Power and Kindness:

  "Nothing is too hard for you... Is anything too hard for me?" – Jeremiah & God (17:30–18:00)

• On God’s Disposition Towards Us:

  “God doesn’t resent you for needing his forgiveness. He desires to give you his forgiveness. And he delights in it.” – Fr. Mike (21:25)

• On Discernment and Sin:

  “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” – Proverbs 16:25 (13:35) “We sometimes can compromise with that and say, that seems right… but I'm going to do it anyways.” – Fr. Mike (14:10)

• On Gossip:

  “Gossip is one of the worst things in the world… those words have the power to destroy. So much power to destroy. Golly.” – Fr. Mike (15:20)

• On the Literary Genre of Judith:

  “Judith… teaches us the truth… just like Job told us the truth, just like Song of Songs tells us the truth.” – Fr. Mike (24:30–25:05)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:25–01:30: Introduction to readings (Jeremiah 32, Judith 1–2, Proverbs 16:25–28)
• 02:30–06:00: Jeremiah’s Prison Context and Prophecy
• 13:35–15:40: Proverbs on right choices and dangers of gossip
• 16:30–21:50: Jeremiah’s prayer, God’s response, and reflection on God's joy in saving
• 23:05–25:05: Introduction to the Book of Judith, its genre, and how to read it
• 27:00–29:30: Judith Chapters 1–2 summarized, Holofernes introduced
• 29:50–31:00: Closing encouragement and prayer

Summary

This episode invites listeners to trust in God’s promises even when circumstances seem hopeless; to recognize God’s active delight in doing good for his people; to discern truth and goodness beyond what merely seems right; and to beware the destructive power of careless words. As a bridge between history and wisdom literature, it also gently introduces the Book of Judith as a unique narrative designed to convey truth more than just historical fact. The tone remains pastoral, warm, and insightful throughout, offering spiritual encouragement backed by scriptural depth.