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

Episode Summary: Day 247: True Repentance (2025)

Main Theme & Purpose

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz explores the critical difference between true repentance and superficial change, drawing on readings from Jeremiah 33-34, Judith 3-5, and Proverbs 16:29-33. He reflects on the persistent faithfulness of God, the call to return genuinely to Him, and the consequences of insincere repentance. The episode especially highlights God’s mercy, the prophetic anticipation of the Messiah and continual priesthood, and Israel’s spiritual warfare against both external threats and internal deceit.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jeremiah 33: Restoring Hope Amidst Desolation

• God’s Promise Even in Ruin: Despite Jerusalem’s devastation, God assures Jeremiah of a future restoration—of health, healing, and prosperity.
  • “Call to me, and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things which you have not known.” (Jer 33:3, 06:40)
• The Messiah and the Messianic Priesthood: Fr. Mike connects the prophecy of a righteous branch from David and the multiplication of priests to the New Covenant and the perpetual offering of the Church.
  • “It just, it’s so incredible. [Jeremiah] prophesies...there will be so many priests and they will offer up continual sacrifice. And here is Jeremiah 33, fulfilled in our day.” (19:45)
• God’s Unbreakable Covenant: God compares His faithfulness to the regularity of day and night, assuring that His promises to David and Israel endure.
  • “If you can break my covenant with the day and my covenant with the night...then also my covenant with David...may be broken.” (Jer 33:20-21, reflected at 14:30)

2. Jeremiah 34: Repentance, Reversal, and Ruin

• Superficial Repentance of Zedekiah and the People: Zedekiah orders the freeing of slaves in apparent repentance, quickly reversed when crisis abates.
  • “But afterward they turned around and took back the male and female slaves...and brought them into subjection as slaves.” (Jer 34:11, reflected at 22:10)
• True vs. False Conversion: Fr. Mike highlights that their act was likely self-serving, not true repentance.
  • “Far from this being an actual act of repentance, this could be simply an act of deception, deviousness, and trying to get out of trouble.” (23:00)
• Consequences of Hypocrisy: God’s response is chilling: since they did not proclaim liberty, He will give them “liberty to the sword, to pestilence, and to famine.”
  • “You have the freedom to die by the sword...because you took back those slaves.” (23:25)

3. Judith 3-5: Faithful Response in Crisis

• Israel’s Genuine Penitence: Contrasted with Jerusalem’s duplicity, the Israelites respond to the Assyrian threat with nationwide fasting, sackcloth, and fervent prayer.
  • “Every man of Israel cried out to God with great fervor. And they humbled themselves with much fasting.” (Jud 4:9, discussed at 25:25)
• National Solidarity in Prayer: Fr. Mike notes the unity of the people, priests, and even non-Israelites in their plea for mercy—a true model of faithful repentance.
• Achior’s Testimony: Achior, an outsider, explains Israel’s history—flourishing in faithfulness, but punished when they stray.
  • “As long as they did not sin against their God, they prospered, for the God who hates iniquity is with them.” (Jud 5:17, reflected at 27:10)
• A Lesson Against Presumption: Achior cautions that only if Israel sins will they fall—if not, “their Lord will defend them and their God will protect them.”

4. Proverbs 16:29–33: Ruling the Spirit and the Subtlety of Evil

• Self-Mastery over Conquest:

  • “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty. And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” (Prov 16:32, 18:40)
  • Fr. Mike expands: Self-rule is more admirable and harder than ruling others—an essential for genuine Christian life.

• Gray Hair as a Crown:

  • “A hoary head is the crown of glory. It is gained in a righteous life.” (Prov 16:31, 17:45)
  • He discusses this as honoring a life of perseverance in faith.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On God’s Attentiveness Even in Silence:

  • “Just because God is quiet doesn't mean He's absent, right? If He’s silent, doesn't mean He's absent. If it doesn't seem like He hears, that doesn't mean that He doesn't care.” — Fr. Mike Schmitz (09:45)

• On the Risk of Superficial Repentance:

  • “Your repentance was not real.” — Fr. Mike, summarizing God’s verdict over Jerusalem (24:30)

• On Achior’s Prophetic Warning:

  • “If there is any unwitting error in this people and they sin against their God…then we will go up and defeat them. But if there is no transgression...their Lord will defend them and their God will protect them, and we shall be put to shame before the whole world.” (Jud 5:20-21, paraphrased by Fr. Mike at 28:10)

• On the Spiritual Life:

  • “What a great gift to be able to rule yourself, to be able to lead yourself and to say, yep, I submit to God’s word. I submit to God’s will. I submit to God’s law.” — Fr. Mike (18:50)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [06:40] — God’s invitation to call on Him and His promise of restoration (Jer 33)
• [09:45] — Fr. Mike discusses God’s faithfulness in apparent silence
• [17:45] — Proverbs 16: Gray hair and the virtue of self-mastery
• [19:45] — The Messianic priesthood and Catholic interpretation of Jeremiah 33
• [22:10] — The false repentance of Zedekiah and the people of Jerusalem
• [23:25] — God’s proclamation of “liberty” as judgment for hypocrisy
• [25:25] — Israel’s collective penitence and genuine prayer in Judith
• [27:10] — Achior recounts Israel’s history and spiritual principles
• [28:10] — Achior’s prophetic caution: “their Lord will defend them”

Takeaways & Tone

Fr. Mike’s tone is earnest, pastoral, and occasionally urgent—drawing listeners to an honest assessment of their own repentance. He invites reflection on the difference between momentary compliance and loving surrender, and encourages listeners to practice perseverance and self-mastery. The episode underscores that God persistently calls His people back, but only true repentance yields restoration and blessing.

Fr. Mike closes with gratitude:
“I am so grateful for you. I’m so proud of you. I am praying for you. Please, please pray for me. My name is Father Mike. I cannot wait to see you tomorrow. God bless.” (29:30)

For those who have not listened:
This episode brings deep scriptural insight, real-world application, and a strong call to examine the authenticity of our own repentance and faithfulness. Through both scripture and lively commentary, Fr. Mike guides listeners to confidence in God’s mercy—if we approach Him in truth.