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

Episode: Day 260: Carrying the Cross (2025)
Date: September 17, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Presented by: Ascension

Main Theme: Embracing the Cost of Discipleship

This episode, set deep in the “Messianic Checkpoint” of the reading plan, centers on Matthew chapters 8, 9, and 10. Fr. Mike reflects on the meaning of Christ’s miracles, Jesus’ authority, the unique calling of the disciples—especially Matthew—and the hard teachings about carrying one’s cross. The episode highlights that following Jesus isn’t just about belief or comfort, but a transformative call to action, sacrifice, and trust amidst division.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Miracles: More Than Healing

Fr. Mike emphasizes the abundance of miracles in Matthew 8–10, noting their significance as signs of Jesus’ divine identity and his fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.

• “Basically what we have is a bunch of miracles. And you caught that because Jesus is just healing all over the place.” (21:05)
  • Jesus’ ministry was geographically small, concentrated around Capernaum near the Sea of Galilee.
• The miracles serve as verification: “John referred to those healings as signs and wonders, meaning they pointed to Jesus’ identity.” (22:01)
  • Example: Healing the paralytic to demonstrate the authority to forgive sins (Matthew 9:2–7).
  • Reference to prophecy: “He took our infirmities and he bore our diseases.” (23:00)
• Jesus heals across three distinct categories:
  • Physical illnesses
  • Mental illnesses
  • Spiritual oppression/demonic possession
• “Scripture makes a very distinct point of noting that Jesus healed physical illness, he healed mental illness, and he also set people free from demonic oppression.” (24:00)
• By healing and casting out demons, Jesus inaugurates the Kingdom of God and defeats the Kingdom of Darkness.

2. The Call and Transformation of Matthew

Special focus is given to Matthew’s own calling, which Fr. Mike frames as a moment of radical transformation and hope.

• “Here is Matthew just inserting this moment in his own life where he was… an enemy of the Jewish people because he was working for the Romans as a tax collector. And Jesus walks up to the tax office and just says, ‘Follow me,’ noting that whatever our past is, Lord Jesus comes into our present and wants to offer us a new future.” (25:40)
  • The brevity of Matthew’s own account is insightful—he focuses not on himself, but on the calling power of Christ.

3. The Mission of the Twelve: Imitating the Teacher

Christ transitions from personal ministry to sending out the disciples, charging them with his authority and mission.

• “The disciples of Jesus aren’t just simply called to believe in Jesus and even just to follow—not just to follow him, but to do what he did in this world, which is just incredible.” (27:00)
  • The mission is practical: heal, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons—freely received, freely give.
  • The call to trust God’s provision: take “no gold, nor silver… nor two tunics…” (Matthew 10:9–10)

4. The Sword, Division, and Carrying the Cross

A hard teaching emerges: following Jesus can—in fact, will—cause division and suffering, even within families.

• “I didn’t come to bring peace, but the sword… families will turn each other over… This is the price.” (28:25)
  • Fr. Mike connects these historical divisions to present realities: “Could there be divisions that are becoming more and more pronounced in families now?” (29:45)
  • The realities faced in early Christianity—persecution and betrayal—are still present, in different forms, today.
• The call to loyalty above all:
  • “He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. And he who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:37–38)
  • “He who finds his life will lose it. And he who loses his life for my sake will find it.” (31:00)
• Fr. Mike reflects personally:
  • “This is one of the things that—even I read this in high school and it just made such an impression on me: When Jesus says, he who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me… Have no fear… Even if everything seems so confusing… you matter to God.” (31:30)

5. Assurance of God’s Care

Jesus assures his followers of their value, urging them not to fear temporary loss or suffering.

• “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny, and not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father's will... you are of more value than many sparrows.” (32:00)
• Fr. Mike’s closing encouragement:
  • “Have no fear. Pick up your cross and follow me. And have no fear. He who finds his life will lose it. And he who loses his life for my sake will find it.” (32:25)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Jesus’ healing:
  • “He’s not just another healer, he’s not just another prophet, but Jesus actually is the incarnation of God himself. And that’s so powerful…” (22:40)
• On the cost of discipleship:
  • “We can’t abandon our faith. We can’t abandon the Lord Jesus because he has called us to be faithful. He’s called us to be witnesses.” (31:15)
• On God’s intimate love:
  • “Even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (32:05)

Important Timestamps

• 21:05 — Miracles as signs of Jesus’ identity
• 24:00 — Distinction between physical, mental, and spiritual healing
• 25:40 — The calling of Matthew and its meaning
• 27:00 — The mission of the disciples: not just following, but doing
• 28:25 — Jesus’ teaching on division and the cost of following him
• 31:00 — Reflecting on taking up one’s cross
• 32:00–32:25 — Assurance of God’s care and call to “have no fear”

Tone & Closing Reflections

Fr. Mike speaks with warmth, urgency, and pastoral care, always rooting modern struggles in the Biblical narrative. His style is direct, at times vulnerable, imploring listeners to trust in Christ’s call, especially when it brings division or discomfort. This episode especially encourages listeners to embrace the challenges of faith, remember their immense worth to God, and to boldly carry their cross, knowing Christ leads the way.

For listeners and non-listeners alike, this episode is a call to both reflection and action: to honestly assess the cost of following Christ, to persevere amidst division, and to rest secure in God’s fatherly love.