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

Episode: Day 262: Miracle Worker (2025)
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz (Ascension)
Date: September 19, 2025
Scripture Readings: Matthew 14–17, Proverbs 19:9–12

Overview

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz takes listeners through Matthew chapters 14–17, a section brimming with miracles, teaching, and revelations about Jesus' identity. The readings cover pivotal events: the death of John the Baptist, multiple miraculous feedings, Jesus walking on water, profound teachings about purity, Peter’s declaration of faith, the Transfiguration, and more. Fr. Mike’s commentary focuses on the deeper meanings of Jesus’ miracles, the danger of reducing them to mere moral examples, and the call for Christians to live daringly in faith. Reflection centers on Jesus as both miracle worker and fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, the Church’s mission, and personal discipleship.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Death of John the Baptist

• Summary: The episode opens with Herod’s conflicted but self-serving decision to execute John the Baptist (Matthew 14:1–12).
• Fr. Mike’s insight:
  • Herod is torn, attracted to John's message but trapped by his own sin and pride.
  • “Herod is kind of the incarnation of these things...he was stuck in this place of sin...that can be so many of us where we hate the fact that here I am sinning and I just can't take that step to free myself. I can't take that step to allow the Lord to free me.” (22:15)
• Application: Fr. Mike calls listeners to recognize similar places of spiritual “stuckness” in their own lives, inviting Jesus into these areas.

2. The Feeding of the 5,000 and 4,000: Miracles, Not Just Morality

• Scripture Events: Jesus multiplies loaves and fishes for crowds of thousands (Matt 14:13–21; 15:32–39).

• Fr. Mike’s passion:

  • Strongly rejects the “miracle of sharing” interpretation, emphasizing the supernatural nature of Jesus’ acts.
  • “If you ever hear anyone interpret it like that, they're wrong. It's completely wrong. It's a nice idea, but that is not the point...Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophets of old...he is the true son of God who has power over matter, has power over life, has power over everything, and he can multiply this food. This is very important.” (25:08)

• Notable quote:

  • “My mom and dad are not God. Jesus is God.” (25:55)

• Takeaway: Recognizing Christ’s divinity and supernatural power is essential for genuine faith.

3. Walking on Water—A Call to Do the Impossible

• Scripture Event: Jesus walks on the sea; Peter attempts to join him (Matt 14:22–33).
• Fr. Mike’s commentary:
  • Highlights that following Jesus means doing what He does, not just believing from the sidelines.
  • Quotes Jeff Cavins: “...We're called to do what Jesus does.” (27:50)
  • “Yes, he sinks. Yes, Jesus rebukes him. ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’ But there was a moment there when Simon Peter was walking on water, when he was doing something impossible. And this is what we're called to.” (28:58)
• Application: Christians are called to live beyond their natural capacities—living and loving with supernatural faith.

4. The Tradition of the Elders—Essential vs. Optional

• Scripture Event: Jesus challenges the Pharisees’ elevation of tradition over God’s commandments (Matt 15:1–20).
• Fr. Mike explains:
  • The Pharisees' additional traditions, meant to extend holiness, ultimately obscured essential commands.
  • “They were trying to avoid the essential commandment...by electing to do this optional...This is what we—so many of us—are tempted to do...I will do everything but what God is asking me to do.” (31:44)

5. Peter’s Confession and the Rock of the Church

• Scripture Event: Peter declares Jesus the Christ; Jesus names him the “rock” and promises the Church’s invincibility (Matt 16:13–20).
• Fr. Mike sets the scene:
  • Describes the dramatic geography of Caesarea Philippi, using the landscape as a visual metaphor for Jesus’ teaching.
  • “Jesus asks, ‘Who do you say that I am?’ and Simon says, ‘You're the Christ, the Holy One of God.’...So I say to you, you are now rock. And upon this rock, just like you see behind me, there's churches built into this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” (34:10)
• Key clarification:
  • The “gates of hell” won’t withstand the advancing Church; it’s an offensive, not defensive, promise.
  • “It's not a defensive position, it's an offensive position.” (35:40)
• Call to action:
  • “Where can you and I bring light today where there is no light? Where can you and I bring hope today where there is no hope? Where can you and I bring love today where there is no love?” (36:10)

6. The Transfiguration: Jesus Revealed

• Scripture Event: Jesus revealed in glory to Peter, James, and John; Moses and Elijah appear (Matt 17:1–8).
• Brief comment:
  • Fr. Mike references ongoing revelations about Jesus’ identity and mission, building on the previous confessions and miracles.

7. Faith and the Impossible

• Scripture Event: Jesus heals an epileptic boy after the disciples fail (Matt 17:14–20).
• Fr. Mike on faith:
  • “Because of your little faith...if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, nothing will be impossible to you.” (38:42)
• Challenge:
  • Faith precedes miracles; even a little opens the door to God’s power.

8. Final Reflection and Call to Prayer

• Closing thoughts:
  • Encourages listeners to see themselves as part of the Church’s offensive mission in the world, empowered by Christ’s miracles and teaching.
• Prayer focus:
  • Gratitude to God as the giver of all good gifts.
  • “Father, in heaven, we give you thanks. We praise you and glorify your name...Please, please, Lord God, receive our praise, receive our thanksgiving. In the name of your son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.” (21:52)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “If you ever hear anyone interpret [the feeding miracles] like that, they're wrong… Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophets of old.” — Fr. Mike (25:08)
• “My mom and dad are not God. Jesus is God.” — Fr. Mike (25:55)
• “We're called to do what Jesus does.” — Fr. Mike, citing Jeff Cavins (27:50)
• "Where can you and I bring light today where there is no light...love where there is no love?" — Fr. Mike (36:10)
• “It’s not a defensive position—it's an offensive position.” — Fr. Mike on the Church (35:40)

Key Timestamps

• 00:04 — Episode introduction and readings announcement
• 22:15 — Reflection on Herod and spiritual “stuckness”
• 25:08–25:55 — The feeding miracles: miracles, not merely “sharing”
• 27:50–28:58 — Walking on water and the call to do the impossible
• 31:44 — Tradition of the elders, prioritizing essentials
• 34:10–36:10 — Peter, the rock, and the Church’s offensive mission
• 38:42 — Faith as small as a mustard seed moves mountains
• 21:52 — Prayer of gratitude

Tone and Style

Fr. Mike’s tone is passionate, warm, occasionally humorous, and always personal and practical. He balances deep theological insight with relatable, everyday applications and is unafraid to speak boldly (and with some sarcasm!) when confronting common misconceptions. The episode flows from scripture to commentary to prayer, building both biblical understanding and spiritual motivation.

For those seeking to understand the miracles of Jesus, the foundation of the Church, and what it means to live as his disciple today, this episode is a stirring reminder of Christ’s power and our call to follow him with real, daring faith.