Podcast Summary

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

Episode: Day 268: Rebuilding the Temple
Date: September 25, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Main Theme:
Exploring Israel’s return from exile, the restoration of temple worship in Jerusalem, and God’s enduring invitation to repentance, renewal, and trust through the readings of Ezra 3–4, Zechariah 1–3, and Proverbs 20:4–7.

Episode Overview

Fr. Mike leads listeners through the post-exilic accounts of the Jewish people as they return to Jerusalem, rebuild the temple, and face internal and external challenges. He reflects on the spiritual significance of worship, the struggles of restoration, and the prophetic encouragements embedded in Zechariah's visions. The podcast combines biblical narrative with practical, faith-filled application for modern listeners.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Restoration of Worship and Laying the Temple Foundations

[Ezra 3; 04:30]

• The returned exiles gather in Jerusalem, rebuild the altar, and begin offering sacrifices as prescribed by Moses—establishing worship even before laying the temple’s foundation.
• The foundation of the new temple is laid, prompting a mixed emotional response: joy and gratitude from some; grief from others who remember Solomon's original temple's former glory.

Notable Reflection:

• Fr. Mike draws out the tension between honoring the past and embracing the present:

  "There's a pro in remembering, but there's also a con that we might be stuck in the past and unable to see what God is doing in our lives right now."
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz [11:40]

2. Resistance and Halting of the Temple Construction

[Ezra 4; 14:00]

• Local inhabitants (later known as Samaritans) offer to help rebuild but are politely refused due to differing religious practices.
• Political opposition ensues: adversaries send letters to Persian kings (Ahasuerus/Xerxes and Artaxerxes) filled with both truth and lies about the Jews’ intentions.
• As a result, an order from the Persian court brings the temple work to a halt “by force and power” until the reign of Darius.

Contextual Insight:

• Fr. Mike connects this to deeper church divisions and schisms, using the Jews' careful discernment as a lesson in holding fast to authentic worship and doctrine.

Quote Highlight:

"The best way to tell a lie... is to have a mixture of truth and lies. We all know that sometimes the evil one gets into our hearts because he speaks a little bit of truth and then twists it, makes it a lie."
— Fr. Mike Schmitz [16:01]

3. Prophecy and Encouragement from Zechariah

[Zechariah 1–3; 20:00]

• Zechariah, a contemporary of Haggai, brings messages of hope and calls for repentance.
• The first days of Darius’s reign mark a fresh prophetic wave, closely linked between these two prophets.

Major Themes in Zechariah’s Visions:

• Call to Repentance:

  "Return to me, says the Lord of Hosts, and I will return to you..." [Zechariah 1:3]

• God’s Compassion and Restoration:

  "My cities shall again overflow with prosperity, and the Lord will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem."
  — Zechariah 1:17 [Read at 21:20]

• God’s Protection:

  "For I will be to her a wall of fire round about, says the Lord, and I will be the glory within her."
  — Zechariah 2:5 [Read at 23:05]

4. The Vision of Joshua the High Priest & Satan: Purification and Forgiveness

[Zechariah 3; 24:15]

• Joshua stands accused by Satan ("the accuser") while wearing filthy garments—symbolizing the unworthiness of even the high priest before God.
• God orders Joshua’s filthy garments to be removed, clothing him anew as a sign of forgiveness and commissioning.

Spiritual Application:

• Fr. Mike likens this to the sacrament of reconciliation and the call of every Christian:

  "In so many ways, we are unfit to enter the presence of the Lord... Yet that doesn't disqualify him. In fact, what happens is the angel says, 'We'll remove the filthy garments from him. I've taken away your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich apparel.'"
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz [25:10]

• He further connects the single-day forgiveness—"I will remove the guilt of this land in a single day" (Zechariah 3:9)—to the events of Good Friday, where Christ's sacrifice brings total forgiveness.

Powerful Quote:

"Just like Joshua, just like the woman caught in adultery, the Lord God says to us: I don't condemn you. Essentially, I've forgiven you. Now go and sin no more."
— Fr. Mike Schmitz [27:16]

5. Proverbs: Integrity and Faithfulness

[Proverbs 20:4–7; 28:40]

• Short wisdom sayings highlight the value of diligence, deep counsel, true loyalty, and integrity.
• Fr. Mike underscores the blessing that comes to the righteous—"Blessed are his sons after him." [Read at 28:55]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "We can't lose our faith the way we lose our car keys. We either give it away or we let it decay because we don't use it."
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz [00:01]

• "If you become unable to see what God is doing now, then you miss out on what God is doing now."
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz [13:06]

• "Sometimes we get so stuck in looking back at the past that we are not seeing what's actually happening right now."
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz [12:12]

• "This [Zechariah] is almost an encapsulation... to Joshua the high priest: Okay, your sin, your iniquity has been removed from you, essentially. Now go and sin no more. Now worship the Lord God in this way of truth and of goodness. And that's what all of us are called to do."
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz [26:30]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:01–03:40 — Opening, sponsor mention, episode context
• 04:30–14:00 — Ezra 3: Rebuilding the altar and laying the temple foundation
• 14:00–20:00 — Ezra 4: Resistance and halting of temple work
• 20:00–24:15 — Zechariah 1–2: Prophetic encouragements and visions
• 24:15–27:40 — Zechariah 3: Vision of Joshua the High Priest
• 28:40–29:30 — Proverbs 20:4–7: Reflections on diligence and integrity
• Entire episode — Fr. Mike’s concluding reflection and prayer for listeners

Final Thoughts

Fr. Mike’s commentary in this episode masterfully weaves historical context, biblical narrative, and deep spiritual insight, encouraging listeners to recognize God's renewing work in old and new situations. He consistently calls for gratitude, repentance, openness to the present, and trust in God’s unending mercy—reminding each listener that restoration is always possible with God’s grace.

"We need God's mercy. We need his grace. We need his strength to keep on moving forward."
— Fr. Mike Schmitz [28:42]