The Bible in a Year with Fr. Mike Schmitz

Episode Summary: Day 273 – The Lord’s Work

Date: September 30, 2025
Scripture Readings:

• Nehemiah 3
• Zechariah 14 (conclusion of Zechariah)
• Proverbs 20:23–26

Main Theme:

The Role of Ordinary People and Everyday Work in God’s Plan

Fr. Mike unpacks the significance of seemingly mundane chapters—like Nehemiah 3’s list of workers—by highlighting the value and dignity of all labor done for God. He connects this to Zechariah’s prophecy about a future “Day of the Lord” where all things are made holy, tying together themes of restoration, judgment, teamwork, humility, and the sacredness of everyday tasks.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Zechariah’s Vision: The Coming Day of the Lord

• Overview:
  Zechariah 14 paints a dramatic scene of both judgment and restoration. It’s a vision of God gathering nations against Jerusalem, a tremendous battle, and then a miraculous, world-changing intervention by the Lord.

• Symbolism and Prophecy:

  • “On that day … at evening time there shall be light” ([15:24])
    Fr. Mike notes the resonance with Revelation, where God himself is the light, suggesting a symbol of God’s perfect restoration at the end of time.
  • Universal Holiness:
    Even small, ordinary articles (“bells of the horses”, “pots in the house of the Lord”) become “holy to the Lord,” showing that in God’s restored kingdom, the ordinary is made sacred ([19:49]).

• Key Reflection:

  • “What we may have become familiar with is not familiar… It’s not ordinary. It’s not, meh; oh ho hum. But is something remarkable.” – Fr. Mike ([21:55])

• Connection to Christ:
  Jesus is the one who takes on what we deserve—our judgment—and offers us new life, which is a fulfillment of these prophetic visions.

2. Nehemiah 3: The Work of Many Hands

• Overview:
  Nehemiah 3 is a detailed accounting of those who rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem, family by family, gate by gate. While it’s a “list of names” chapter, Fr. Mike insists it’s anything but boring.

• Collective Action and Personal Role:

  • Nehemiah leads, but the wall’s rebuilding is profoundly communal.
  • Every group, every trade, and even individual families contribute, each repairing their own section.
  • Some leaders, like Eliashib the high priest, set the tone by literally getting their hands dirty.
    • “The high priest and his brethren, the priests, began building. Yeah, man. There is this saying that was in seminary... these hands are made for chalices, not calluses… you need to put in the work.” ([27:38])

• Consecration of Ordinary Work:

  • “They also consecrated that gate… Not because the Sheep Gate is a holy gate… but because they realized, all we’re doing right now is building a gate, but this rebuilding is a holy work. It’s dedicated to God.” ([29:13])

• All Work Matters:

  • Any work—no matter how menial or secular—can be consecrated to God if we’re called to it.
    • “There is no such thing as work that’s beneath us. No such thing. Every work can be a participation in the work of God.” ([35:15])

3. Lessons on Teamwork, Humility, and Generosity

Teamwork and Diversity

• Many types of people worked on the wall: goldsmiths, perfumers, Levites, priests, rulers, men, women (“Shallum… and his daughters repaired…”).
  • “Maybe he didn’t have sons, but Shallum and his daughters repaired, which is so great—I love it.” ([37:22])

Humility and Refusal to Work

• Some, like the nobles of Tekoa, refused to help:
  • “The Tekoites repaired, but their nobles did not put their necks to the work of the Lord.” ([32:50])
  • Fr. Mike challenges: “Is there any work that you or I think is beneath us? If so, then in that we are wrong.”

Magnanimity vs. Smallness of Heart

• Many repaired the wall “opposite their own house.”
  • Could signify either healthy responsibility or a lack of generosity.
  • Reflection:
    “Was it humility, just focusing on their responsibility? Or pusillanimity—that smallness of heart, only doing what personally benefits them?” ([40:21])
  • Personal Application:
    “Maybe God is calling you to not only take care of your own garden but also help your neighbor in their garden… we need God’s grace to know which it is.” ([44:18])

4. Proverbs on Honesty and Wise Leadership

• Short proverbs reflect themes of integrity, sincerity in vows, and discernment.
  • “Divers weights are an abomination to the Lord, and false scales are not good… A wise king winnows the wicked and drives the wheel over them.” ([15:58])

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the Unbelievable Grace of the Gospel:
  “In Christ, we don’t get what we deserve. In Christ, we get what he took on himself—what we deserved, he took on that death… so that you and I don’t get what we deserve. Which is incredible.” ([22:10])

• On Holiness in the Ordinary:
  “What’s holy will be holier, what’s not holy at all will become holy. This is what God has done for us, in making us his own, he’s consecrated us, he’s made us holy.” ([20:09])

• On Daily Purpose:
  “The plot of land… the corner that we’re in—to make it beautiful for you, to bring your presence there because your presence is with us… Help us always to be agents of your will.” (Prayer, [15:09])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:04] — Episode introduction and scripture readings
• [15:09] — Opening prayer and daily intention
• [19:49] — Zechariah’s vision of holiness and the Day of the Lord
• [21:55] — The wonder of God’s promises in Christ
• [27:38] — Reflection on Nehemiah and the value of manual labor
• [29:13] — Consecrating ordinary work to God
• [32:50] — The Tekoites and the refusal of nobles
• [35:15] — The dignity of all types of work
• [37:22] — Inclusion and diversity in the work force (“his daughters repaired…”)
• [40:21] — Reflection on repairing opposite their own houses; pusillanimity vs. responsibility
• [44:18] — Application: When to look beyond ourselves
• [15:58] — Proverbs and the call to fairness and honesty
• [48:00] — Closing blessing and tomorrow’s invitation

Conclusion

Fr. Mike’s reflections transform a challenging chapter of names and assignments into a powerful meditation on vocation, service, and the sanctification of all work. He urges us to discern where we’re called to serve, to never look down on any task, and to allow God to consecrate our “little corners of the world.” Each person has a role in building God’s kingdom—no matter how small or ordinary it seems.

“I am praying for you. Honestly, every single day, I’m praying for you. Please, please pray for me. My name is Father Mike. I cannot wait to see you tomorrow. God bless.” ([47:59])