Podcast Summary: The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Episode: Day 286: The Battle to Choose God (2025)
Date: October 13, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Publisher: Ascension
Overview
This episode, "The Battle to Choose God," continues the podcast’s exploration of the Bible through the Great Adventure Bible Timeline. Fr. Mike discusses the themes of war, freedom, and moral responsibility as illustrated in 1 Maccabees, Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), and Proverbs. He draws connections between the violent struggle of the Maccabees for religious independence and the everyday moral battles faced by believers today, emphasizing the consistent biblical message: God offers us freedom, but also the responsibility to choose good over evil.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Historical and Spiritual Context (00:04–06:00)
- Completion Milestone: Fr. Mike celebrates listeners reaching Day 286, highlighting the accomplishment and ongoing commitment required to follow the Bible in a Year plan.
- “It’s amazing. It’s incredible. We have 1¾ maybe pages left to go… 286 days. Well done. That’s amazing.” (00:25)
- Context of 1 Maccabees: Fr. Mike summarizes that these chapters describe the Jewish struggle against Hellenistic oppression under Antiochus Epiphanes, led by Judas Maccabeus.
- “Judas Maccabeus is freeing the people of Israel… Is this really violent? Once again, like I mentioned yesterday, there’s an element where we kind of forget that.” (21:00)
- He notes how, while the violence is striking, it’s a defensive war—“a war for freedom… for the ability to worship” (21:54).
2. The Battle for Religious Freedom (1 Maccabees 5) (06:00–12:00)
- Summary of Events: The Jewish people fight for survival as neighboring Gentile nations plan their destruction. Judas coordinates military responses, rescuing besieged Jews and leading them to safety and worship.
- Violence and Purpose: Fr. Mike acknowledges discomfort with the book’s violence but stresses the existential nature of the struggle—defining it as a fight for both survival and religious identity:
- “War is never ever good…And yet here freedom is good. And freedom is worth fighting for… also for the ability to worship here. And that’s exactly what their point is.” (22:39)
- Modern Parallel: He draws a comparison to wars for independence like the American Revolution (21:54).
3. The Stickiness of Character (Sirach 13–14) (12:00–16:00)
- Association & Influence: Fr. Mike discusses Sirach’s warnings about associating with the proud or the rich, noting that character and attitudes are "sticky."
- “Whoever touches pitch will be defiled… who associates with a proud man will become like him. Isn’t that just good? The recognition that people are sticky… I want to be with virtuous people because you want to get some of that stuck on you.” (23:42)
- Practical Wisdom on Wealth: He highlights Sirach’s nuanced teaching on wealth—enjoying what you have, but within your means, and not letting anxiety or preoccupation with wealth rob you of happiness.
- “My son, treat yourself well according to your means…” (14:11)
- Fr. Mike reflects: “How often through worry, through anxiety, through preoccupation… do we deprive ourselves of a happy day?” (25:10)
4. Human Freedom, Choice, and Divine Wisdom (Sirach 15) (16:00–20:30)
- Freedom of Choice: Fr. Mike emphasizes Sirach’s insistence on human freedom—God gives us the ability to choose between good and evil.
- “Do not say…it was he [God] who led me astray. For he has no need of a sinful man… If you will, you can keep the Commandments. They will save you…He has placed before you fire and water. Stretch out your hand for whichever you wish. Before a man are life and death, good and evil, and whichever he chooses will be given to him.” (Sirach 15:12–17, paraphrased at 27:00)
- Call to Responsibility: He draws on Genesis and James, explaining that God doesn't tempt us, but gives us genuine freedom and the responsibility to use it well.
- “God has made us for heaven, and He gives us the choice, stretch out your hand for heaven or stretch out your hand for hell—you’ll be given whatever you’ve chosen.” (28:00)
5. Short Proverbs on Moral Living (Proverbs 22:13–16) (20:30–21:30)
- Practical Wisdom: Proverbs remind listeners about the dangers of laziness, temptation, folly, and oppressing the poor.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Freedom is worth fighting for. Not only for oneself, for one’s family, but also for the ability to worship…” —Fr. Mike (21:54)
- “Whoever touches pitch will be defiled…The recognition that people are sticky and you want to be with virtuous people because you want to get some of that stuck on you.” —Fr. Mike (23:42)
- “Do not deprive yourself of a happy day. How often through worry, through anxiety… do we deprive ourselves of a happy day?” —Fr. Mike (25:10)
- “God has made us for heaven, and He gives us the choice, stretch out your hand for heaven or stretch out your hand for hell—you’ll be given whatever you’ve chosen.” —Fr. Mike (28:00)
Important Timestamps
- 00:04 – Episode open and milestone reflection
- 06:00 – 1 Maccabees 5: Recap of the Jewish struggles and battles
- 12:00 – Sirach 13: Associations and richness, “stickiness” of character
- 14:00 – Sirach 14: Wisdom on wealth and enjoyment of life
- 16:00 – Sirach 15: The doctrine of free will and personal responsibility
- 20:30 – Proverbs 22: Warnings against folly, laziness, and oppression
- 21:00 – Fr. Mike’s concluding reflection and prayer
Overall Tone and Takeaways
Fr. Mike’s style is warm, lively, and personal—often self-effacing and relatable, yet deeply reverent toward Scripture’s wisdom. His central message in this episode is the daily battle to choose God:
“I want to choose Jesus. I want to choose God. And yet I know myself, and I know that all of us battle to choose God on a regular basis… I’m praying for you. Please pray for me, that we all choose heaven.” (29:00)
By connecting the historical fight for religious freedom with the day-to-day spiritual struggles of his listeners, he invites everyone to gratitude, awareness, and renewed determination to choose the good that God offers.