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

Episode: Day 288 – Battling Against Gossip
Date: October 15, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the spiritual dangers and communal harm of gossip, drawing wisdom from the readings in Sirach, Maccabees, and Proverbs. Fr. Mike uses the narrative of conflict in Maccabees and the ethical instructions of Sirach to encourage listeners to resist gossip, cultivate prudence, and approach conflict with charity and prayer. He provides commentary that is both practical and spiritual, aiming to help the audience internalize biblical wisdom for daily living.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Battles in Maccabees: Spiritual and Physical Conflict

• Context: The episode opens with a summary of 1 Maccabees 7, highlighting the political turmoil, betrayals, and battles between Jewish leaders (Judas Maccabeus), Greek rulers (Demetrius, Bacchides), and unfaithful figures like Alcimus.
• Parallels to Spiritual Life:
  • Fr. Mike draws a parallel between physical battles and the spiritual battles Christians face daily.
  • "Our battle, as I've said a thousand times, is not with flesh and blood, it's with principalities and powers. But what do we do as Christians? We have to have to pray and say, Lord, the battle belongs to you." ([14:30])
  • Judas Maccabeus' example of prayer before battle is highlighted as a model for spiritual life.

2. Sirach’s Practical Wisdom: Gossip, Prudence, and Speech

• Gossip and Discretion:
  • Sirach 19: “Never repeat a conversation, and you will lose nothing at all.” ([16:05])
  • Fr. Mike underscores the value of discretion, noting how gossip leads to division and regret.
  • Notable encouragement for those struggling with gossip:
    • "If you struggle with gossip, Sirach, chapter 19 is going to be your friend. Have you heard a word? Let it die with you. Be brave, it will not make you burst." ([16:55])
• Giving the Benefit of the Doubt:
  • The importance of questioning a friend or neighbor before believing or spreading negative reports is emphasized—"give people the benefit of the doubt."
  • Fr. Mike references monastic wisdom:
    • "Always assume the goodwill of your brother or of your sister." ([19:10])
• Speech Instead of Silence:
  • Sirach 20-21 draws out the value of prudent speech and wise silence.
    • "There is one who by keeping silent is found wise, while another is detested for being too talkative." ([20:15])
    • Misplaced words can cause harm—even wisdom, if shared at the wrong time, is wasted or rejected.

3. Choosing the Right Words at the Right Time: The Gift of Prudence

• Right Action, Right Time:
  • Fr. Mike meditates on Sirach’s teaching that even good advice, if given at the wrong time, is ineffective.
    • "The gift of prudence is doing the right thing at the right time in the right way. And this is one of the reasons why wisdom is so practical." ([21:41])
• Practical Application:
  • The wisdom in Sirach is encouraged as something to write down and revisit, as it offers guidance not just for oneself but for family and community.
  • Fr. Mike proposes keeping an “insight journal” for memorable scriptural maxims.

4. Proverbs: Friendship and Anger

• Avoidance of Toxic Influences:
  • Proverbs 22:24-25 is mentioned—"Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare." ([11:10])
  • Fr. Mike connects it to the episode’s theme—choosing companions and speech that lead toward virtue, not vice.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Gossip:
  • “Have you heard a word? Let it die with you. Be brave, it will not make you burst.” — Fr. Mike ([16:55])
  • “One who rejoices in wickedness will be condemned. And for one who hates gossip, evil is lessened.” — Fr. Mike quoting Sirach ([16:30])
• On Judging Others:
  • “Always assume the goodwill of your brother or your sister.” — Fr. Mike ([19:10])
• On Prudence:
  • “The gift of prudence is doing the right thing at the right time in the right way.” — Fr. Mike ([21:41])

Important Timestamps

• [00:04] – Introduction and setup of the episode, reading plan.
• [02:00] – Reading from 1 Maccabees 7.
• [10:15] – Proverbs 22:22-25: Counsel against anger and unhealthy friendships.
• [14:30] – Commentary: Our battle as Christians—prayer before battle.
• [16:05] – Sirach 19: "Never repeat a conversation..." and the power of discretion.
• [16:55] – Fr. Mike’s challenge to listeners: Be brave in letting gossip die with you.
• [19:10] – Encouragement to always assume the goodwill of others.
• [20:15] – "There is one who by keeping silent is found wise..."
• [21:41] – Practical wisdom on prudence and timing in speech.

Tone and Style

Fr. Mike’s commentary is warm, engaging, and practical. He uses humor (“it’s all Greek to me” for the names), shares relatable struggles with gossip, and offers spiritual encouragement rooted in biblical wisdom. He speaks directly to listeners as peers in the journey, often pausing to reflect personally (“gosh, you guys, if you struggle with gossip...”) and invites them into concrete spiritual practices.

Summary Takeaways

• Spiritual battles require prayer and dependence on God, not just action.
• Gossip is a powerful, corrosive force—Sirach counsels discretion, silence, and the benefit of the doubt.
• Prudence is about doing or saying the right thing at the right time, and true wisdom is practical.
• Forming friendships and speech habits centered on virtue protects us from harm.
• Writing down or meditating on biblical wisdom helps make these lessons part of daily life.

Final Note:
Fr. Mike ends with a reminder that the Word of God is meant to shape not just our thoughts, but our speech, actions, and relationships. He prays for listeners and asks for their prayers in return, closing on a note of communal encouragement and hope.