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

Episode: Day 289: Wise Influences (2025)
Date: October 16, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz (Ascension)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz continues the daily journey through the Bible, guiding listeners through 1 Maccabees 8, Sirach 22-23, and a brief selection from Proverbs 22. The overall theme is “Wise Influences,” emphasizing the impact of alliances, both political and personal, and the necessity of discernment and wisdom in forming relationships and guiding one’s life. Fr. Mike reflects on how our choices—relationships, media, words, and thoughts—shape our spiritual journey, paralleling Israel’s alliances and personal wisdom literature from Sirach and Proverbs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Political Alliances and Seeking Security (1 Maccabees 8)

• Summary of the Text (14:01–17:00):
  • The passage describes the Jewish alliance with Rome, praising Roman strength, structure, and their fair treatment of allies.
  • The Jews, recently freed from Greek oppression under Judas Maccabeus, seek Roman support to maintain independence.
• Fr. Mike’s Analysis:
  • He highlights the cycle of empires: Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, now Romans.
  • Observes Israel’s turn to Rome due to lack of prophetic guidance ("They don't have someone currently speaking the word of God..." [16:56]).
  • Contrasts this alliance with previous prophetic warnings against seeking foreign alliances, especially with Egypt.
• Key Question:
  • “What would a prophet say?” (18:14) — Would a prophet approve of this alliance, or would they caution, as in the past, that trusting in political strength over God leads to eventual subjugation?

2. Wise and Foolish Influences in Our Lives (Sirach 22-23)

• Wisdom Literature Reflection (18:47–22:35):
  • Sirach’s advice: avoid foolish people, be cautious with words, and value self-discipline.
  • Fr. Mike applies this to daily life: the impact of our closest associations and our media consumption.
    • Quote: “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” (19:03)
• Media and Modern “Alliances” (20:18–21:26):
  • Warns not just about literal friends, but also fictional or media figures: "Maybe I'm allowing them to speak foolishness into my life on a regular basis." (20:51)
  • Asks listeners to do an examination of conscience regarding what voices and influences they’re inviting into their hearts and minds.
• Memorable Metaphors:
  • Foolish friends are “heavier than lead” (Sirach 22:15).
  • “Not only what we take in... but also what we say.” (22:03)

3. The Power and Danger of Words

• Set a Guard Over My Mouth (22:36–22:42):
  • Fr. Mike draws on Sirach 22:27 and Psalm 141, emphasizing the need to guard our speech.
    • Quote: “How many times do we need to just guard what we say...” (22:03)
• Desiring Discipline Over Thoughts (22:11–22:35):
  • Sirach’s plea: “Oh, that whips were set over my thoughts and the discipline of wisdom over my mind…” (22:11).
  • Fr. Mike expresses a yearning for increased self-discipline:
    • “So that I don’t just keep making the same mistake over and over again...” (22:19)

4. The Illusion of Private Sin & God’s Omniscience (23:06–23:54)

• Reflections on Secrecy and Sin:
  • Addressing Sirach 23:18–19’s warning that no sin is truly hidden from God.
  • Fr. Mike: “There’s no such thing as private sins.” (23:24)
  • Recalls Jesus’ teaching: “No word whispered in the dark will not be declared from the rooftops.” (23:26)
  • Challenge: Live consciously in the light of God’s constant presence, not seeking to compartmentalize or conceal our faults.

5. Proverbs’ Practical Advice (13:06–13:36)

• Proverbs warns against becoming surety for debts and encourages skillfulness in work, highlighting prudence, responsibility, and integrity.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Finishing the Bible:

  • “This is incredible that you are still here in day 289... I just want to say I’m proud of y’all. That’s all.” (00:51–01:30)
    (Encouragement for listeners’ perseverance.)

• On Political Wisdom and Prophetic Silence:

  • “But they don’t have someone currently speaking the word of God or the will of God into their lives... they’re lacking that voice of, say, a Samuel or an Elijah.” (16:56–17:11)

• On Wise Influences:

  • "Spending time with virtuous people is—we become the average of the five people we spend the most time with.” (19:03)

• On Modern 'Foolishness':

  • “We invite either wisdom or folly into our lives on a daily basis... even if we don't actually know those individuals, we are inviting wisdom or we are inviting folly into our lives.” (21:09–21:28)

• On Speech and Self-Control:

  • “Oh, that a guard were set over my mouth, and a seal of prudence upon my lips, that it may keep me from falling so that my tongue may not destroy me.” (22:11; referencing Sirach 22:27 and Psalm 141)

• On the Fallacy of Private Sin:

  • “There’s no such thing as private sins. As Jesus said, no word whispered in the dark will not be declared from the rooftops.” (23:24–23:26)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:30] – Encouragement for listener perseverance
• [14:01] – Introduction to Maccabees and the Roman alliance
• [16:56] – Lack of prophetic guidance in Maccabees
• [18:47] – Sirach on wisdom and folly, avoiding foolish influences
• [20:05] – “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”
• [20:18] – Application to media and modern friendships
• [22:03] – Guarding the tongue and mind, citing Psalms
• [23:05] – The illusion of private sin; living before God’s all-seeing presence

Episode Takeaways

• Prudence in Alliances: The alliance with Rome in 1 Maccabees is pragmatic, yet calls into question the best source of ultimate security and the importance of seeking divine, not merely human, counsel.
• Wise Influences Matter: Both in personal relationships and the media we engage with, we become like those we associate with. Discern carefully.
• Guarding Speech and Thoughts: Praying for discipline over words and thoughts is a central biblical plea for wisdom.
• Nothing is Hidden from God: Live openly and honestly before the Lord, knowing that all hidden things are known to Him.

Final Prayer and Challenge

Fr. Mike invites listeners to pray for the grace to choose wisdom over folly in all areas of life and to remain vigilant about the influences they welcome—whether through friendships, media, or their own speech and thoughts.

For tomorrow:
The reading continues with 1 Maccabees 9 as the Bible in a Year journey progresses!

[End of Episode Summary]