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

Episode: Day 293 - Discipline Grounded in Love
Date: October 20, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz (Ascension)

Overview

This episode of The Bible in a Year focuses on the biblical theme of discipline—especially discipline rooted in love, as illustrated through the day’s readings in 1 Maccabees 12, Sirach 30 & 31, and Proverbs 23:13–16. Fr. Mike guides listeners through historical, moral, and personal reflections on the difference between genuine, loving discipline and harmful, punitive behavior. He connects these teachings both to biblical times and to contemporary family life, emphasizing God’s intention for discipline as a means of formation, growth, and love.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. First Maccabees 12: Leadership, Trust, and Betrayal

(00:04–07:20)

• Historical context: Jonathan leads the Jewish people in forging alliances with Rome and Sparta, seeking security amidst regional threats.
• Political intrigue: Not everyone in power is trustworthy; Jonathan is betrayed and killed by Trypho.
• Significance in salvation history: While earlier biblical narratives often spotlight God's direct action, here the story is driven by historical events and the dynamics of human leadership.
• Takeaway: Power can be precarious; alliances do not guarantee safety, and discerning true intentions in leadership remains relevant.

2. Sirach & Proverbs: Exploring the Theme of Discipline

(07:20–14:55)

• Frequent biblical refrain:

  • Sirach 30 emphasizes: “He who loves his son will whip him often … He who disciplines his son will profit by him.”
  • Proverbs 23: “Do not withhold discipline from a child. If you beat him with a rod, he will not die ... you will save his life from Sheol.”

• Fr. Mike's central clarification:

  • There is a critical difference between discipline (which seeks to teach and form) and destructive punishment (which injures or humiliates).

• Cultural and scriptural context:

  • Biblical “rod” metaphors aren’t endorsements of abuse—the goal is virtuous formation.
  • Like distinct forms of servitude in biblical times versus chattel slavery, discipline in the Bible is rooted in love, not violence.

• Narrative anecdote (Fr. Mike’s family):

  • Growing up, Fr. Mike’s mother used a “paddle ball paddle” as a disciplinary tool: “It just stung a little bit … it was the threat of that more than anything.” (14:00)
  • His siblings now use timeouts—physical punishment isn’t required for effective discipline.

3. Modern Parenting & the Psychology of Discipline

(15:00–20:20)

• Notable psychological insight:

  • Fr. Mike references a clinical psychologist’s rule: “Never let your kids do anything that makes you dislike them.” (15:25)
  • Rationale: Failure to correct children leads not just to parental resentment but to broader social difficulties for the child.
    • On the playground: such kids may be ostracized.
    • With adults: kids pick up on inauthenticity when adults are polite but disengaged.

• Adults and authority:

  • Personal anecdote: Fr. Mike’s bishop giving a firm directive—being able to accept correction is essential to maturity and usefulness within community and Church.

• Key quote:
  “If all I can do is my own will, then I’m of no use to my bishop, I’m of no use to the people around me.” (16:10)

4. Discipline: From Childhood to Discipleship

(20:20–22:50)

• The formative purpose of discipline:
  • Discipline isn’t about the parent's anger—it's about helping the child become a mature, virtuous human being.
  • Methods of discipline vary (physical or not); what matters is consistency and intention.
  • “Because I discipline you now and it costs you as a parent ... so that later on you can be the kind of person who [as Scripture says] doesn’t go to hell, but you can be the kind of person who has the virtue needed to help people around you and help yourself.” (22:15)
• Sensitivity & past trauma:
  • Fr. Mike explicitly says he does not condone abuse or harshness:
    “Don’t beat your children. That is horrible ... What you experienced was not godly, it was not of the Lord ... but you matter and you’re loved.” (22:35–23:15)

5. Empathy, Healing, and Community

(22:50–end)

• Recognizes diverse experiences—some listeners suffered real abuse mislabelled as “discipline”.
• Offers compassion and encouragement to seek healing, affirming the listener's value and dignity.
• Call to prayer and solidarity: "We are all on this road, trying to get closer to the Lord as best we can. Please pray for me—I'm praying for you."

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:04 — Opening, overview of readings
• 03:00 — Maccabees: Alliances and betrayal
• 07:20 — Sirach & Proverbs: Introduce theme of discipline
• 11:40 — Meaning of discipline vs. destruction
• 14:00 — Fr. Mike’s family anecdote: discipline tools
• 15:25 — “Never let your kids do anything that makes you dislike them.”
• 16:10 — Accepting correction as part of discipleship
• 20:20 — Parenting for virtue, not for venting anger
• 22:35 — Direct statement against abusive discipline
• 23:15 — Affirmation: “You matter and you’re loved.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the core difference:
  “There is a difference between discipline and destruction. There’s a massive difference.” (11:40)
• Fr. Mike’s mother’s approach:
  “She’d walk over to where the paddle was … and we just calmed down. It worked for us.” (14:00)
• On loving correction:
  “The whole point is offering one’s child or one’s children discipline, not beating them up. … Because why? The discipline is oriented towards the child’s growing up to be a good human being.”
• On the weight of parental responsibility:
  “I discipline you now … so that later on you can be the kind of person who … has the virtue needed to help the people around you and help yourself.” (22:15)
• On trauma and healing:
  “What you experienced was not godly. It was not of the Lord. … You matter. It matters. And you’re loved.” (22:35-23:15)

Tone & Style

Fr. Mike’s delivery blends earnestness, empathy, and occasional humor. He is candid about his own upbringing, acknowledges contrasting experiences among listeners, and repeatedly encourages understanding, healing, and prayerful support for one another.

Summary

This episode uses the day's readings to reflect on the purpose and heart of discipline within families and communities—insisting discipline should always be grounded in love, aimed at growth, and never descend into violence or abuse. Fr. Mike connects these biblical insights to modern parenting, authority structures, and inner spiritual formation, urging listeners to discern, heal, and love with the heart of God.