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

Episode: Day 296: Know Your Heart (2025)
Date: October 23, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz

Overview of the Episode

In Day 296, "Know Your Heart," Fr. Mike Schmitz guides listeners through readings from 1 Maccabees 15, Sirach 36–37, and Proverbs 23:26, 30–28. The main theme focuses on the ongoing struggles for the land of Israel, the practical and spiritual wisdom found in Sirach, and a heartfelt reflection on the value of introspection—truly knowing and testing one’s own heart. Fr. Mike draws connections between the historical conflicts faced by Israel and the personal battles and decisions faced by believers today, emphasizing the importance of godly counsel and self-awareness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Conflict and Leadership in 1 Maccabees 15

• Antiochus VII’s Letter and Political Drama: Antiochus VII asserts his claim over the Jewish lands, offering recognition and privileges but with underlying political expectations.
  • “Antiochus, who essentially says that this is now my land. I want my land back, and give it to me at this price.” [19:31]
• Simon's Leadership: Simon, the Jewish leader, responds not with submission but by affirming their legitimate inheritance—underscoring the importance of understanding and standing by one's history and faith.
  • “We have neither taken foreign land nor seized foreign property, but only the inheritance of our fathers, which at one time had been unjustly taken by our enemies.” (Read from 1 Macc 15, echoed in Fr. Mike’s summary)
• The Ongoing Battle for Canaan: Fr. Mike connects these repeating historical conflicts to larger questions of identity, divine promise, and human striving.
  • “This land was given to the Jews by the Lord God... there is something divine about this.” [21:18]

2. Wisdom Literature—Sirach 36-37

• God’s Mercy and Intervention: Sirach 36 includes a prayer for divine judgment and mercy, asking God to show favor to Israel and restore its fortunes.
• Choosing Wise Counsel and True Friendship:
  • Importance of discernment in choosing friends and counselors: not all who call themselves friends truly are.
    • “Every friend will say, I too am a friend. But some friends are friends only in name.” [24:06]
    • “Every counselor praises counsel, but some give counsel in their own interest... be wary of a counselor.” [24:54]
  • Testing advice and recognizing hidden motives: “He’s going to tell you your way is good and then stand aloof to see what happens to you.” [25:43]
  • Wisdom in knowing whom not to consult (“Do not consult with a woman about her rival,” etc.), and the necessity of seeking counsel from those who share your values and are “keepers of the commandments.”
    • “Pay no attention to these in any matter of counsel, but stay constantly with a godly man whom you know to be a keeper of the commandments.” [26:43]

3. Introspection: “Know Your Heart”

• The Invaluable Gift of Self-Knowledge:
  • Fr. Mike emphasizes establishing “the counsel of your own heart” as the ultimate standard for discernment and decision-making.
    • “Establish the counsel of your own heart, for no one is more faithful to you than it is.” [27:19]
  • He elaborates on the need to understand the movements, wounds, and strengths of one’s heart—how this is “priceless” and “invaluable.”
    • “To learn your own heart. To learn my own heart is... priceless. It is invaluable, the worth of knowing your own heart.” [27:41]
  • Sirach's wisdom: “A man’s soul sometimes keeps him better informed than seven watchmen sitting high on a watchtower.” [28:04]
• Final Admonition: Pray for God’s guidance alongside listening to one’s heart—“Besides all this, pray to the Most High that he may direct your way in truth.” [28:16]

4. Proverbs—Guarding the Heart

• Briefly reflects on Proverbs 23: “My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.” This passage further reinforces the importance of offering one’s heart to God and following His guidance.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the battles for Israel:

  • “Who does this belong to? This reality basically extends all the way down to 2021 or 2022... This is the battle.” [21:01]

• On relationship wisdom:

  • “It asks the question, is it not a grief to death when a companion and friend turns to enmity? That’s so true.” [24:20]
  • “Every counselor praises counsel, but some give counsel in their own interest.” [24:54]

• On choosing whom to trust:

  • “Do not consult with a woman about her rival, or with a coward about war, or with a merchant about barter...” [26:04]

• On knowing oneself:

  • “To know like what are the movements of my heart? How do I hear the Lord’s voice? What are the wounds of my heart? Where are the holes, the gaps, the cracks in my heart? And where is my heart fortified? Where’s my heart wise? Where’s my heart foolish?” [27:45]

• On Sirach's journey:

  • “It has been a gift of a journey. So as for a lot of us, journeying through the Book of Maccabees has been a gift. And I cannot wait to introduce you all to second Maccabees... it is juicy. It is full of goodness. Like a juicy orange or something like that.” [29:03]

Important Timestamps

• Scripture Readings Begin: 01:50
• Reflection on Maccabees: 19:31
• Reflections on Sirach: 24:06
• Choosing Counselors and Friends: 24:54 – 27:19
• On Self-Knowledge (“Know Your Heart”): 27:19 – 28:16
• Anticipation for 2 Maccabees: 29:03

Tone and Style

Fr. Mike maintains a conversational, pastoral, and enthusiastic tone. He balances historical commentary with practical spiritual advice, engaging the listener with humor (“It’s juicy. Like a juicy orange... I’m so sorry!” [29:03]) and relatable insights. His teaching style encourages listeners to draw direct applications for their own spiritual growth.

Conclusion

This episode blends narrative, wisdom, and reflection, highlighting the need for discernment both in historic events (the Jewish people's struggle for their land) and in daily life decisions (choosing friends, counselors, and learning to trust and examine one’s own heart). Fr. Mike encourages listeners to seek wisdom from God, trustworthy people, and within themselves, closing with gratitude for the Scripture journey and anticipation for what comes next.

For those journeying through the Bible in a Year, this episode deeply explores the intersection of biblical history and personal spiritual reflection, making wisdom and self-knowledge the pillars of authentic faith.