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

Episode: Day 299: Jeremiah Hides the Ark (2025)

Date: October 26, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Scripture Readings: 2 Maccabees 2; Sirach 42–44; Proverbs 24:8–9

Episode Overview

On Day 299, Fr. Mike takes listeners through pivotal texts in 2 Maccabees, Sirach, and Proverbs, centering the discussion on the mystery of the hidden Ark of the Covenant, the significance of historical memory, and a praise of God’s magnificent works in creation. Fr. Mike connects these ancient stories to the broader arc of salvation history and invites reflection on how we ourselves hope to be remembered—primarily as conduits pointing others to God.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Hiding of the Ark (2 Maccabees 2)

• Jeremiah’s Actions: Fr. Mike recounts how, during a time of crisis, the prophet Jeremiah concealed the Tent, Ark, and Altar of Incense in a secret, unmarked mountain cave, ensuring their safety until God once again gathers His people in mercy (00:04–03:30).
• Spiritual Symbolism: Fr. Mike highlights how the Ark’s physical absence from the Second Temple becomes a powerful spiritual sign, paralleling themes that come to fruition in the New Testament, especially in the Book of Revelation:
  • Quote: “The presence of God would abide in the Ark… the Aaron’s staff, the manna, and the law of Moses. Of course, Mary’s the new Ark and Jesus… is the great high priest. He is the Word become flesh…and the true bread from heaven.” (16:25)
  • The next appearance of the Ark in canonical scripture is in Revelation 12, reinforcing these links.

2. Compiler’s Preface & Historical Memory (2 Maccabees 2)

• Fr. Mike discusses the compiler’s preface that summarises the extensive records (originally five volumes by Jason of Cyrene), with the present text offering a condensed, accessible version emphasizing God’s role and the faithfulness (and failures) of the Jewish people (19:22).
  • Quote: “I’m going to highlight God’s role in all of this… not just the battles…but where God was in this and how people were called to be great heroes…and how some did abandon the faith. And that’s just remarkable.” (20:00)

3. Remembering Our Forebearers (Sirach 44)

• The reading from Sirach is a litany of remembrance for the “famous men and our fathers in their generations”—patriarchs like Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Fr. Mike extends the reflection to our own lives:
  • What do we want to be remembered for?
  • Is it more important that people remember our name, or that we helped them know God better?
  • Quote: “We may not be remembered by the world… But when your kids remember you… what will they remember? Will they remember that we loved them, that we loved the Lord, and that they know Jesus just a little bit better because of us? I hope so.” (22:10)
• He reminds listeners that while human memory fades with time, living with faithfulness has a lasting, even eternal, impact.

4. The Incomparable Greatness of God (Sirach 43)

• Fr. Mike leans into the poetic celebration of God’s works in creation:
  • “Though we speak much, we cannot reach the end. And the sum of our words is: He is the all.” (Sirach 43:27)
  • Quote: “We can talk about God forever. That we speak much, we cannot reach the end. And the sum of all our words is: He is the all.” (24:20)
• A call to worship: No matter how much we praise God, He surpasses it all—so give Him all your strength in praise.

5. Practical Takeaways (from Proverbs & Prayer)

• Letting Go: Fr. Mike’s guided prayer encourages us to let go of anything that keeps us from God—anger, bitterness, pride, vanity—so we can be freer to love God and others (13:10).
• Importance of Right Action: Proverbs warns against being a “mischief maker” and highlights the destructive nature of devising folly (12:15).
  • Proverbs 24:8–9: “He who plans to do evil will be called a mischief maker. The devising of folly is sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to men.”

Memorable Quotes

• On the Ark's Disappearance:
  “The temple is going to be empty… there may be a rebuilding or a reconsecration…but it’s going to be bereft of the presence of God in this particular way that’s signified by the Ark. This is just, man, bonkers.” — Fr. Mike Schmitz (17:58)
• On Living for God’s Memory:
  “If they forget me, no problem. But if they know Jesus because of the witness we give, that’s enough. Even if they forget our names, if they never forget his name, that would be enough.” — Fr. Mike Schmitz (22:41)
• On Praise:
  “‘Though we speak much, we cannot reach the end. And the sum of our words is: He is the all.’ …What an incredible gift. To be able to know the Lord like that, to be able to praise him like that, is an incredible gift.”— Fr. Mike Schmitz (24:20)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:04 | Introduction, plan for today’s readings | | 03:30 | 2 Maccabees 2: Jeremiah Hides the Ark – reading and initial comments | | 16:25 | Reflection on Ark’s symbolism, Old and New Testament connections | | 19:22 | Compiler’s preface—value of remembering and condensing the story | | 22:10 | Sirach 44 and personal application—how we’re remembered | | 24:20 | The greatness of God—“He is the all” and call to praise | | 13:10 & End | Guided prayer and closing encouragement for the day |

Episode's Tone & Style

• Warm, personal, confessional—Fr. Mike frequently jokes about his “bad math” and math anxieties, making the session approachable
• Deeply reverent for Scripture and salvation history
• Inviting, with frequent calls to prayer and reflection on daily living
• Passionate about connecting ancient texts to modern life and personal spiritual growth

Summary

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz guides listeners through the mysterious hiding of the Ark of the Covenant, explores the importance of remembering our spiritual ancestors, and issues a heartfelt call to praise God with all our might—because “He is the all.” Listeners are challenged to consider their legacy, to find freedom through letting go of resentment and sin, and to let their lives point others toward God. As always, Fr. Mike closes with encouragement, prayer, and a reminder that the true impact of our lives may be measured in how we help others know and love God.