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

Episode: Day 301: Rising Again
Date: October 28, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz

Episode Overview

In Day 301, Fr. Mike Schmitz continues guiding listeners through the Bible, focusing on pivotal moments of internal and external corruption in Israel's story and the continued theme of God’s mercy for His people despite persistent human weakness. This episode features readings from 2 Maccabees 4, Sirach 47-49, and Proverbs 24:13-16. Fr. Mike reflects on how the stories fit within salvation history and draws relevant lessons about resilience—emphasizing how the righteous “rise again” even after many failures.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Corruption and Cultural Assimilation in 2 Maccabees 4

• Jason's Corrupt Rise to High Priesthood

  • Jason obtains the high priesthood through bribery and further corruption, marking a new era of religious and cultural compromise ([03:20]).
  • Fr. Mike points out the significance:
    • “Everyone seems like they're obtaining the high priesthood now at this place, at this time by corruption, basically saying, ‘Hey, I'll promise to pay even more than the guy before me.’” (Fr. Mike, 22:01)
  • Jason introduces Greek (Hellenistic) customs, enrolling Jerusalem’s youth as citizens of Antioch and building a gymnasium—strategically targeting youth to shift their cultural identity.

• Internal Betrayal and Deterioration

  • Menelaus outbids Jason for the priesthood, exhibiting ongoing corruption and backstabbing.
  • Fr. Mike emphasizes:
    • “You recognize the corruption not only of the youth, but the corruption of the religious figures at this time. … It’s not just people from the outside… this is people on the ground.” (Fr. Mike, 22:45)
  • The narrative reveals a multi-layered struggle—Jewish leaders become agents of foreign influence and moral decay from within, not just victims of external oppression.

2. Summing Up the Stories of Israel: Sirach 47-49

• Honoring and Lamenting Israel's Leaders

  • Sirach commemorates David, Solomon, Elijah, Elisha, Hezekiah, and Josiah, recalling both their greatness and failings.
  • Fr. Mike highlights the growing familiarity listeners now have with these figures and stories ([20:10]):
    • “Those stories, you're even able to say, ‘Oh, Josiah, I remember that guy. Yeah, Josiah was one of those righteous kings…’”
  • Sirach underscores that only a remnant remains faithful—a recurring theme as the Old Testament nears its close.

• The Cycle of Sin and God’s Persistent Mercy

  • Even remarkable leaders like Solomon stray, leading to consequences for generations.
  • The text affirms, however:
    • “The Lord will never give up his mercy nor cause any of his works to perish.” (Sirach 47:22, implied in Fr. Mike’s paraphrasing at [21:05])

• Transitioning to the New Testament

  • Fr. Mike prepares listeners for the coming shift:
    • “In a few short days… we'll be firmly planted in the New Testament, beginning with our reading of the Gospel of Luke…” (Fr. Mike, 20:40)
  • He stresses how understanding the Old Testament deepens the meaning of the New—a core theme of the podcast journey.

3. Reflection on Perseverance: Proverbs 24:13-16

• Wisdom and Hope

  • Proverbs links the sweetness of honey to the goodness and value of wisdom.

• The Righteous Rise Again

  • The key verse:
    • “For a righteous man falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.” (Proverbs 24:16)
  • Fr. Mike expands on this:
    • “Recognizing… when we recognize our weakness, it can be discouraging... But here's Proverbs that reminds us, even the righteous person falls seven times a day. … But what also happens? The righteous man falls seven times and rises again. And that's the key.” (Fr. Mike, 23:20)
  • He encourages listeners not to let repeated failure discourage them from turning back to God’s grace, drawing a parallel to the recurring themes of Israel's story.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Internal Corruption:

  • “You recognize the corruption not only of the youth, but the corruption of the religious figures at this time. … It’s not just people from the outside. … this is people on the ground.”
    — Fr. Mike Schmitz, [22:45]

• On Story Familiarity and Salvation History:

  • “That sense of being able to know the story is just one of the gifts… as we leave the Old Testament and journey into the New Testament.”
    — Fr. Mike Schmitz, [20:15]

• On God’s Mercy and Human Weakness:

  • “Throughout the course of these 301 days, we have heard the story of many falls, the story of so much corruption, the story of so much sin. And yet what happens? God keeps pouring out his mercy…”
    — Fr. Mike Schmitz, [23:50]

• Encouragement Not to Give Up:

  • “The only thing that could ever actually stop us is if we just didn't let him pick us up again. … Let the Lord's grace and love meet you right now and defeat discouragement by the courage that comes from Him.”
    — Fr. Mike Schmitz, [24:26]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:04: Fr. Mike’s introduction and reading plan summary
• 03:20: 2 Maccabees 4 – Jason’s corruption and Hellenization
• 20:10: Reflections on familiarity with Israel’s story; segue into significance of Sirach
• 22:01: Commentary on corruption, focus on internal rot among leaders
• 23:20: Reflection on Proverbs 24:16 and the message of perseverance
• 24:26: Final encouragement and prayer

Summary and Takeaway

This episode spotlights one of the Bible’s central motifs: despite repeated failings—whether through personal weakness or systemic corruption—God’s people are called and empowered to rise again. The blending of biblical narrative and personal encouragement serves to remind listeners that God’s mercy abounds even as his people fall. As the series nears the New Testament, Fr. Mike urges listeners to let hope, resilience, and grace guide their journey.