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

Episode Summary: Day 306: Wisdom Is Beautiful

Date: November 2, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz (Ascension)

Overview of the Episode

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz guides listeners through the readings for Day 306 of the Bible in a Year journey. The main theme centers on the stunning beauty and profound power of Wisdom, as reflected in the Book of Wisdom chapters 7 and 8 and Proverbs 25:1-3. Alongside these spiritual reflections, Fr. Mike unpacks the dramatic downfall of Antiochus Epiphanes from 2 Maccabees 9, drawing out key distinctions between God’s visible and invisible actions in history. Through prayer and encouragement, he reassures listeners of God’s constant presence, especially in times of suffering.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Recap of the Scripture Readings

• 2 Maccabees 9: The last campaign and death of Antiochus Epiphanes, whose arrogance leads to a dramatic and humiliating demise reflecting the justice of God.
• Wisdom 7-8: Solomon’s deep yearning for, and exaltation of, divine Wisdom—her qualities, beauty, and transforming power.
• Proverbs 25:1-3: Reflections on the glory of seeking out wisdom and the mysterious depths of kingship and God’s ways.

2. Antiochus Epiphanes: The Justice of God (Starts at ~03:40)

• Fr. Mike recounts Antiochus’s defeat and suffering as more than just the outcome of human conflict; it’s depicted as the direct intervention of God in response to arrogance and evil:
  • "Who defeated him was the Lord God himself. And it was because Antiochus, his evil had gotten to a point where there was no coming back." [23:55]
• Antiochus’s belated promise to God comes from fear and desperation, not true contrition:
  • "He simply was kind of using God as a fire escape kind of a situation. And it didn’t help him, didn’t get him any better." [24:35]

3. Themes of Wisdom: Elegance, Power, and Accessibility (Starts at ~10:20)

• Fr. Mike meditates on Wisdom’s attributes, referencing the remarkable litany in Wisdom 7:22ff:
  • "Every single one of them is worth meditating on in our prayer. These are characteristics. These are elements of your wisdom." [10:50]
• Wisdom is described as the active, radiant, and unfathomable presence of God, parallel to the Holy Spirit:
  • "She is a breath of the power of God and a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty. Therefore nothing defiled gains entrance into her." [11:30]
• Wisdom surpasses all created lights, riches, beauty, and even health:
  • "All gold is but a little sand in her sight, and silver will be accounted as clay before her. I loved her more than health and beauty…” [09:40]

4. God’s Role: Present and Active (Starts at ~13:20)

• The contrast between 1 and 2 Maccabees is explored, highlighting how the former offers a more human-centered narrative, while the latter emphasizes divine action in historical events.
• Fr. Mike draws a parallel to our spiritual lives:
  • "We can take one of two perspectives. The first perspective is First Maccabees: God is kind of sort of there, but you just really fight for yourself. Or Second Maccabees: God is definitely there and he is active in your life…" [14:20]
• Assurance in suffering: God’s presence does not mean exemption from pain but guarantees His involvement.

5. Personal Encouragement to Listeners (Starts at ~17:30)

• Fr. Mike directly addresses those in the community facing hardship:
  • "If this is the worst day of your life, or the worst day of your life just happened, we as a community, we need you to know that God is with you; that he loves you; he's active; he's present." [18:20]
• The invitation to mutual prayer and solidarity, reflecting the unity of all listeners on the journey.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Wisdom’s Divine Origin:

  "I longed for her, but I also know whose gift she is. I don’t get wisdom for myself. We only get wisdom from the Lord God himself."
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz [09:00]

• Expanded Attributes of Wisdom:

  "In her there is a spirit that is intelligent, holy, unique, manifold, subtle, mobile...invulnerable, loving the good, keen, irresistible, beneficent...penetrating through all spirits that are intelligent and pure and most subtle."
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz, quoting Wisdom 7 [10:40]

• On the Difference Between the Maccabees:

  "The goal of Second Maccabees is definitely to show how God was involved...they’re not contradictory. They’re complementary."
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz [14:50]

• On God’s Unseen Presence:

  "God is with you. Even if you can’t see him working, if you can’t feel him working... you are not alone. You’re not alone because he’s there, and you’re not alone because we’re there. We’re here. We’re praying for each other."
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz [18:20]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:04] — Opening and Readings Announcement
• [03:40] — 2 Maccabees 9 Recap: Antiochus’s Downfall
• [09:00] — Wisdom’s Divine Origin and Solomon’s Prayer
• [10:40] — Attributes of Wisdom, Meditation on Her Qualities
• [11:30] — Wisdom as the Power and Image of God
• [14:20] — Interplay Between God’s Visibility in 1 and 2 Maccabees
• [17:30] — Message to Listeners in Suffering
• [18:20] — Affirmation of God’s Presence, Community Prayer

Final Reflections

In a deeply engaging and pastoral tone, Fr. Mike Schmitz links the ancient scriptural search for wisdom with the struggles and hopes of listeners today. He urges us to see Wisdom not just as a biblical abstraction but as God’s own living presence—offered to all who ask. By highlighting God’s unwavering activity in both triumph and suffering, the episode reassures listeners that God’s love and wisdom illuminate even life’s darkest days.

For next episode: The journey continues with the dramatic prayer of Solomon for Wisdom in Wisdom chapter 9, inviting listeners to reflect even more personally on what it means to yearn for and receive the beautiful gift of God’s Wisdom.