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

Episode: Day 310: Rivals for the Heart

Date: November 6, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz | Ascension

Overview

Day 310 of "The Bible in a Year" leans into the theme of rivals for the heart, exploring how idolatry—both ancient and modern—poses a challenge to a relationship with God. Through readings from 2 Maccabees, the Book of Wisdom, and Proverbs, Fr. Mike reflects on how seemingly good things can become God's chief competitors for our devotion and love. He encourages listeners to examine their own lives for these “rivals,” using anecdotes and scriptural insight to underscore how only God deserves ultimate loyalty.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Scripture Readings and Context

• 2 Maccabees 13:

  • Describes the siege by Antiochus Eupator and the downfall of Menelaus, highlighting the power of staying faithful to God amidst overwhelming odds.
  • Key takeaway: God’s justice and mercy are evident, even as political and personal betrayals unfold.

• Wisdom 15-16:

  • Contrasts true worship of God with the folly of idol worship.
  • Details how man-made idols—created out of clay or even animal images—are lifeless, powerless, and unworthy of devotion.
  • Key takeaway: God's mercy and sustenance (symbolized by “food of angels” and deliverance from harm) stand in stark contrast to the emptiness of false gods.

• Proverbs 25:15-17:

  • Offers practical guidance:
    • Patience can persuade a ruler.
    • Moderation even with good things (“If you have found honey…”).
    • Respecting others' space (“Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house…”).

2. Reflection: Pressure Over Time

Fr. Mike draws a parallel between perseverance in faith and the principle of ‘pressure over time’:

"With patience, a ruler may be persuaded and a soft tongue will break a bone." (Proverbs 25:15)

“There is such a thing as pressure over time that can accomplish great things. Day one might not have blown your socks off, or even 90 days in the prophets, but that pressure over time—being patient and allowing God’s word to bring his will to fulfillment in your life—is remarkable.” (20:19)

He uses the analogy of the movie Shawshank Redemption, comparing Andy Dufresne’s eventual escape to the slow, steady formation that occurs when we are consistent in our relationship with God.

3. Moderation and Boundaries

• Scriptural Wisdom:

  “If you have found honey, eat only enough for you lest you be sated with it and vomit it.” (Proverbs 25:16)

• Fr. Mike relates a personal family anecdote:

  “My mom and dad would always say my eyes were too big for my stomach—we’d go to the buffet line and just overload. There’s something to be said for knowing when to quit, not just with food, but with all good things.” (21:42)

He connects this with the dangers of overindulgence—how even good things (food, hobbies, relationships) can become excessive and crowd out what matters most.

4. Modern Idolatry: Who or What Rivals God in Your Heart?

The Book of Wisdom’s Critique of Idolatry

• Ancient people made gods out of clay, gold, ugly animals—even insects.
• Fr. Mike notes that biblical idolatry often repurposed creation’s good things into ultimate things, giving them power and status they do not deserve.

Applying the Lesson Today

Fr. Mike challenges listeners:

“We don’t typically make gods out of bad things. We take good things and make them into ultimate things—God’s chief rivals for our hearts.” (23:40)

• He proposes diagnostic questions:

  • “What is God’s chief rival for my heart?”
  • “Who or what is God’s chief rival for my time?”

  “Is there anything that, if it came down to this thing or God, this thing might actually have a shot? If that’s the case, that thing might be a rival for God in your heart.” (24:36)

• He uses sports as a primary example, describing families who skip Mass for weekend tournaments:

  “You just identified your idol—you just identified God’s chief rival for your family’s eternal soul. [...] You can never bank on that being worth it.” (25:13)

5. A Personal Story: Hockey, Success, and True Fulfillment

• Fr. Mike tells the story of a student, Kyle, who scored the NCAA Frozen Four winning goal and later converted to Catholicism:

  “He said, ‘It was really cool that I got to do that… But nothing is going to compare with the first time I get to receive Jesus in the Eucharist when I become Catholic.’” (26:08)

  • Years later, Kyle says the goal isn’t even in his top ten life moments—the Eucharist, his marriage, and his children all rank higher.
• Reflection: Even extraordinary achievements pale in comparison to a relationship with Christ.

  “Yet here we are, willing to let our sport, job, hobbies become God’s chief rivals in our lives for our hearts. The book of Wisdom would say: that seems to me to be foolish.” (27:15)

Memorable Quotes

• On Idols (Book of Wisdom):

  “His heart is ashes, his hope is cheaper than dirt, and his life is of less worth than clay, because he failed to know the one who formed him and inspired him with an active soul and breathed into him a living spirit.” (Wisdom 15:10-11; read by Fr. Mike at ~09:02)

• On What or Who Rivals God:

  “Our relationship with God does not tolerate rivals—marriages don’t tolerate rivals, and our relationship with God doesn’t either… If there’s anything that might have a shot over God, you may have found your idol.” (24:45)

• On True Priorities:

  "'Nothing is going to compare with the first time I get to receive Jesus in the Eucharist… that goal is no longer even in my top 10.'" (26:38, story about Kyle)

• Closing Reflection:

  “That’s the little sermon for today... I’m praying for you, and I hope you’re praying for me. My name is Fr. Mike; I cannot wait to see you tomorrow. God bless.” (27:45)

Notable Timestamps

• [03:15] – Recap of 2 Maccabees 13: Siege, battle, and Menelaus’ fate
• [09:02] – Book of Wisdom on the futility of idol worship
• [17:40] – Proverbs 25, the wisdom of patience and moderation
• [20:19] – “Pressure and time” analogy and the impact of faithful perseverance
• [21:42] – Moderation in good things and personal anecdotes
• [23:40] – Diagnostic questions for finding our modern idols
• [25:13] – Sports as an example of a modern idol
• [26:08] – Story of Kyle, the NCAA hockey player, and true priorities

Summary Conclusion

Fr. Mike invites listeners to reflect deeply on what competes with God in their hearts, illustrating through scripture, wisdom literature, and real-life stories how easily good things can become God’s rivals when misplaced in our priorities. The episode exhorts believers to vigilance, gratitude, and a renewal of commitment, ensuring that nothing comes before a genuine relationship with God.

End of Summary.