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

Day 321: Jesus’ Prayer in the Garden
Date: November 17, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Podcast by: Ascension

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode marks the conclusion of Luke’s Gospel in the podcast’s journey through Scripture. Fr. Mike Schmitz guides listeners through pivotal moments: Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, his arrest, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. The reflection focuses on the centrality of prayer in Jesus’ life, the meaning of his final words from the cross, and the significance of the Eucharist in the Emmaus story, inviting listeners to deep, personal prayer and a continual return to God’s Word.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jesus’ Consistent Life of Prayer

• Luke’s Emphasis: Fr. Mike highlights Luke’s recurring portrayal of Jesus in prayer, more than any other gospel (41:45).
• Why Does Jesus Pray?
  • Not out of need for strength or answers; Jesus, being God, doesn’t “need” anything from the Father.
  • “What he would pray for is ... to be close to the Father ... to have communion with the Father.” (42:20)
• Invitation to Listeners:
  • Let your prayer imitate Christ’s—seeking relationship, not only resolution.
  • “You have access to the Father’s heart at all times, in all places. So why don’t we take advantage of that access?” (43:05)

2. The Prayer in Gethsemane: Radical Honesty and Trust

• Jesus Models Prayer:
  • “Father, if you are willing, remove this chalice from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done.” (44:05)
    • Honesty: Jesus expresses true human emotion and struggle.
    • Trust: Submits fully to the Father’s will.
  • “Jesus’ prayer is honest and it’s trusting. He tells God exactly … where he’s at … but the trusting part is nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done.” (44:20)

3. Jesus’ Words from the Cross in Luke’s Gospel

• Fr. Mike spotlights three of Jesus’ utterances:
  • Mercy:
    • “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (45:00)
      • “Mercy is the love we don’t deserve.” (45:10)
  • Hope:
    • “Truly, I say to you, today, you will be with me in paradise.” (45:17)
  • Faith/Trust:
    • “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” (45:24)
      • “From the cross we have these three words of faith and hope and love.” (45:30)
• Takeaway: Our own prayers can become words of faith, hope, and love—even in suffering.

4. The Road to Emmaus: Eucharistic Encounter & Biblical Continuity

• Unique to Luke: The road to Emmaus narrative; possibly features Cleopas and his wife (47:00).
• “There’s a sense of this being the undoing of Genesis 2 and 3,” Fr. Mike notes, drawing a parallel:
  • Genesis: Husband and wife eat from the tree, causing death.
  • Emmaus: Husband and wife (possibly) “eat from the fruit of the tree of life” (the Eucharist/the Cross), leading to eternal life.
• Early Church Symbolism:
  • Christmas tree traditions: green and red bulbs represent the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge; circular cookies reflect the Eucharist, fruit from the tree of the Cross (47:55).
    • “From the original tree ... you have this fruit that brings death. From this tree, the tree of the cross, we get the Eucharist, which is the fruit that gives life.” (48:10)

5. Scripture Fulfilled and Hearts Opened

• Jesus explains to the disciples all that was written about him “in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms” (49:00).
• “Imagine Jesus opening up your minds to understand every single piece in the Old Testament that referred to him. You know those stories.” (49:20)
• Encouragement to Listeners:
  • “Maybe I’ll go back and re-listen, maybe I’ll go back and read through … because it’s a never-ending source of joy, of knowledge, of wisdom, and of faith, hope, and love.” (49:35)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Prayer:

  “What he would pray for is … to be close to the Father, to have communion with the Father. And that’s one of the great reasons for us to pray.”
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz (42:20)

• On Why We Don’t Pray:

  “You have access to the Father’s heart at all times, in all places. So why don’t we take advantage of that access?”
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz (43:05)

• On the Words from the Cross:

  “From the cross we have these three words of faith and hope and love. Right? … Mercy is the love we don’t deserve. And that’s God’s word here, Jesus’ word on the cross.”
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz (45:30)

• The Road to Emmaus and the Tree:

  “From the original tree in the Old Testament, you have this fruit that brings death … But then from this tree, the tree of the cross, we get what? We get the Eucharist, which is the fruit that gives life to the whole world.”
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz (48:10)

• On Returning to Scripture:

  “The Scriptures here are a never-ending source of joy, of knowledge, of wisdom, and of faith, hope, and love.”
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz (49:35)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 41:45 — Luke’s unique focus on Jesus’ prayer life
• 44:05 — Jesus’ honesty and trust in the Garden
• 45:00-45:24 — Jesus’ three words from the Cross
• 47:00-48:10 — The Road to Emmaus, the Eucharist, and biblical symbolism
• 49:00-49:35 — Jesus opens the Scriptures; why continually return to the Bible

Conclusion and Reflection

Fr. Mike closes with a call to hold onto prayer as the primary way to “draw near to the Father,” just as Jesus did at all stages of his life—even as we approach the final days of the podcast. He encourages making a plan to remain in the Word—possibly starting again or revisiting favorite passages—since the Bible remains a living wellspring of faith, hope, and love.

“Guys, I’m praying for you. Please pray for me. My name is Fr. Mike. I cannot wait to see you tomorrow. God bless.” (50:10)