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

Episode: Day 322 – The Ascension (2025)

Date: November 18, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Podcast by: Ascension

Overview of the Episode

This episode marks a significant turning point in the “Bible in a Year” journey—the beginning of the Church age as recounted in the Acts of the Apostles. Fr. Mike guides listeners through three key scripture readings:

• Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 1 (The Ascension and selection of Matthias)
• Romans, Chapter 1 (Opening of Paul’s theological masterpiece)
• Proverbs 26:24-26 (Warning against deceit)

Fr. Mike’s reflection emphasizes how the story of salvation now transitions from the life and mission of Jesus to the calling and empowerment of His followers—highlighting the Ascension and the imparting of the Holy Spirit’s “dynamite” power. He also underscores the personal relevance of these scriptures, urging listeners to see themselves as active participants in God’s continuing story.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to the “Age of the Church”

• Fr. Mike describes this as “day one of the Church” and notes the excitement of entering a new phase in salvation history.
• He reassures listeners that falling behind on daily readings is not a real problem:

  “It’s only an imaginary problem... You showed up today, and that’s all you need to do on day 322.” (02:10)

2. Acts 1: The Ascension and Promise of the Holy Spirit

• Luke, the author of Acts, links this book directly to his Gospel, forming a two-part narrative.

• The disciples, still yearning for restoration of the kingdom to Israel, ask Jesus the “big question”:

  “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”

• Jesus’ response is profound and redirects their expectations:

  “It is not for you to know times or seasons... but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be my witnesses...”

• Fr. Mike elaborates on the Greek term for “power”:

  “That word for power in verse 8 of chapter 1... is the Greek word dynamis... it’s where we get the word ‘dynamite’... Not little fun snaps, you know, like little firecrackers, but dynamite power.” (14:50)

• The role of every believer:

  “You’ll be my witnesses. You’ll be my martyrs. You’ll be the ones who bear witness to my life, death and resurrection... you’ll bring hope where there is no hope.” (16:20)

• Emphasis on moving from knowledge of the story to personal mission:

  “Now He’s not only calling us to have knowledge of ‘here’s what God has done,’ but to be a part of what God is doing... This is an invitation just like Jesus walking along the shores... saying, ‘Come, follow me.’” (17:00)

3. Romans 1: Paul’s Greeting and the Gospel’s Universal Power

• Fr. Mike notes that Romans is sometimes considered St. Paul’s masterpiece.

• Paul writes to a community he did not found and has not visited, expressing a mutual desire for encouragement:

  “I long to see you that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you, that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.” (Romans 1:11-12, read at 07:10)

• Centrality of unashamed faith:

  “For I am not ashamed of the gospel. It is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith...” (Romans 1:16, highlighted at 20:00) “Such a powerful, powerful line... For I’m not ashamed of the Gospel. This is verse 16 in chapter 1. It is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith.” (20:00)

• Paul addresses the spiritual status of Jews and Gentiles in Rome:

  • There’s a divide between Jewish and Gentile Christians.
  • Paul begins his argument by pointing out even Gentiles (pagans) could recognize God in creation, yet turned away, leading to various sins.

• Warning about sin and darkened hearts:

  “When we turn away from God, our intellect is darkened... the human heart almost knows no boundaries when it comes to the evil that we can devise... Gentiles, those who weren’t raised Jewish, they need the Lord, they need the gospel, and actually they need to have the obedience of faith because they have no excuse... they should know some of these things you ought to never do.” (22:40)

4. Proverbs 26:24-26 – The Danger of Hidden Hatred

• The brief proverb underlines deceit and hatred masked by gracious words:

  “He who hates dissembles with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart... though his hatred be covered... his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.” (10:25, paraphrased)

5. Spiritual Encouragement & Application

• Fr. Mike prays fervently for listeners to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to embrace their call to bring the gospel to the world:

  “We ask you, Lord, to please come and fill us with your Holy Spirit, just like the apostles gathered together, united with each other and united with Mary... so we can bring your gospel and bring you... to the world. We make this prayer in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.” (11:03)

• He reiterates that, after journeying through most of the Bible, listeners now stand at the point of becoming active participants in God’s plan:

  “...the Lord has led us to this moment where we know who the Lord is. We know who God is. We know the story, we know that we’re part of the story. And here's Jesus making you know that... you know the story. You know who I am. You know you can trust me. Now come and follow me.” (16:40)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On being behind in the reading plan:

  “That is an imaginary problem. That’s not even a real thing. You showed up today, and that’s all you need to do...” (02:10)

• On receiving the Holy Spirit:

  “Not little fun snaps... but dynamite power. And you’ll receive dynamite power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.” (14:55)

• On the theme of witness and martyrdom:

  “The word witness is the Greek word martis or martyr. Right? ... You’ll be my witnesses. You’ll be my martyrs. You’ll be the ones who bear witness to my life, death and resurrection... you’ll bring hope where there is no hope.” (16:20)

• On the invitation to live the faith:

  “This is an invitation just like Jesus walking along the shores... saying, ‘Come, follow me.’ Jesus today is saying... Now come and follow me.” (17:00)

• On Romans being Paul’s masterpiece and the universal power of the Gospel:

  “Paul’s writing to the Romans... He wants them to sustain him... and he says in chapter one, verse 12, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith...” (19:00) “Such a powerful, powerful line... For I am not ashamed of the gospel. It is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith...” (20:00)

Important Timestamps

• 00:00 – 02:30: Fr. Mike reflects on community, encourages those who may have fallen behind
• 04:30 – 10:00: Reading of Acts 1 (Ascension and election of Matthias)
• 10:00 – 11:00: Reading of Proverbs 26:24-26
• 11:00 – 12:30: Guided prayer for the coming of the Holy Spirit
• 12:30 – 19:00: Reflection on Acts 1, the Ascension, and meaning of “power” and “witness”
• 19:00 – 22:30: Introduction to Paul’s Letter to the Romans, its context, and major themes
• 22:30 – 24:00: Fr. Mike’s final encouragement and reminder to check out the timeline introduction with Jeff Cavins

Episode Tone & Style

Fr. Mike’s tone is enthusiastic, pastoral, approachable, and often filled with awe at the mysteries of salvation history. He brings scripture to life with vivid explanations, analogies (e.g., “dynamite power”), and warm encouragement for all listeners—regardless of where they are in their journey through the Bible.

Takeaways for Listeners

• Participation: Listeners are invited not just to learn about God’s story, but to live it as Spirit-empowered witnesses.
• Encouragement: Each day’s progress—no matter how belated—is significant.
• The Holy Spirit: Is the means by which the mission continues, with a power likened to dynamite.
• Unity and Mission: The diversity of the early Church (Jews and Gentiles) required unity under the Gospel, a theme as relevant today as then.
• Invitation: Jesus’ call to “follow me” is as real for listeners now as it was for the first disciples.

End of summary for Day 322: The Ascension (2025)
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