The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz): Day 332

Episode Title: Barnabas and Paul On Mission
Date: November 28, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz (Ascension)

Episode Overview

In this penultimate (second-to-last) episode of The Bible in a Year, Fr. Mike guides listeners through pivotal passages that highlight the early Church’s expansion to the Gentiles and tackle issues of unity, division, and purpose within the Christian community. The readings for the day are Acts 11, 1 Corinthians 3–4, and Proverbs 27:23–27. Fr. Mike centers his commentary on Peter’s defense of welcoming Gentiles, the mission of Barnabas and Paul, and Paul’s teachings to a divided Corinthian church, weaving in practical reflections on encouragement, church leadership, spiritual growth, and the unity of all believers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Peter Defends God’s Grace to the Gentiles

(Acts 11 discussed from 02:40–08:45)

• Peter faces criticism from the circumcision party for eating with Gentiles. He recounts his vision in Joppa where God declares, “What God has cleansed, you must not call common.”
• Upon seeing the Holy Spirit descend on Gentiles, Peter asserts, “If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us...who was I that I could withstand God?”
• The Church is stretched by God’s inclusive grace, challenging its initial Jewish exclusivity.
• Notable moment: “Even the fact that God has opened up his grace to the Gentiles is something that challenges the preconceptions...of many, many people.” (15:13)

2. Antioch: Birthplace of ‘Christian’ Identity and Barnabas’s Encouragement

(Acts 11:19–30; commentary 09:00–18:10)

• Following persecution, believers share Jesus not only with Jews but also Greeks in Antioch—where “the disciples were for the first time called Christians.”
• Barnabas (“Son of Encouragement”), sent from Jerusalem, rejoices at God’s work and exhorts the new believers to perseverance.
• Barnabas seeks out Saul (Paul), and together they teach in Antioch for a year, establishing a strong Christian community.
• Memorable quote: “His nickname was Son of Encouragement...Can you imagine the Lord describing you: ‘He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.’” (17:40)
• Fr. Mike emphasizes that Paul “absolutely needed” a Barnabas—the encourager alongside the bold apostle, demonstrating the Church’s variety of roles and gifts.

3. Corinth’s Cultural Context and Paul’s Message on Unity

(Context and interpretation, 18:10–22:35)

• Corinth described as a metropolitan “city of sin”—the saying “to live like a Corinthian” meant moral laxity.
• Paul, mindful of failed attempts at philosophical debate in Athens, focused his message on “Jesus Christ and him crucified.”
• Pagan religious practice included sacrifices, cultic prostitution (linked to Aphrodite’s temple), and feasting—practices Paul’s gospel would challenge.
• Fr. Mike shares Pope Benedict’s critique of Nietzsche, highlighting Christianity’s affirmation of human dignity, particularly for the vulnerable.
• Paul addresses divisions in the church: “For when one says, ‘I belong to Paul,’ and another, ‘I belong to Apollos,’ are you not merely men?” (1 Cor 3:4)
• Memorable moment: “Paul couldn’t say to Barnabas, ‘I don’t need you,’ because he absolutely did need him. And the truth is, you have a specific role as well. You have a gift that the Lord needs.” (17:55–18:20)

4. Building on the Foundation—Teachings on Leadership, Purification, and Spiritual Maturity

(1 Corinthians 3–4; commentary 22:36–32:10)

• Paul uses the metaphor of building on a foundation—“no other foundation...than Jesus Christ.” Our works—whether gold or straw—will be tested “with fire” (capital “D” Day) to reveal their true value.
• Fr. Mike relates this to the doctrine of purgatory: “The process of purgatory is simply purification...things in my life that can’t be my life—that stuff needs to be burnt up in order to be able to enter into the fullness of God’s glory.” (29:10)
• Paul calls believers God’s temple: “Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?” (1 Cor 3:16)
• Paul rejects party spirit and self-glorification: “Let no one boast of men. For all things are yours...and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.” (1 Cor 3:21–23)
• On Apostleship: “This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.” Paul highlights humility, stewardship, and the call not to judge prematurely but await the Lord’s judgment.
• Notable quote: “Though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.” (1 Cor 4:15; 30:45)

5. Reflections on Spiritual Parenthood and Catholic Practice

(32:10–35:50)

• Fr. Mike addresses Catholic titles (“Father”) and spiritual fatherhood: Paul calls himself both “father” and Timothy his spiritual “child.”
• Fr. Mike clarifies, “We participate in God’s fatherhood...but He is the one true Father. Here is St. Paul who is referring to himself as Father. So hopefully...this helps a little bit...” (33:25)
• He calls for unity, not division: “We’re more united than we are divided...You belong to the Lord. The Holy Spirit is in you. You are his children. You’re the temple of the Holy Spirit.” (35:25)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Barnabas’s Character:
  “His nickname was Son of Encouragement...He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.” (17:40)
• On Spiritual Gifts:
  “The truth is, you have a specific role as well. You have a gift that the Lord needs...He desires to be known in this world through you and through me...Just because someone might not be the apostle doesn’t mean they don’t have a role.” (18:15–18:35)
• On Unity and Judgment:
  “Let no one boast of men. For all things are yours...and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.” (25:45)
• On Purification:
  “If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. The process of purgatory is simply purification.” (29:10)
• On Spiritual Parenthood:
  “For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.” (30:45)
• On Inclusion and Ecclesial Unity:
  “Hopefully no one feels like I am speaking of them as a second-class Christian. You belong to the Lord. The Holy Spirit is in you. You are his children. You’re the temple of the Holy Spirit.” (35:25)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:04: Opening, readings list, and context
• 02:40–08:45: Acts 11: Peter’s vision and the Gentile mission
• 09:00–18:10: Antioch, Barnabas, encouragement, and diverse roles in the Church
• 18:10–22:35: Corinth’s background; Paul’s approach and church divisions
• 22:36–29:10: 1 Corinthians 3: Building on Christ, unity, judgment, and purification
• 29:11–32:10: Apostleship, humility, spiritual maturity, and Paul as spiritual father
• 32:10–35:50: Catholic titles, unity, and concluding prayerful reflections

Tone and Language

Fr. Mike’s delivery is personal and encouraging, interweaving scriptural insight with practical and pastoral application. He speaks with warmth, humility, and a marked ecumenical spirit, emphasizing Church unity and the dignity of every believer, regardless of background or denominational label.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode exemplifies The Bible in a Year’s engaging blend of direct Bible reading, rich historical and spiritual context, and deeply relatable spiritual direction. Whether Catholic or not, listeners will appreciate Fr. Mike’s focus on encouragement (through Barnabas), the need for unity in the Church (in Corinth and today), living out our unique God-given roles, and the assurance that all who call on Christ are God’s beloved children.