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

Episode: Day 335: Run the Race (2025)
Date: December 1, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz

Episode Overview

This episode journeys through Acts 14, 1 Corinthians 9-10, and Proverbs 28:7-9, focusing on the themes of perseverance, the cost of apostleship, the certainty of suffering in the Christian life, and running the race of faith with purpose and discipline. Fr. Mike reflects on Paul and Barnabas’s missionary adventures, Paul's teaching on apostleship and discipline, and our shared call to endure and strive for heaven with commitment and trust in God's faithfulness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Paul and Barnabas’s Ministry, Miracles, and Persecution (Acts 14)

• Bold Proclamation & Division:
  Paul and Barnabas preach in Iconium, winning converts but also stirring division—leading to plots against them (00:55).

• Healing and Misunderstanding at Lystra:
  A lifelong cripple is healed by Paul. The crowds mistake Paul and Barnabas for gods—Hermes and Zeus—and attempt to offer sacrifices to them (03:09).

  • Paul’s Response: “Men, why are you doing this? We also are men of like nature with you and bring you good news...” (Acts 14:15).

• From Praise to Persecution:
  The crowd that wanted to worship Paul and Barnabas quickly turns, stones Paul, and leaves him for dead (06:48).

• Endurance and True Encouragement:
  Despite the attack, Paul returns to strengthen the disciples, telling them:

  “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22; 11:14)

  Fr. Mike comments:

  • “The praise of men and the shame of men… none of it matters. It’s so fickle. The same people who will say we want to worship you today will literally kill you tomorrow. That’s what they did to Jesus… This is what we can expect as Christians. Never expect the world to love you if you’re going to belong to Jesus.” (20:31)
  • “It is necessary that we enter the kingdom of God through suffering, through tribulations… this is how Paul and Barnabas strengthen the souls of the apostles—by reminding them that we enter the Kingdom through many tribulations.” (21:53)

2. Rights and Responsibilities of Apostleship (1 Corinthians 9)

• Paul’s Defense of His Apostolic Authority:
  Paul reminds the Corinthians he is free and an apostle, deserving support, but never exploited those rights among them.

• On Ministerial Rights & Sacrifice:
  Paul gives examples from daily life and the Mosaic Law—highlighting the legitimacy of material support for spiritual work, but chooses to make the gospel “free of charge”:

  “We endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the Gospel of Christ.” (1 Cor 9:12)

• Deep Motivation:

  “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Cor 9:16)

• His Approach to Evangelization:

  “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” (1 Cor 9:22)

  Fr. Mike’s insight:

  • “Remember, I could have [asked for compensation]... but I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing this to secure any provision. I’m trying to let you know that I care about you. I’m not going to make any demands on you that are excessive.” (26:11)
  • “Not only does St. Paul have rights, he has responsibilities… he says, though I’m free from all men, I’ve made myself a slave to everyone that I might win more of them…” (27:36)

3. The Spiritual Life as a Race (End of 1 Corinthians 9)

• Drawing athletic metaphors, Paul exhorts believers to run with determination:

  “Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.” (1 Cor 9:24) “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” (1 Cor 9:25) “I do not run aimlessly… I pummel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” (1 Cor 9:26-27)

  Fr. Mike reflects:

  • “If an Olympic athlete is striving more for a gold medal that no one is going to remember next month… harder than I am for heaven, who’s the fool here?” (30:17)
  • “Champions don’t practice moderation… they have a single-minded devotion… Yes, virtue lies in the middle, but that isn’t having moderate virtue, that’s having extreme amounts of virtue.” (31:00)
  • “Through fasting and prayer, relying upon God, through pummeling our body and subduing it—everything for your glory.” (32:13)

4. Warnings from Israel’s History and God’s Faithfulness (1 Corinthians 10)

• Paul draws lessons from Israel’s past failures and warns against idolatry, immorality, and testing God.

  “These things happened to them as a warning, but they were written down for our instruction…” (1 Cor 10:11) “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” (1 Cor 10:12)

  • Most memorable reassurance:

    “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Cor 10:13)

• Against Idolatry:
  “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons… Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy?” (1 Cor 10:21-22)

  Fr. Mike’s reflection:

  • “There is no temptation… that is not common to everyone. God is faithful and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength… He will also provide the way of escape.” (24:15)
  • “You might say, well, no, in my case… but the truth is every single one of us must endure many sufferings, must go through many tribulations in order to be saved. It’s just how it goes.” (23:42)

5. Living for the Glory of God (End of 1 Corinthians 10)

• Paul gives practical guidance on food, conscience, and living with concern for others:

  “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor 10:31) “Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.” (1 Cor 10:24)

  Fr. Mike summarizes:

  • “If someone striving after Olympic gold medal is working harder… than I am for heaven, then something is off… Please help us, Lord, to strive after you.” (33:10)

6. Proverbs 28:7-9 – Wisdom and Obedience

• Key themes:

  • Keeping the law brings wisdom; associating with gluttons brings shame.
  • Wealth amassed by interest ends up with the kind.
  • “If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.”

  Fr. Mike’s prayer:

  • “Help us to not turn away from your law… Open our ears so we can hear your word… Help us to love well.” (18:41)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Fickle Praise and Suffering:

  “The same people who will say, we want to worship you today will literally kill you tomorrow. That’s what they did to Jesus… This is what we can expect as Christians.”
  – Fr. Mike (20:33)

• On Enduring Temptation:

  “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength… will also provide the way of escape…”
  – Paul, 1 Cor 10:13 / Fr. Mike’s highlight (24:18)

• On Spiritual Effort:

  “If an Olympic athlete is striving more for a gold medal… harder than I am for heaven, who’s the fool here?”
  – Fr. Mike (30:17)

• On Single-mindedness:

  “Champions don’t practice moderation… they have a single-minded devotion.”
  – Fr. Mike (31:01)

• On Life’s Purpose:

  “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
  – Paul, 1 Cor 10:31 / Fr. Mike (33:14)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Acts 14 Reading: 01:00 – 07:25
• 1 Corinthians 9 & 10 Reading: 07:45 – 14:45
• Proverbs 28:7-9 Reading: 14:50 – 15:40
• Opening Prayer: 15:45 – 17:30
• Commentary on Acts & Suffering: 17:32 – 22:30
• Commentary on Endurance & Temptation: 22:32 – 25:30
• Commentary on Apostolic Rights & Discipline: 25:45 – 33:00
• Closing Prayer & Encouragement: 33:01 – End

Final Reflection

Fr. Mike urges listeners to recognize the reality of suffering as part of discipleship, to run the race of faith with true commitment and discipline, and to trust in God’s faithfulness amidst temptation. He encourages striving for heaven with Olympic-like determination—not merely to avoid separation from God, but motivated by a longing to be with God forever.

“Help us to strive after you, Lord—not out of fear, but out of love.” (32:45)

Fr. Mike closes with a prayer for the listeners and a request for their prayers in return.

For those who haven’t listened:
This episode weaves together inspiring stories of faith, hard-won wisdom for perseverance, and a practical spiritual challenge: to run your own race for eternity, empowered by God’s love and faithfulness.