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

Episode: Day 339: Priscilla and Aquila (2025)
Date: December 5, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz

Overview of the Episode

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz leads listeners through Acts 18, 1 Corinthians 16, and Proverbs 28:19-21. The focus is on the story of Priscilla and Aquila, their impact on the early Church, as well as Paul’s continued missionary efforts, the character of Apollos, and themes of spiritual courage, docility, and charity. Fr. Mike weaves together the readings to highlight how encounters with Christ redirect lives, the importance of openness to correction, and how community support and courage are essential to a life of faith.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Reflections on Proverbs 28:19-21

• Insight into Human Weakness:
  • Fr. Mike starts by emphasizing Proverbs 28:21: “To show partiality is not good, but for a piece of bread, a man will do wrong.”
  • He draws a parallel to the story of Jacob and Esau (Genesis), underscoring how easily people can become fickle or be tempted by minor rewards.
  • Personal Reflection (07:26):

    “Maybe your price is higher. Maybe my price is higher than a piece of bread. But we recognize man. Lord, I can be too fickle… So please help me to be resolute, right? Help me to let you be my north star.”

2. Acts 18: The Story of Priscilla, Aquila, and Paul in Corinth

• Providence Through Exile:
  • Priscilla and Aquila end up in Corinth due to Claudius expelling Jews from Rome; Paul meets them as fellow tentmakers.
  • God Draws Straight with Crooked Lines (08:25):

    “God uses these crooked lines to make a straight story... Priscilla and Aquila, who are in Corinth because of persecution, and they encounter Paul, who brings them to Jesus and sets them on a new course.”

• Transformation Through Encounter:
  • Fr. Mike quotes Pope Benedict, emphasizing that Christianity is rooted in an encounter with Christ, not just in moral or ethical choices.
  • Priscilla and Aquila’s encounter with Paul leads them to become missionaries themselves.

3. Paul and the Early Christian Network

• Personal Connections in Ministry:
  • Timothy and Silas are introduced to the Corinthians, and their presence is highlighted in both Acts and Paul’s letters.
  • Timothy’s youth is noted, and Paul’s encouragement to the Corinthians not to “despise” him echoes later advice Paul gives directly to Timothy.

    “Let no one despise him.” (10:17)
    “Let no one despise you because of your youth.” (10:33)

4. Apollos: Docility and Openness to Correction

• The Gifted Convert:
  • Apollos is described as eloquent and knowledgeable, speaking well of Jesus but needing more accurate understanding.
  • Priscilla and Aquila teach him “the way of God more accurately.”
  • Fr. Mike explores the virtue of docility, emphasizing the importance of being teachable, especially for the gifted.

    “Docility means I’m open to being taught... if a person is talented, gifted, skilled and open to being corrected... there’s no limit, really.” (12:44)

  • Apollos exemplifies the blend of talent and humility: being open to learning enhances God’s ability to work through us.

5. Paul’s Attitude Toward Division and Cooperation

• Handling Factions in the Church:
  • Paul is not threatened by believers drawn to Apollos; he explicitly urges Apollos to visit the Corinthians even as factions arise.

    “If Paul was threatened by the factions, he would say, ‘Yeah, Apollos, you stay away.’ Instead, he says, ‘No, at the very end of this letter, I urged, I strongly urged him to visit you...’” (14:13)

6. Jesus's Message to Paul and Its Echo in Paul's Letters

• Encouragement and Courage:
  • Jesus tells Paul in a vision:

    “Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no man shall attack you to harm you, for I have many people in this city.” (Acts 18)

  • Paul echoes this courage to the Corinthians:

    “Be watchful. Stand firm in your faith. Be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” (1 Cor 16, 16:26)

  • Fr. Mike relates this directly to all listeners: God’s words of encouragement and love are meant for us, too.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Human Weakness (Proverbs Reflection, 07:26):

  “Lord, I can be too fickle... Help me to let you be my north star.”

• On Priscilla and Aquila’s Encounter with Paul (08:25):

  “God uses these crooked lines to make a straight story... and that encounter of Jesus through Paul radically transforms their lives.”

• On Docility (12:44):

  “Docility means I’m open to being taught. Here is Apollos, who was incredibly gifted... and then he gets corrected. And what happens? He lets himself be taught.”

• On Church Unity and Cooperation (14:13):

  “It’d be one thing if Paul was threatened by this division... Instead, he says... I strongly urged [Apollos] to visit you.”

• Jesus’s Words to Paul in Acts and Echoed by Paul in Corinthians (16:22):

  “Do not be afraid. Walk in courage, walk in faith. Let everything you do be done in love.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:56] – Acts 18: Paul meets Priscilla and Aquila in Corinth; Apollos is taught the fullness of the faith
• [04:11] – 1 Corinthians 16: Paul gives travel plans, instructions for the church, and closing greetings, highlighting hospitality and unity
• [06:30] – Proverbs 28:19–21: Reflection on honesty, blessings, and human susceptibility to corruption
• [06:56] – Opening Prayer and Launch into Reflections
• [07:26] – Parallel to Jacob and Esau; reflection on personal integrity
• [08:25] – Priscilla and Aquila's story and transformation through encounter
• [10:17] – Paul’s advice about Timothy and Church leadership
• [12:44] – The importance of docility (using Apollos as a model)
• [14:13] – Paul’s approach to factions and his support for Apollos
• [16:22] – Jesus’s message to Paul in Acts, and Paul’s message to the Corinthians

Tone & Style of the Episode

• Warm, encouraging, and pastoral.
• Deeply scriptural but highly accessible, consistently connecting biblical events to personal and communal growth.
• Honest about human flaws, but always turning toward hope and transformation through Christ.

Summary

Day 339 is a deeply interconnected episode, weaving together stories of mission, mentorship, humility, and courage. Priscilla and Aquila’s meeting with Paul shows how suffering and exile can become instruments for God’s greater purpose. The integration of Apollos reveals that no matter how gifted, all of us need to be open to correction. Paul’s concluding words remind all believers to stand firm, be courageous, and let everything be done in love. Fr. Mike’s reflections call listeners not only to admire these scriptural figures but to imitate their faith, humility, and readiness to serve.

Memorable Takeaway:
"Do not be afraid. Walk in courage, walk in faith. Let everything you do be done in love." (16:22)