The Bible in a Year with Fr. Mike Schmitz

Episode: Day 346—Fruits of the Spirit
Date: December 12, 2025
Scripture Readings: Acts 25; Galatians 4-6 (conclusion); Proverbs 29:15,17

Overview

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz leads listeners through some of the final chapters of Acts and the powerful conclusion of Paul’s letter to the Galatians. The central focus is on Paul’s teachings about freedom in Christ—the stark contrast between the “works of the flesh” and the “fruit of the Spirit.” Fr. Mike unpacks both the historical context and the enduring relevance of these passages, urging Christians to examine their lives for evidence of the Spirit’s work and to persist in doing good.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Acts 25: Paul Appeals to Caesar

• Summary:
  Paul is once again on trial against baseless accusations from the Jewish leaders. Festus, newly arrived, consults with King Agrippa about Paul’s case, ultimately granting Paul’s appeal to be tried in Rome before Caesar.
• Main Reflections:
  • Paul stands firm, leveraging his rights as a Roman citizen.
  • The political complexity around Paul’s fate illustrates the obstacles early Christians faced.
  • Tomorrow’s episode promises Paul’s testimony before Agrippa and Bernice.

2. Galatians 4-6: Conclusion of St. Paul’s Letter

• Context Reminder:
  Judaizers are insisting gentile Christians must follow Jewish law (e.g., circumcision) for full inclusion in God’s covenant.
• Notable Insight:
  • “And here’s Paul, and he is ticked off. St. Paul, he is upset.” [13:24]

a. Former Slavery vs. Adoption as God’s Children (Gal 4)

• Paul’s Metaphor:
  • Christians are heirs, not slaves—adopted sons and daughters through Christ, calling God “Abba, Father.”
  • Quote:

    “So through God, you are no longer a slave, but a son. And if a son, then an heir.” [13:51]

  • Fr. Mike’s elaboration:

    “Before Jesus, those under the law were unable to keep the law ... But now you’ve been made into God’s sons and daughters. Why would you want to go back?” [14:14]

• Call Against Regression:
  • Paul urges not to return to “weak and beggarly elemental spirits”—to resist returning to sin or former idolatrous ways.

b. The Allegory of Hagar and Sarah

• Explanation:
  • Paul likens two covenants:
    • Hagar (slave) = old covenant, slavery under the law
    • Sarah (free) = new covenant, freedom in Christ
  • Big Idea:
    Christians are “children of the free woman”—called to freedom, not slavery.

c. The Heart of Christian Freedom (Gal 5)

• Key Verse & Emphasis:
  • Quote:

    “For freedom, Christ has set us free. Stand fast, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” [15:56]

  • Fr. Mike identifies this as an “all-time favorite verse.”

    “For freedom, Christ has set us free... Stand fast... Do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” [16:05]

• Warning:
  • Legalism (like forced circumcision) negates Christ’s work.
  • Quote:

    “If you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you... You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.” (Paraphrased) [17:02]

d. The Works of the Flesh vs. the Fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5)

• Works of the Flesh:
  • Immorality, impurity, idolatry, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, envy, drunkenness, etc.
  • Quote:

    “All of those things are things that separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Every single one of them take away our heart. They’re the works of the flesh that destroy us, that keep us slaves.” [18:58]

• Fruit of the Spirit:
  • Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
  • Fr. Mike explains:

    “The fruit of the Spirit—these are the fruit of a life lived in God... a byproduct... If you’re living in the Spirit, here’s what’s going to happen.” [19:23] “If I have them in my life, that’s a good sign you are walking in the Spirit. If not, you might not be.” [19:49]

e. Sowing and Reaping (Gal 6)

• Law of the Harvest:
  • Quote (St. Paul):

    “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” [20:07]

  • Fr. Mike’s take:

    “If you plant corn, you’re going to get corn... What is it you want to get? I want to get love and peace and patience and kindness...” [20:23]

  • Encouragement not to “grow weary in well-doing,” for “in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” [20:46]
• Boasting in the Cross:
  • Quote:

    “Far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Gal 6:14) [21:30]

• Suffering for Christ / Stigmata:
  • Paul says, “I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.” Fr. Mike notes some have wondered whether Paul bore the stigmata like later saints. [21:53]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Spiritual Inheritance and Sonship:

  “Through God, you are no longer a slave, but a son. And if a son, then an heir.” [13:51] (Fr. Mike, quoting Paul)

• On Temptation to Old Ways:

  “For how many of us… we’re tempted to go back to our former bosses, those little lords, those idols that take and take and take and never give anything back.” [14:40] (Fr. Mike)

• On the Evidence of Christian Life:

  “If you’re an orange tree, you’re not really working to grow oranges, you just grow oranges… So, if you’re living in the Spirit, here’s what’s going to happen. These are the fruits.” [19:25] (Fr. Mike)

• On Suffering and Continuing in Goodness:

  “Let us not grow weary in well-doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart.” [20:46] (Fr. Mike, quoting Paul)

• On Final Encouragement:

  “Even if we find ourselves full of the fruits of licentiousness and the works of the flesh—begin planting the works of the Spirit… and by God’s grace, we’ll be given those fruits of the Spirit.” [22:16] (Fr. Mike)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Paul’s defense before Festus and Agrippa (Acts 25): 02:00–06:00
• Galatians: Heirs, not slaves; call to freedom (Gal 4): 06:20–14:40
• “Stand firm in your freedom” & Fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5): 15:00–19:50
• Sowing/Reaping, encouragement to persevere (Gal 6): 20:00–21:30
• Discussion on suffering and marks of Christ (“stigmata”): 21:50–22:16

Reflection and Prayer

Fr. Mike closes with prayer, gratitude for Paul’s witness and perseverance, and an appeal for listeners to trust in God and seek the fruit of the Spirit in their lives—even amid affliction.

• “Abba, Father, Dad in heaven, give us joy in the midst of affliction... Help us to trust in you more than anything else.” [11:26]

Takeaway

Fr. Mike Schmitz urges listeners to:

• Embrace Christian freedom, not legalism or former slavery
• Seek and recognize the “fruit of the Spirit” in their lives
• Persevere in doing good, without losing heart
• Trust God in suffering and seek His transforming love daily

Final Words:
“Even if we find ourselves full of fruits of the works of the flesh, begin planting the works of the Spirit… I’m praying for you. Please, please pray for me.” [22:16]

God bless!