Summary of Episode: Day 349 – Holy Indifference (2024) The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Introduction and Overview
In the 349th episode of The Bible in a Year podcast, hosted by Fr. Mike Schmitz and produced by Ascension, listeners embark on the final stretch of the Bible reading journey. This episode delves into the concluding chapter of the Book of Acts, the first two chapters of St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians, and selected verses from Proverbs (29:25, 27). Fr. Mike provides insightful commentary, reflections, and guided prayers, drawing connections between the scriptures and contemporary Christian life.
Scriptural Readings
1. Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 28
Fr. Mike opens with Acts 28, the culmination of Luke’s account of Paul’s missionary journeys. The narrative recounts Paul’s shipwreck on Malta, his miraculous survival after being bitten by a viper, and his time in Rome under house arrest. Key events include:
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Paul's Survival on Malta: Despite facing a lethal viper bite, Paul remains unharmed, leading the Maltese natives to reconsider their perception of him (00:04).
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Healing Miracles: Paul heals Publius’s father and others on the island, further establishing his divine mission (00:04).
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Journey to Rome: Paul's voyage continues as he travels to Rome, where he remains under guarded house arrest but continues to preach the Gospel (00:04).
2. Philippians, Chapters 1 and 2
Transitioning to Philippians 1 and 2, Fr. Mike highlights Paul’s unwavering joy and steadfast commitment to the Gospel despite his imprisonment.
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Paul's Affirmation of the Gospel's Advancement: Paul expresses gratitude for the Philippians' partnership in spreading the Gospel, affirming that his imprisonment has only served to advance the message of Christ (00:04).
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Prayer for the Philippians: Paul’s heartfelt prayer emphasizes his desire for the believers to grow in love, knowledge, and discernment, aiming for purity and blamelessness in their faith journey (00:04).
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Humility and Unity: In Philippians 2, Paul encourages believers to embody humility and unity, reflecting Christ's own humility and sacrifice (00:04).
3. Proverbs 29:25, 27
The episode concludes with selected verses from Proverbs, emphasizing trust in the Lord over fear of man and the pursuit of justice (00:04).
Reflections and Insights
A. Paul's Character and Servanthood
Fr. Mike underscores Paul’s exemplary character, highlighting his active participation and servant leadership even in dire circumstances. Paul’s actions on Malta—gathering sticks and building fires—demonstrate his commitment to serving others without seeking recognition (00:04). This serves as a model for Christians to engage in everyday acts of service with humility.
Notable Quote:
“Being a Christian isn't always heroic moments, right? Being a Christian is having the attitude of a servant.” – Fr. Mike Schmitz (25:30)
B. Concept of Holy Indifference (Apatheia)
A central theme of the episode is the concept of holy indifference or apatheia. Fr. Mike explains this as a virtue of being indifferent to whatever God wills—whether it’s life or death, wealth or poverty, joy or sorrow—trusting entirely in God’s plan.
Notable Quote:
“This holy indifference, this holy apatheia is what Paul demonstrates here... saying, God, whatever it is that you want, that's what I want.” – Fr. Mike Schmitz (45:10)
C. Imitating Christ's Humility
In Philippians 2, Paul’s call to imitate Christ’s humility resonates deeply. Fr. Mike emphasizes the importance of humbling oneself, valuing others above oneself, and living in unity—all reflections of Christ’s own humility and obedience unto death.
Notable Quote:
“Have this mind among yourselves which was in Christ Jesus... he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.” – Fr. Mike Schmitz (60:15)
D. The Continuation of the Church Beyond Acts
Fr. Mike addresses the notion that Acts 28 is not the end of the Gospel but a stepping stone to "Acts 29," symbolizing the ongoing mission of the Church. He draws parallels between Paul’s baton-handing to the next generation and the current generation’s responsibility to continue spreading the Gospel.
Notable Quote:
“The church continues on and we have, we live in the age of Acts, chapter 29.” – Fr. Mike Schmitz (80:25)
Notable Quotes
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On Servanthood:
“Being a Christian isn't always heroic moments, right? Being a Christian is having the attitude of a servant.” – Fr. Mike Schmitz (25:30)
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On Holy Indifference:
“This holy indifference, this holy apatheia is what Paul demonstrates here... saying, God, whatever it is that you want, that's what I want.” – Fr. Mike Schmitz (45:10)
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On Imitating Christ:
“Have this mind among yourselves which was in Christ Jesus... he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.” – Fr. Mike Schmitz (60:15)
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On Continuation of the Gospel:
“The church continues on and we have, we live in the age of Acts, chapter 29.” – Fr. Mike Schmitz (80:25)
Prayer
Fr. Mike concludes the episode with a heartfelt prayer, thanking God for the 349 days of spiritual nourishment and asking for the grace to emulate the virtues of St. Paul, St. Peter, Epaphroditus, Timothy, and the Philippian Christians. The prayer emphasizes humility, service, and the desire to glorify God in all aspects of life.
Highlighted Prayer Excerpt:
“Help us to be like you, Lord God. Help us to be imitators of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who emptied himself humbly... Help us to be like him.” – Fr. Mike Schmitz (90:00)
Conclusion
In this culminating episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz masterfully weaves together scriptural passages with profound reflections on humility, service, and unwavering faith. By examining Paul’s steadfastness and the principles outlined in Philippians, listeners are encouraged to adopt a heart of holy indifference, prioritizing God’s will above personal desires. The episode serves as both a reflection on the journey completed and an inspiration for the continuous mission of living out the Gospel in everyday life.
Listeners are left with a sense of completion yet anticipation for the forthcoming steps in their spiritual journey, embodying the lessons learned and preparing to carry the baton forward in their communities.
For more insights and to continue your Bible reading journey, subscribe to The Bible in a Year podcast on your preferred platform and visit Ascension Press.