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

Episode: Day 352: Purified by Fire
Date: December 18, 2025
Main Theme:
This episode focuses on the meaning of Christian suffering and endurance, as illuminated by readings from the first letter of St. Peter (chapters 1–2), the conclusion of Colossians (chapters 3–4), and Proverbs 30:10–14. Fr. Mike Schmitz explores how God purifies believers through trials and calls them to holy living, mutual obligations within the Christian community, and steadfastness in prayer.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Context and Audience of St. Peter’s Letter

• St. Peter writes to “the exiles of the dispersion”—early Christians scattered by persecution (06:40).
• The message, however, is meaningful to all Christians experiencing difficulty or feeling alienated.

2. Core Message: Rejoicing Amidst Suffering

• Peter’s encouragement: Despite trials, Christians have received “an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven.” (07:10)
• Fr. Mike:
  “This is what the Lord God has done for you, even in the midst of pain, even in the midst of suffering.” (08:05)

Notable Quote

• “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold...is tested by fire.” (1 Peter 1:6–7, read at 08:33)

3. Purification Through Trials

• Fr. Mike reflects that God allows difficulties not as abandonment, but to “do something in you that he could not do without this trial” (09:00).
• The experience of “dry prayer” is highlighted as a spiritually fruitful time:
  “Desolation in prayer can be used by the Lord God, maybe even more powerfully than consolation in prayer.” (12:50)
• God purifies our love for Him, helping us learn to love the Giver more than the gifts.

Notable Quote

• “What God is doing there is he is purifying our love for him...so that we can have the kind of hearts that love him for his own sake.” (13:25)

4. Call to Holiness and Identity in Christ

• Christians are called to a radically different life: “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance...be holy yourselves in all your conduct.” (1 Peter 1:14–15, read at 15:00)
• A powerful identity statement:
  “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people...Once you were no people, but now you are God’s people.” (1 Peter 2:9–10, read and reflected on around 16:00)

Memorable Insight

• Fr. Mike emphasizes unity in Christ:
  “Our most important identity...is that we are God’s children...all those are unified in the Lord Jesus...not as important as being an adopted son or daughter of God.” (17:40)

5. Mutual Obligations in Christian Living (Peter and Paul)

• Both Peter and Paul stress that Christians “have an obligation to each other” (20:20).
• Specific roles and relationships are addressed:
  • Wives and husbands
  • Children and parents (“Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.” Col 3:21, 21:15)
  • Authority relationships (masters and slaves), emphasizing dignity and mutual concern.

Notable Quote

• “If we have no peace, it’s because we’ve forgotten that we belong to each other.” (alluding to Mother Teresa, 22:14)

6. Practical Exhortation: Steadfast Prayer

• Paul’s instruction: “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” (Colossians 4:2, discussed at 23:10)
• Fr. Mike encourages listeners to make prayer habitual and mutual:
  “I am praying for you. Please, please pray for me.” (24:16)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Suffering:
  “God is doing something in you that he could not do without this trial.” (09:00)
• On Spiritual Dryness:
  “Sometimes when we show up for prayer, that’s all it is. It’s just dry prayer. God is doing something in that, maybe more than any other time.” (12:45)
• On Christian Identity:
  “Once you were no people, but now you are God’s people. Once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1 Peter 2:10, 16:10)
• On Community:
  “You belong to each other.” (21:58)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 06:40 – Background context on St. Peter's letter and its audience
• 08:05 – God’s gifts and “inheritance” despite persecution
• 09:00 – The role of suffering in spiritual growth
• 12:45 – The value of “dry prayer” and desolation
• 15:00 – The call to holy living and difference in identity
• 16:00 – We are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood...”
• 20:20 – Mutual obligations in Christian community
• 23:10 – Paul’s exhortation to steadfast, thankful prayer
• 24:16 – Closing encouragement: praying for each other

Summary Flow & Tone

Fr. Mike’s warm and accessible tone encourages listeners to see suffering and perseverance not as setbacks, but as opportunities for God to purify and deepen their faith. Key scriptural passages are unpacked with pastoral wisdom, offering practical and relatable advice for living out Christian identity as a “chosen people” bound in mutual love, obligations, and prayer.

The episode ends with Fr. Mike affirming ongoing prayer for listeners and a gentle reminder to pray for him as well, bringing the message full-circle: the Christian life is a journey of endurance, mutual belonging, and steadfast faith—purified by fire, and oriented to an imperishable inheritance.