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

Episode: Day 354: Partakers of the Divine Nature (2025)
Date: December 20, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz leads listeners through the final chapters of 2 Peter, the conclusion of 1 Thessalonians, and a brief passage in Proverbs. The central theme explored is our sharing in the divine nature through Christ—what it truly means to be "partakers of the divine nature." Fr. Mike unpacks how baptism transforms us, clarifies Christian hope in the face of death, and exhorts the audience to discern true teaching and remain steadfast in faith.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Reading the Scriptures

• Scripture Covered:
  • 2 Peter 1-3
  • 1 Thessalonians 4-5
  • Proverbs 30:17-19

2. The Meaning of "Partakers of the Divine Nature"

(2 Peter 1:4, Commentary at 23:40)

• Fr. Mike highlights:
  • The profound transformation at baptism: we move from being merely God’s creations to becoming His true children by sharing in His divine nature.
  • Illustrative analogy: Pinocchio and Geppetto. Pinocchio must become a “real boy” to be Geppetto’s son, not just his creation. Likewise, after baptism, we become God’s true children, not just beloved creatures.
• Quote:
  • “Only when you’re baptized do you become a partaker in the divine nature—what you are changes so that God can truly look at you and say, 'This is my son. This is my daughter.' … And we can truly look at God the Father and say, 'He is our dad.'” (25:00)

3. Living as Temples of the Holy Spirit

(Inspired by 2 Peter and Paul's teaching)

• Fr. Mike reflects:
  • As baptized Christians, “we become temples of the Holy Spirit,” meaning we are not just housing God’s presence but are called to ongoing worship and transformation in our daily lives.
  • “If you have the Holy Spirit of God, then the Holy Spirit of God is united to you in a unique way, that you share in the divine nature.” (24:20)

4. God’s Timing and Patience

(2 Peter 3, Commentary at 26:20)

• On the apparent delay of Christ’s return:
  • “Do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord, one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. God’s not slow about his promises, but he is forbearing…he doesn’t wish that anyone should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (26:40)
  • God delays not out of slowness but to allow more people to turn to him.

5. Christian Hope in the Face of Death

(1 Thessalonians 4, Commentary at 28:00)

• Addressing Thessalonian anxieties about the dead:
  • Early Christians worried that those who had died before Christ's return would miss out on salvation.
  • “We do grieve as Christians. We grieve, but we don’t grieve as those who have no hope…Death is this place of transition. It’s this passage into eternal life for those who are to be saved.” (28:40)
• Core quote:
  • “We don’t grieve like the rest…those who have passed on in Christ, we will meet them again. That is the hope we have.” (29:30)

6. Church Community: Living in Encouragement and Holiness

(1 Thessalonians 5)

• Final advice from St. Paul:
  • "Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (30:30)
  • On discernment:
    • “Do not quench the Spirit, do not despise prophesying, but test everything. Hold fast to what is good.” (31:00)
    • There is a need to test prophetic words and to hold fast to what is good, not being misled because "too many people can be too easily misled."

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On the transformation in Christ:
  • “It’s just, again, bonkers to realize this.” (25:15)
• On the timing of God’s return:
  • “God is giving us more time so more people can repent.”
• On grief and hope:
  • “We grieve, but we don’t grieve as those who have no hope.” (28:40)
• On discernment:
  • “Let’s test it. That’s so important for us to do because too many people can be too easily misled.” (31:10)
• On the journey:
  • “What a gift it’s been to be part of this community. And what a gift it is to be able to pray for you. I am praying for you. Please pray for me.” (32:30)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:04] – Episode opening, readings announced
• [23:40] – Commentary: "Partakers of the Divine Nature"
• [24:20] – On being temples of the Holy Spirit
• [25:00] – Pinocchio analogy and meaning of baptism
• [26:20] – On God's promise and the delay
• [28:00] – Christian hope in the face of death
• [28:40] – “We do grieve, but we don’t grieve as those who have no hope”
• [29:30] – Assurance about resurrection and meeting those who've died in Christ
• [30:30] – St. Paul’s closing advice: “Rejoice always, pray constantly…”
• [31:00] – Discernment: “Test everything, hold fast to what is good”
• [32:30] – Closing words from Fr. Mike

Final Reflections

This episode stands out for its clear, passionate explanation of deep Christian doctrines—especially the transformative power of baptism and the hope of resurrection. Fr. Mike weaves scriptural insight with relatable analogies, culminating in practical and hopeful exhortations. Listeners are left encouraged to live as true children of God, discerning in faith, and holding tightly to Christian hope.

Fr. Mike closes:
“What a gift it’s been to be part of this community. And what a gift it is to be able to pray for you. I am praying for you. Please pray for me.” (32:30)

For tomorrow: 1 John, 2 Thessalonians, and continued preparations to complete the Bible in a year.