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

Episode: Day 355: The Things of This World (2025)
Date: December 21, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Readings: 1 John 1–3; 2 Thessalonians 1–3; Proverbs 30:20–23

Episode Overview

On Day 355, Fr. Mike explores the powerful theme of detachment from the world and attachment to God’s love, based on the readings from 1 John, 2 Thessalonians, and Proverbs. He highlights how St. John’s and St. Paul’s letters challenge believers to authentic love for one another, warn against worldliness, and urge perseverance in faith and daily work—even as all wait for Christ’s return.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Living as Children of God

Readings: 1 John 1–3

• John's Message of Love:
  • John's letters are “encyclicals… letters of love” ([20:40]). The center is not only Jesus’ triumph, but that “everyone who belongs to Jesus must love one another as he has loved us.”
• Loving God Means Loving Others:
  • A direct, challenging statement:

    “If we do not love our brothers, then we don't truly love God.… How can you say, how can I say I love the God who's invisible and yet not love the brother or the neighbor who is visible?” ([21:05])

• Warning About the World and Its Allure:
  • John’s strong teaching:

    “Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15 / [21:40])

  • Fr. Mike reflects on the tension:

    “The world and our Lord are at enmity with each other. The world wars against the Lord. And so we just have to realize that…” ([21:52])

  • He acknowledges how many, even after a year of reading, may feel:

    “…the world has my heart more than you do in so many ways.” ([22:25])

• The Pattern of Temptation:
  • Connects “lust of the flesh… eyes… pride of life” in John to Genesis 3 (Eve’s temptation) and to Jesus' temptation in the desert ([22:40–23:40]):
    • Eve sees the fruit is “good for food, pleasing to the eye, desirable for gaining wisdom.”
    • Jesus resists similar temptations in the wilderness, succeeding where Adam and Eve fall.
• God's Gift of Sonship:
  • Fr. Mike marvels:

    “See what love the Father has given us. That we should be called children of God, and so we are.” (1 John 3:1, [24:13])

  • Stresses the transformation:

    “…going from a marionette to a real boy, real girl, to be actual sons and daughters of the Father.” ([25:02])

2. Warnings and Exhortations in 2 Thessalonians

Readings: 2 Thessalonians 1–3

• End Times and False Teaching:
  • Paul warns “do not go running after people who are saying that, no, Jesus already came and you missed him. Do not… because what's going to happen is there is more tribulation to come. And Jesus, believe me, you will not miss him when he arrives.” ([25:34])
• Diligence, Idleness, and Community Life:
  • Paul emphasizes:

    “If anyone will not work, let him not eat.” ([27:03])

  • Fr. Mike explains the context—some believers had grown idle, thinking Christ’s return made labor pointless:

    “…I don't really have to work. I don't have to invest. I don't have to put any effort into anything because He's coming.” ([26:57])

  • But Paul says idleness is wrong and urges the Thessalonians not to associate with the idle in a disciplinary, but loving way:

    “Do not look on him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother, which is absolutely key…” ([28:14])

3. Practical Christian Love

Theme Running Through All Readings

• Love in Deed, Not Just in Word:
  • Fr. Mike’s prayer draws directly from John’s exhortation:

    “…help us to belong to you. Help us to love one another. Help us to place our faith into action. Help us not be lovers in speech or in word, but in deed and in truth. Help us to love the people… in our orbit…” ([18:21])

• Proof of Passing from Death to Life:
  • Echoing John:

    “We know that we have passed out of death into life because we love the brethren. He who does not love remains in death.” ([24:44])

  • Compassion for those in need:

    “If anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart… how does God's love abide in him?” ([24:52])

4. Proverbial Wisdom

Readings: Proverbs 30:20–23

• Proverbs highlights social realities that “the earth cannot bear,” reinforcing the episode’s central focus on virtue and consequences of living rightly—or not.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On True Fellowship:

  “That which we have seen and heard, we proclaim also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.” (1 John 1:3; [08:01])

• On Honesty About Sin:

  “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8; [08:52])

• On How to Love God:

  “He who says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” (1 John 2:6; [09:41])

• On the Battle with the World:

  “…I can't belong to the Lord and belong to the world at the same time.” ([22:34])

• On Work and Community:

  “We did not eat anyone's bread without paying, but with toil and labor we worked night and day that we might not burden any of you.… We gave you this rule: if anyone will not work, let him not eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:8–10; [27:16])

• On Correction in the Church:

  “If anyone refuses to obey what we say in this letter… have nothing to do with him… but warn him as a brother.” (2 Thessalonians 3:14–15; [28:10])

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Intro/Day’s Readings Announced: [02:41]
• Reading of 1 John 1–3: [03:01–16:13]
• Reading of 2 Thessalonians 1–3: [16:13–17:55]
• Reading of Proverbs 30:20–23: [17:55–18:12]
• Fr. Mike’s Opening Prayer and Reflection Begin: [18:13]
• On John’s Message of Love: [20:40–21:52]
• Do Not Love the World: [21:53–22:46]
• Eve’s Temptation and Jesus’ Victory: [22:46–23:43]
• Children of God and the Gift of Sonship: [24:13–25:02]
• 2 Thessalonians Summary: [25:34–28:14]
• Closing Plea for Prayers: [28:20]

Summary in Fr. Mike Schmitz’s Voice

• The entire episode resonates with Fr. Mike’s heartfelt sincerity and urgency. He challenges listeners to examine their attachment to “the things of this world” and renew their love for God and neighbor, as modeled by Christ.
• The readings and reflections powerfully connect the ancient struggles of the early Church to contemporary Christian life—highlighting that loving God means loving whom He has put in our path, and that living as God’s children changes everything about our priorities, actions, and hopes.

For Further Reflection:

• Do I love “the things of this world” more than Christ? Where do “lust of the flesh, eyes, and pride of life” show up in my decisions?
• How do I actively love neighbors, not just in word but in deed?
• In what tangible ways is God calling me to persevere, work diligently, and encourage others as brothers and sisters?

Fr. Mike’s closing encouragement:

“Please pray for me. And I am praying for you. My name is Father Mike. I cannot wait to see you tomorrow. God bless.” ([28:24])