Podcast Summary: The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Episode: Day 357: Truth and Love (2025)
Date: December 23, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Episode Overview
On Day 357, Fr. Mike Schmitz guides listeners through the brief, powerful letters of 2 John and 3 John, the conclusion of 1 Timothy (chapters 4-6), and a few verses from Proverbs 30. The overarching theme is the inseparable relationship between truth and love in Christian life and ministry, accompanied by reflections on authentic service, family responsibilities, and the fight for a godly life. The episode is a celebration of perseverance as listeners near the end of the Bible in a Year journey.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Truth and Love in 2 John & 3 John
- Focus: Christian love is not mere affection, but an effective, action-oriented love rooted in adherence to God's commandments.
- Effective vs. Affective Love:
- Fr. Mike differentiates between love as a feeling (affection) and love as action (effective love), aligning with Jesus’ message that "love is more than a feeling."
- Quote:
"Love that actually does something that's effective, right? Not just affection, which is a feeling... Love is felt, but it's more than a feeling."
(Fr. Mike, 13:10)
- Balance of Truth and Love:
- Emphasizes that both must coexist.
- Quote:
"Truth without love is just a sledgehammer. But love without truth is ineffectual... Neither of those actually does a lot of good."
(Fr. Mike, 14:00)
2. Practical Church Life in 1 Timothy 4–6
a. False Asceticism and Enjoyment of God's Gifts
- Early Christians in Ephesus were forbidding marriage and certain foods.
- Paul clarifies that marriage and created goods are good if received with thanksgiving.
- Quote:
"Marriage is good. Marriage is a gift from God. In the new covenant, you can eat all foods... Nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving."
(Fr. Mike, 15:05)
- Quote:
b. Support for Widows and Family Responsibility
- Paul outlines criteria for church support of widows: genuine need, noble life, and family obligation come first.
- Striking guidance that church charity should focus on those with real need; families must support their own.
- Quote:
"If you’re going to be a Christian and you’re not taking care of your own family, then you’re failing in religion. In fact, he says, you’re worse than an unbeliever."
(Fr. Mike, 17:10)
- Quote:
c. Community Conduct and Leadership
- Treat each group in the church (older men, women, young people) with familial respect.
- Elders and leaders should be above reproach; accusations must be substantiated.
- Leaders in the church deserve "double honor," especially those who work hard in teaching.
d. Wealth, Contentment, and the Love of Money
- Money itself is not evil, but the love of money is:
- Quote:
"Remember, money is not the root of all evil, but the love of money is the root of all evil."
(Fr. Mike, 20:20) - Warns against letting the pursuit of wealth eclipse spiritual life; calls for radical contentment with basics.
- Quote:
- Charge to the Rich:
- Don’t be arrogant or hope in uncertain riches; use wealth for generosity and good deeds.
e. Godliness as a Life-Long Training
- Bodily training (physical fitness) is valuable, but training in godliness is infinitely more important.
- Quote:
"For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."
(Fr. Mike, 19:30)
- Quote:
3. The Good Fight of Faith
- Fr. Mike highlights Paul’s challenge to Timothy (and, by extension, all believers) to "fight the good fight of faith."
- Directs listeners to persevere, emphasizing the prize of eternal life.
- Quote:
"Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called... So why not fight for it?"
(Fr. Mike, 22:00)
- As the year draws to a close, Fr. Mike encourages listeners to keep striving, reflecting on the shared journey.
4. Practical Proverbs
- Proverbs 30:29-33:
- Observations on dignity, restraint, and the perils of pride, gossip, and anger.
- Only a brief mention, but underscores the threads of self-control and humility woven throughout the readings.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Truth and Love
"Truth without love is just a sledgehammer. But love without truth is ineffectual... Neither of those actually does a lot of good. What we’re called to do is belong to the Lord and help in building up the people around us."
(Fr. Mike, 14:00) -
On Family Duty:
"If you’re going to be a Christian and you’re not taking care of your own family, then you’re failing in religion. In fact, he says, you’re worse than an unbeliever."
(Fr. Mike, 17:10) -
On Godliness vs. Physical Training:
"Bodily training is of some value. So Paul doesn’t denigrate it. But at the same time, godliness... is of value in every way."
(Fr. Mike, 19:30) -
Final Encouragement:
"Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called... You and I have been called to the eternal life. So why not fight for it? Truly, here we are on day 357. You’ve been fighting for 357 days. Let’s keep fighting."
(Fr. Mike, 22:00 & closing)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [04:15] - 2 John & 3 John Readings: Theme of truth and love
- [13:10] - Reflection on effective vs. affective love
- [14:00] - The necessity of holding truth and love together
- [15:05] - Context for Paul's instructions on marriage and foods (1 Timothy 4)
- [17:10] - On the priority of family responsibility over church charity
- [19:30] - Godliness as the highest form of training
- [20:20] - Money vs. love of money; warning against materialism
- [22:00] - Call to “fight the good fight of faith” and perseverance
Tone & Style
Fr. Mike’s approach is warm, pastoral, and practical—encouraging but direct, blending gentle humor with deep conviction. He relates scripture to contemporary Christian life and challenges listeners with practical applications and motivating exhortations.
Takeaway
This episode offers a stirring reminder: Truth and love must always be held together, translated into everyday action. It calls Christians not only to profess faith, but to live it—especially as life’s journey requires continual perseverance and virtuous struggle. As the podcast nears completion, Fr. Mike rallies listeners to "fight the good fight" and "take hold of eternal life," rooted in a love that both feels and acts according to God’s Word.