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

Episode: Day 365 – The Beginning and the End (2025)
Date: December 31, 2025

Episode Overview

Father Mike Schmitz concludes the year-long journey through the Bible with an exploration of the ultimate hope and fulfillment depicted in the final chapters of Revelation and Hebrews. This emotional and spiritually rich episode highlights themes of restoration, perseverance, faith, and community, as listeners complete the story of salvation and reflect on what it truly means to live life through the lens of scripture. Father Mike offers heartfelt gratitude, encouragement for continued faith, and a reminder that this ending is also a new beginning.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Scripture Readings and Their Significance (03:55 – 40:00)

• Revelation 21–22:
  • Depicts a "new heaven and a new earth," the New Jerusalem, and God dwelling with humanity.
  • Emphasizes the end of suffering: “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more” (07:32, quoting Rev 21:4).
  • Jesus proclaimed as “the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end” (08:10).
  • Invitation to drink freely from “the water of life,” symbolizing God’s grace and salvation (09:10).
• Hebrews 11–13:
  • Celebrates the heroes of faith (“the cloud of witnesses”) and calls for perseverance.
  • “Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith” (31:45, quoting Heb 12:1).
  • Affirms Jesus’ eternal constancy: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (39:10, Heb 13:8).
  • Encourages love, hospitality, contentment, and imitation of faith.
• Proverbs 31:30–31:
  • Honors “a woman who fears the Lord,” underlining the value of faithfulness and integrity.

2. Reflection on Suffering, Loss, and Hope (40:05 – 46:35)

• Father Mike acknowledges the pain, loss, and grief listeners may have faced this year, relating it to the biblical promise of restoration and consolation.
  • “He will never abandon you in the midst of suffering. It was in the midst of loss that he kept speaking to you because death is not the end. That loss is not the end. And truly, truly this is not the end.” (42:45)
• The enduring presence of God and the promise of eternal communion:
  • “God truly has not abandoned you, has not forsaken you. He has been speaking with you through this entire year.” (43:15)

3. The Community and “Cloud of Witnesses” (46:36 – 49:55)

• Emphasizes the spiritual and practical support of the global Bible in a Year community and the saints:
  • “We are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, not only those in heaven, but also our brothers and sisters here on earth, especially this last year.” (47:20)
• Expresses gratitude and the reality of not walking alone:
  • “You haven’t done it alone. There have been hundreds and hundreds of thousands of people running with you. This community has been racing with you, running alongside of you, and you haven’t been alone.” (47:00)

4. Perseverance in Faith and Looking to Jesus (49:56 – 52:05)

• The importance of steadfastness through hardships and temptations:
  • “Let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us. Looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” (50:15)
• Drawing strength from Christ’s example:
  • “Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted…” (51:10)
• Encourages listeners to “keep on going, because grace is with you.” (51:48)

5. Gratitude, Practical Next Steps & Resources (52:06 – 53:45)

• Announces that certificates are available for those completing the podcast via Ascension Press (52:10).
• Recommends ongoing Bible study resources (e.g., Jeff Cavins’ studies on Hebrews and Revelation) for those seeking to deepen scriptural understanding.

6. Father Mike’s Personal Farewell (53:46 – End)

• Emotional struggle with “goodbyes”:
  • “I don’t have the words that could honor what God has done in my life over this last year. And being able to walk with you. I don’t have the words that can capture that.” (54:25)
• Overwhelming gratitude for listeners’ prayers and presence.
• Concludes with heartfelt request:
  • “So maybe I’ll just say, praying for you. And please pray for me. My name is Father Mike. I cannot wait to see you tomorrow. God bless.” (55:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more… For the former things have passed away.” (Fr. Mike reading Rev 21:4, 07:32)
• “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.” (Fr. Mike reading Rev 21:6, 08:10)
• “God loves you already. He will never ever stop loving you. His plan for you is…” (Fr. Mike, 41:47)
• “It was in the midst of loss that he kept speaking to you because death is not the end. That loss is not the end. And truly, truly, this is not the end.” (Fr. Mike, 42:45)
• “We are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, not only those in heaven, but also our brothers and sisters here on earth, especially this last year.” (Fr. Mike, 47:20)
• “Looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith… so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” (Fr. Mike reading and reflecting, 50:15)
• “You haven’t been on this journey alone. Every single day, there have been brothers and sisters in the Lord… praying for you and running next to you.” (Fr. Mike, 47:10)
• “I’m really bad at goodbyes… it’s because I care so much, and I can’t put it into words. This last year, you and God’s word have meant everything.” (Fr. Mike, 54:15)

Timeline of Important Segments

• [03:55] – [40:00]: Full Bible readings (Revelation, Hebrews, Proverbs)
• [40:05] – [46:35]: Reflection on the promise of restoration and God’s intimate presence
• [46:36] – [49:55]: Community and “cloud of witnesses”
• [49:56] – [52:05]: Perseverance and focusing on Jesus
• [52:06] – [53:45]: Announcements, next steps, study recommendations
• [53:46] – [End]: Emotional farewell and gratitude

Final Reflections

Fr. Mike brings the Bible in a Year journey to a stirring close by weaving together biblical hope, community, and personal testimony. The episode serves as both celebration and send-off—a reminder that every ending in the life of faith is also a beginning, and that God’s love and presence persist beyond any single year or project. He leaves listeners with a powerful invitation to keep running the race, keep looking to Jesus, and stay rooted in community—because, as he says, “This is not the end.”

Praying for you, and please pray for Fr. Mike.