Podcast Summary: The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) – Day 37: The Mystical Works of God

Episode Overview

In Day 37 of The Bible in a Year podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz delves into the profound and mystical works of God as depicted in the Scriptures. This episode focuses on readings from Exodus chapters 17 and 18, Leviticus chapter 12, and Psalm 73. Fr. Mike offers insightful commentary, reflections, and guided prayers, helping listeners navigate the complexities of these biblical passages and understand their relevance to contemporary faith experiences.

Biblical Readings and Key Narratives

1. Exodus 17-18: Trials and Leadership

   • Exodus 17 recounts the Israelites' struggles in the wilderness, highlighting their complaints about the lack of water at Rephidim. Despite their grievances, God provides water by instructing Moses to strike a rock, demonstrating divine provision and care (Exodus 17:1-7).

   • The chapter also narrates the battle against the Amalekites. Moses, with the help of Joshua, Aaron, and Hur, leads Israel to victory. Fr. Mike emphasizes the importance of Moses’ intercession and the symbolic significance of his uplifted hands (Exodus 17:8-16).

   • Exodus 18 introduces Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, who observes Moses' overwhelming responsibilities in judging the people. Jethro advises Moses to delegate authority by appointing capable leaders, thereby preventing burnout and ensuring effective governance (Exodus 18:13-27).

2. Leviticus 12: Purification After Childbirth

   • This chapter outlines the rituals for women after childbirth, detailing periods of purification and the offerings required for both male and female births (Leviticus 12:1-8). Fr. Mike clarifies that the terms "clean" and "unclean" are ritual statuses rather than moral judgments, emphasizing their role in enabling individuals to participate in worship.

3. Psalm 73: A Struggle with Envy and Affirmation of Faith

   • Psalm 73 expresses the psalmist's turmoil witnessing the prosperity of the wicked. Initially envious and questioning God's justice, the psalmist finds solace and understanding upon entering the sanctuary of God, recognizing the ultimate fate of the wicked and reaffirming trust in divine providence (Psalm 73:1-28).

Reflections and Insights

Fr. Mike Schmitz provides deep reflections on the selected scriptures, highlighting themes of trust, leadership, and the nature of God's miracles.

• Divine Provision and Leadership: Reflecting on Exodus 17-18, Fr. Mike underscores God's unwavering support for Israel despite their shortcomings. He praises Jethro's wisdom in advising Moses, illustrating the importance of delegating responsibilities to foster a sustainable and effective community (12:30).

• Understanding Ritual Purity: Addressing Leviticus 12, Fr. Mike explains that ritual purity laws were designed to maintain a sense of holiness and order within the community. He reassures listeners that these laws are not about moral superiority but about facilitating worship and community participation (30:45).

• Miracles vs. Natural Explanations: A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to defending the miraculous nature of biblical events against naturalistic interpretations. Fr. Mike shares an anecdote about a professor and his son discussing the Red Sea crossing, emphasizing that even if natural explanations are proposed, the overarching narrative of divine intervention remains intact. He asserts, “When all natural explanations are eliminated, what's left is the supernatural” (45:20).

• The Reality of God Fighting for His People: Fr. Mike highlights that God's miraculous interventions, such as providing water and defeating Amalek, are testimonies to His active role in guiding and protecting His people. He stresses that understanding these miracles strengthens faith and builds confidence in God's providential care (50:10).

Notable Quotes

• “Truly a miracle. Not simply a natural phenomena, but something supernatural, a supernatural phenomenon which is worth noting.” (45:25)

• “Ritual cleanliness... simply means, can a person approach the temple? Can a person approach the sanctuary? Can a person approach the worship of God?” (65:10)

• “When you let’s say the crossing of the Red Sea wasn't a miracle, it was two inches of water. But what's a miracle is that all of the Egyptians and Pharaoh, they drowned in two inches of water.” (52:40)

Understanding Ritual Cleanliness

Fr. Mike takes time to elucidate the concept of "clean" and "unclean" in the Old Testament, particularly in the context of Leviticus 12. He clarifies that these terms relate to ritual purity necessary for participation in worship and not to moral purity. Fr. Mike explains that activities associated with life and death, such as childbirth or contact with bodily fluids, render one ritually unclean simply because they involve potent life forces.

“Life and death are the common denominators. So if you come in contact with death, you're ritually unclean.” (58:15)

Conclusion and Encouragement

Fr. Mike concludes the episode by encouraging listeners to embrace the transformative power of God's Word. He urges them to subscribe, stay committed to the Bible reading plan, and continue seeking a deeper understanding of Scripture through prayer and reflection. His heartfelt invitation to pray together fosters a sense of community and mutual support among listeners.

“There’s still roughly 330 days to talk about this kind of thing with each other and to pray for each other because that's what I'm doing for you. Please pray for me.” (80:30)

Final Prayer

The episode wraps with a communal prayer, thanking God for His word and seeking His continuous presence and guidance.

“Father in heaven, we thank you. We thank you for your word. We give you praise and glory. We ask that you please be with us right now and always. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.” (78:50)

This comprehensive episode of The Bible in a Year not only guides listeners through essential biblical narratives but also provides profound theological insights and practical applications for daily living. Fr. Mike Schmitz's engaging approach ensures that listeners gain a deeper appreciation of God's mystical works and their place within His grand salvation story.