Podcast Summary: The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Episode: Day 37 – The Mystical Works of God (2026)
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Date: February 6, 2026
Main Theme & Purpose
This episode guides listeners through Exodus 17–18, Leviticus 12, and Psalm 73, with a particular emphasis on the mystical and supernatural works of God as experienced by the Israelites. Fr. Mike addresses both the content of the Scripture readings and unpacks difficult concepts—such as ritual purity laws—while providing commentary that encourages seeing God’s action in both the miraculous and the ordinary details of life.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Exodus 17: Water from the Rock and Victory over Amalek (00:55 – 10:50)
- The Israelites, desperate for water at Rephidim, complain to Moses, prompting him to cry out to God. God instructs Moses to strike a rock, providing lifesaving water—an act both miraculous and symbolic.
- A battle ensues with the Amalekites; Israel prevails as long as Moses keeps his hands raised, with Aaron and Hur supporting him when he tires. This intercession, visually dependent on Moses’s actions, underscores the need for communal support and God’s direct intervention.
Quote – Fr. Mike (15:23):
“You say, well, maybe they just fought hard… but also, they won when Moses was interceding for them and raising the staff of the Lord above them. And they were being defeated when Moses stopped interceding…”
2. Exodus 18: Jethro’s Visit and the Delegation of Leadership (10:51 – 17:10)
- Jethro, Moses’s father-in-law, arrives and hears about God's deeds. He praises God and offers sacrifices, recognizing Yahweh's supremacy.
- Observing Moses overwhelmed by the task of judging the people, Jethro advises him to delegate authority. Leaders are appointed over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, allowing Moses to focus on the most difficult matters.
Quote – Exodus 18:17-18 (Read by Fr. Mike, 12:35):
“What you are doing is not good… you and the people with you will wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you.”
3. Leviticus 12: Ritual Purification after Childbirth (17:11 – 19:35)
- Detailed rules are given for purification following childbirth. Fr. Mike clarifies that “unclean” in this context is a ritual, not a moral, status.
- Touching on often-puzzling purity laws, he explains how contact with life and death, often rendered through bodily fluids or childbirth, triggers these periods of ritual separation—not as a punishment, but as recognition of the sacredness of life and the need for re-integration into worship.
Quote – Fr. Mike (19:10):
“Unclean does not mean immoral… clean and unclean are not moral states. They simply mean: can a person approach the temple, the sanctuary, the worship of God?”
4. Psalm 73: Struggle with Envy and the Fate of the Wicked (19:36 – 21:45)
- The psalm reflects on the apparent prosperity of the wicked versus the trials of the just, but ultimately affirms trust in God’s justice and presence.
- Key lines emphasize the struggle with doubt, but a transformative experience in the “sanctuary of God” leads to deeper faith and reliance on God alone.
Quote – Psalm 73:26 (Read by Fr. Mike, 21:10):
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
5. Reflection: The Supernatural in Scripture vs. Natural Explanations (21:46 – 23:51)
- Fr. Mike discusses the temptation to “demystify” biblical miracles by offering purely natural explanations (e.g., for manna or the Red Sea crossing).
- He shares a memorable anecdote about a Jewish family and a college student being told the Red Sea parted due to wind, with the father humorously responding that the real miracle would then be the Egyptians drowning in “two inches of water.”
Quote – Fr. Mike (22:44):
“Scripture itself testifies to the miraculous nature of what's going on… what we have is on the sixth day, you gather double portion and on the seventh day, that double portion doesn't spoil… truly a miracle, not simply a natural phenomenon, but something supernatural.”
6. Guidance for Modern Listeners: Encounter and Prayer (23:52 – End)
- Fr. Mike encourages listeners to see themselves in the continuing story of salvation, recognizing God’s ongoing presence and guidance in their lives.
- He closes with an invitation to pray for each other and to persevere in exploring Scripture together.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On Miracles and Skepticism (22:10):
“The first step that the Church does is ask the question: is there any natural explanation for this?... But if there is not, and these stories indicate that there are no natural explanations, then we realize… what's left is the supernatural.”
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On Ritual Purity (20:22):
“Virtually all the factors that could make a person unclean have to do with life… if a person comes in contact with an animal’s carcass, that has life and death… blood is associated with life.”
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Encouragement for the Journey (24:32):
“Please pray for me. Cannot wait to see you tomorrow. My name is Father Mike. God bless.”
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Timestamp | Segment | |------------|------------------------------------------------------| | 00:55 | Exodus 17: Water from the Rock, Amalekite conflict | | 10:51 | Exodus 18: Jethro, delegation of leadership | | 17:11 | Leviticus 12: Purification after childbirth | | 19:36 | Psalm 73: The prosperity of the wicked | | 21:46 | Reflection: Miracles—supernatural vs. natural | | 23:52 | Final reflection & prayer |
Tone & Style
Throughout this episode, Fr. Mike combines warmth, humor, and practical theology. His style is eloquent, approachable, and pastorally sensitive—regularly breaking down difficult concepts and inviting listeners into prayerful reflection and a sense of solidarity.
Summary in a Nutshell
Fr. Mike Schmitz uses this episode to guide listeners through narratives of divine intervention, wrestle with ritual laws in context, and challenge a reductionist view of miracle stories. He intertwines Scripture with encouragement for personal faith, all with a sincere and relatable touch, leaving listeners both informed and inspired.