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

Episode: Day 4 – The Flood (2026)
Date: January 4, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode covers the famous Flood narrative (Genesis 7–9), the immediate aftermath, and Psalm 1. Fr. Mike Schmitz reads the selected Bible passages, reflects on their meaning, explores the brokenness and hope inherent in humanity's story, and draws connections to Catholic teaching and daily life. The episode’s purpose is to highlight the ongoing themes of sin, judgment, mercy, and God’s covenant love.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Scripture Readings: Genesis 7, 8, and 9; Psalm 1

[01:18–10:20]

• Noah Enters the Ark:
  God commands Noah to bring his family and pairs of animals into the ark, emphasizing Noah's righteousness.

  • “Noah did all that the Lord had commanded him.” [02:10]

• The Flood:
  The floodwaters cover the earth for 40 days and nights, wiping out all life except those in the ark.

  • “All flesh died that moved upon the earth... Only Noah was left, and those that were with him in the ark.” [03:36]

• Receding Waters & New Beginning:
  The water recedes, the ark comes to rest on Ararat, and Noah sends out the raven and dove to test if the land is habitable.

  • “He waited another seven days; and again he sent forth the dove... the dove came back…with a freshly plucked olive leaf.” [05:04]

• God’s Covenant & Rainbow:
  After Noah offers sacrifice, God makes a covenant: never again will a flood destroy the earth. The rainbow is established as a sign of this promise.

  • “I set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.” [07:57]

• Genesis 9 Rules and Blessings:
  God gives permission for mankind to eat animals, but forbids eating blood and institutes respect for the sanctity of human life.

  • “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for God made man in his own image.” [07:41]

• Noah’s Vineyard & the Sin of Ham:
  A dark episode follows where Noah becomes drunk and Ham’s actions lead to the curse of Canaan.

  • “Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father…and told his two brothers outside.” [08:48]

• Psalm 1:
  Contrasts the righteous and the wicked, emphasizing delight in God’s law.

  • “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked... but his delight is in the law of the Lord.” [09:47]

2. Fr. Mike’s Reflection & Connection to Church Teaching

[10:30–20:05]

• God’s Unconditional Love & Faithfulness:
  Fr. Mike prays, giving thanks for God’s persistent, renewing love, even when he uses water’s destructive power for new life.

  • “Your love is unstoppable and unconditional... you have used even the destructive power of water to renew the face of the earth.” [10:36]

• New Permissions and Prohibitions:

  • After the flood, God permits eating animals, with respect for their lives and a special prohibition against murder.
  • Fr. Mike emphasizes animals’ place in creation (referencing Catechism paragraphs 2416–2417):
    • “By their mere existence, they bless him and give him glory. Thus, men owe animals kindness.... But there’s this notion, right, where God has made a distinction here: that animals may be killed and eaten, human beings may never. Innocent lives may never be taken.” [14:20]

• Dignity of Human Life:

  • He highlights the command, “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed,” as a profound affirmation of humanity’s dignity.
  • Fr. Mike quotes the catechism:
    • “The covenant between God and mankind is interwoven with reminders of God's gift of human life and man's murderous violence.” [13:41]
    • “That’s God’s gift to us as human beings: to be made in God’s image and likeness.” [13:56]

• Brokenness & Sin Even After Salvation:

  • The episode with Noah’s sons powerfully illustrates generational sin, broken families, and the need for grace.
  • “Once again, the dignity that we have as human beings... only seems to accent the murderous intent of our hearts, our willingness to do evil at times.” [16:59]
  • The “sin of Ham” is explained as not simply voyeurism, but (according to many scholars) an act of domination and humiliation, possibly sexual, increasing the depth of the family wound.

• Universal Need for Grace:

  • Fr. Mike draws the narrative to the present, highlighting that all humanity is broken and needs God’s grace daily.
  • “I place myself under your dominion, I place myself under your lordship, and I place myself under your grace. Because I know you’ve called me to heights… yet in my heart I’m broken.” [18:37]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On God’s Covenant with Noah:

  • “God is setting down his bow and saying, ‘I will never, ever again destroy the earth by a flood.’ … God’s making peace by making a covenant.”
    — Fr. Mike Schmitz [12:06]

• On the Human Heart:

  • “Human beings in our hearts are broken... the thoughts of the human heart are, as Scripture says, murderous.”
    — Fr. Mike Schmitz [14:05]

• On Family and Brokenness:

  • “Families are consistently broken…we’re going to find again and again as we continue to move through scripture… the break of families.”
    — Fr. Mike Schmitz [16:15]

• On Surrendering to Grace:

  • “God, I place myself under your dominion. I place myself under your lordship, and I place myself under your grace. …I beg for your grace.”
    — Fr. Mike Schmitz [18:28]

Important Timestamps

• Genesis Flood Story Reading: [01:18–09:47]
• Psalm 1 Reading: [09:47–10:20]
• Opening Prayer of Thanksgiving: [10:30–11:19]
• Noah’s Righteousness Highlighted: [11:19–11:44]
• Rainbow as Covenant Sign: [12:06–12:20]
• Permissions and Prohibitions after the Flood: [12:27–14:20]
• Catechism Quotes on the Dignity of Life: [13:41–14:20]
• Explanation of Ham’s Sin and Family Brokenness: [15:29–16:34]
• Call to Seek and Surrender to Grace: [17:56–18:47]

Overall Takeaway

Fr. Mike Schmitz guides listeners through the Flood as both an act of judgment and of new beginning, stressing how God’s covenant love persists despite human sin. The narrative is rooted in dignity, the call to mercy, and the ongoing challenges of human brokenness, all pointing toward the need for daily surrender to grace.

For further scripture context and catechism details referenced, or to continue your journey, subscribe to the podcast or view the reading plan at Ascension’s website.