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

Episode: Day 42 – Moral Laws
Date: February 11, 2026

Overview

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz leads listeners through a rich journey across Exodus 24, Leviticus 17 and 18, and Psalm 78, focusing on the themes of covenant, sacrifice, and moral law—particularly the enduring principles of sexual morality outlined in Leviticus. He ties ancient scriptural events directly to the reality and practices of the Catholic faith today, offering deep theological insight, practical reflection, and encouragement.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Exodus 24: The Blood of the Covenant

• Moses is summoned up the mountain, accompanied by Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and 70 elders. Only Moses is invited closer to God (02:00).
• The Israelites affirm their willingness to obey God:
  “All the words which the Lord has spoken, we will do.” (Scripture, ~03:45)
• Moses sprinkles half the blood of the sacrifice on the altar and half on the people, symbolizing the covenant bond. This act prefigures liturgical rituals within the Catholic Mass.
• The leaders of Israel eat and drink in the presence of God—a powerful foreshadowing of Eucharistic communion.
• Fr. Mike draws a parallel to modern Catholic rites of initiation (RCIA) and participation in the Eucharist.

  “This is exactly what happens to us... Whenever we have a group of people who come into the Church as adults... they’re saying what the people of Israel said in Exodus 24: Everything the Lord has said, we will do.” (Fr. Mike, 18:00)

• The experience in Exodus is not distant from present believers; every Mass is a real participation in the new and eternal covenant.

2. Leviticus 17–18: Moral Laws, Sacrifice, and Sexual Morality

• Sacrificial Rules (Lev 17):
  • Sacrifices must be brought to the tent of meeting—no unsanctioned offerings are allowed, ensuring unity of worship and distinguishing Israel from pagan practices (13:00).
  • The sanctity of blood is emphasized:
    "For the life of the flesh is in the blood... it is the blood that makes atonement by reason of the life." (Scripture, ~14:30)
  • Eating blood is strictly forbidden, underlining the sacredness of life.
• Sexual Morality (Lev 18):
  • Prohibitions against incest, adultery, child sacrifice, homosexual acts, and bestiality are explicitly listed and categorized as abominations (16:20).
  • Fr. Mike clarifies the enduring nature of these laws by distinguishing three types of Old Testament law:
    • Civil Laws: Specific to Israelite society, now obsolete.
    • Liturgical/Temple Laws: Pertaining to worship, outdated with the Temple's destruction.
    • Moral Laws: Universal, remain binding.

      “Those laws concerning sexual relations are not merely for Israel… God is saying, no, actually, the Canaanites… they defiled themselves by these things. So this isn’t simply conditional.” (Fr. Mike, 23:20)

  • The distinction addresses modern questions: Why do some Old Testament rules no longer apply, but others do? Moral law, especially regarding sexual ethics, transcends cultural and historical boundaries (24:00).

3. Psalm 78: The Call to Remember

• The psalmist recounts Israel’s history of God’s faithfulness and the people’s repeated rebellion.
• It teaches the importance of remembering God’s deeds and not succumbing to spiritual forgetfulness:

  “One of the big temptations we all have is to forget what you have done, to forget your might, to forget your goodness, to forget your love for us…” (Fr. Mike, 10:10)

• Fr. Mike encourages listeners to pray with Psalm 78, reflecting on both the gifts and the fickleness of the human heart.

4. Personal Reflection and Hope

• Fr. Mike acknowledges the challenging and sometimes painful subject matter, especially regarding sexual morality. He speaks directly to those who struggle, have been hurt, or find themselves at odds with these teachings:

  “What it means for you is that you are one of God’s beloved... All of us experience brokenness in one way or another. This is one of the reasons why God has given us his law, and it is the reason why God gives us his grace.” (Fr. Mike, 27:00)

• The laws, rather than being instruments of condemnation, are gifts that guide us toward true freedom and healing in God’s love.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Covenant and Eucharist:

  “What happens at every Mass, we say, ‘This is the blood of the new and eternal covenant.’ And what happens is that that blood is there on the altar, and then we get to take it and receive it, and that establishes that, confirms the covenant, confirms our place.” (Fr. Mike, 19:00)

• On the Enduring Nature of Moral Law:

  “But the third kinds of laws with regard to morality are still in effect. Because why? Because they were not conditional. They were not merely for Israel to get along. They were for everyone.” (Fr. Mike, 22:50)

• Pastoral Compassion:

  “Whether those things be laws concerning sexual morality, or you’re a victim... or you’re someone who’s struggling... know this, you are one of God’s beloved... Let that be the takeaway—not experiencing condemnation, but experiencing hope.” (Fr. Mike, 28:10)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Exodus 24: Blood of the Covenant Explained: 16:00–21:00
• Leviticus—Types of Laws and Their Relevance: 21:30–25:00
• Application to Modern RCIA and Eucharist: 18:00–20:30
• Sexual Morality and Universal Moral Law: 22:50–24:50
• Psalm 78 and the Power of Remembering: 10:00–12:00
• Pastoral Reflection and Closing Hope: 27:00–29:00

Summary Takeaway

Fr. Mike’s teaching underscores that God’s moral law is an expression of God’s love and a path to true life, not mere ancient rules. The episodes from Exodus and Leviticus are not just history—they foreshadow and explain the deepest realities of Catholic worship and spiritual life today. No matter where we are—hurt, struggling, or seeking—God’s law and His grace declare us beloved and invite us to deeper relationship and hope.