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

Episode: Day 84: The Sun Stands Still (2026)

Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Date: March 25, 2026

Episode Overview

On Day 84, Fr. Mike walks listeners through Joshua Chapters 10 and 11 and reflects on Psalm 128. The main theme is the miraculous account of “the sun standing still” in Joshua 10, its implications for faith and science, and how these stories of conquest fit into God's larger, original plan for humanity. Fr. Mike addresses the challenge of reading accounts of war and violence in Scripture, reassuring listeners of God's desire for peace and unity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Scripture Reading Recap (Joshua 10-11, Psalm 128)

• Joshua 10: The allied kings of the Amorites attack Gibeon for allying with Israel. God reassures Joshua and helps Israel win miraculously, throwing the enemy into panic, sending hailstones, and—most memorably—making the sun stand still so the Israelites can achieve total victory (00:37–04:30).
  • Quote (Joshua's prayer): “Sun, stand still at Gibeon, and you, moon, in the valley of Aijalon” (02:40).
  • Five captured enemy kings are executed per Joshua’s command.
• Joshua 11: Joshua conquers additional northern territories, destroys enemy cities, and fulfills all that was commanded to Moses. Israel finally has rest from war (15:00).
• Psalm 128: Blessings for all who fear and follow the Lord, with imagery of familial prosperity and peace.

2. Reflection: Faith, Science, and the Miracle of the Sun (16:30–22:00)

• The “Sun Standing Still” and Science:

  • Fr. Mike addresses questions modern Christians have about miracles and their plausibility post-scientific revolution, especially in light of Joshua 10.
  • Quote (Fr. Mike, 16:50): “Good faith and good science never contradict. What contradicts are bad faith or bad science.”
  • He distinguishes this issue from the historic (and often misunderstood) “Galileo affair,” noting the real conflict was more personal and political than scientific versus religious.
  • Fr. Mike points out that Copernicus—a cleric and scientist—was not opposed by the Church, and early churchmen were supportive of scientific inquiry.

• How to Read Joshua 10:

  • Some take the miracle literally—God supernaturally altered nature for Israel’s sake.
  • Others read it as poetic language or figurative description of an unbelievably complete victory.
  • Fr. Mike suggests both readings are valid within the Church’s tradition.

• Miracle of the Sun at Fatima:

  • Fr. Mike draws a parallel to the 1917 Fatima miracle, where tens of thousands (believers, skeptics, atheists) reported witnessing the sun “dance” in the sky—an undeniable, locally-constrained supernatural event.
  • Quote (Fr. Mike, 18:48): “What the experience of it was for the people who were there was unmistakable and undeniable. It was a miracle that did not throw all of the cosmos into chaos.”

  “So, could something like that have happened in Joshua chapter 10? Absolutely.” (Fr. Mike, 19:20)

• God and Natural/Supernatural Truth:

  • Scripture sometimes uses figures of speech; the truth God wants to teach can be poetic, historic, or miraculous.
  • Good faith and good science are both pursuits of truth—supernatural and natural—so there is no real conflict.

3. Grappling with Violence in Joshua — God’s Original Plan vs. Brokenness (22:01–26:30)

• Acknowledges discomfort with pervasive violence and war (especially when divinely sanctioned) in these chapters.

• God’s Plan:

  • “This isn’t necessarily God’s plan. What I mean is, it’s not God’s first plan.” (Fr. Mike, 22:13)
  • God’s original intent is for harmony and peace among all his children.
  • Violence, conquest, and division are not God’s will but results of humanity’s brokenness.
  • “God’s original plan is not death, is not destruction, is not violence. It is only a result of our broken humanity and our brokenness that God allows in his plan.” (Fr. Mike, 23:05)

• Scripture’s Arc Points to Unity:

  • The Bible starts with peace and ends in the unity of all nations (Book of Revelation).
  • Quote (Fr. Mike, 25:25): “What he wants is the triumph of his name. And that all people, even in the midst of this broken world, come to know him and come to be united once again with each other.”
  • The violence narrated is not an endorsement by God but a record of how God’s people navigated—and sometimes failed—in a fallen world.

• Rest from War:

  • Joshua 11’s final line: “And the land had rest from war.” Fr. Mike highlights this line as summing up God’s ultimate desire—for us to have interior peace, national peace, rest from war.
  • Encourages listeners to keep wrestling with tough questions, keep reading, praying, and trusting God’s larger plan.

4. Guided Prayer & Encouragement (26:31–End)

• Prays for understanding of God’s justice, peace, and guidance despite the disturbing elements in the narrative.
• Invites listeners to pray for each other and assures of his ongoing prayers.
• Quote (Fr. Mike, closing): “Let’s keep on fighting—not against each other, but for each other. That’s why we pray for each other. I’m praying for you. Please pray for me. My name is Fr. Mike. I cannot wait to see you tomorrow. God bless.” (26:57)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Faith and Science:

  "Good faith and good science never contradict. ... Because good faith is pursuit of what? Pursuit of truth. And good science is a pursuit of what? Pursuit of truth. What we know is that truth can never contradict truth."
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz (17:10)

• On Miracles and Human Perception:

  "It was a miracle that did not throw all of the cosmos into chaos."
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz, on the Fatima sun miracle (18:50)

• On God’s Will:

  "God’s original plan is not death, is not destruction, is not violence. It is only a result of our broken humanity and our brokenness that God allows in his plan."
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz (23:08)

• On the Ultimate Hope:

  “The land had rest from war. And that is what God wants for us—in our hearts, in our countries, in our world—to finally, at some point, have rest from war.”
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz (26:15)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:37–15:00: Joshua 10–11 scripture reading & summary
• 15:01–16:30: Psalm 128 reading
• 16:31–22:00: Faith, science, and the “sun standing still”; Galileo and Fatima
• 22:01–26:30: Reflecting on violence in Joshua; God’s plan for peace and unity
• 26:31–End: Guided prayer and closing encouragement

Summary

This episode explores the tension between miraculous accounts in Scripture and modern scientific understanding, emphasizing that genuine faith and true science are not in conflict. Fr. Mike reassures listeners that the episodes of violence in Joshua, though difficult, are not prescriptive of God’s will, but the result of humanity’s broken history—God’s deepest desire remains unity and peace for all. Drawing on both historical context and personal encouragement, the episode guides listeners through understanding, reflection, and communal prayer.