Faith, pop culture, and headline reflections from Fr. Mike Schmitz.
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In The Bible in a Year podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz walks you through the entire Bible in 365 episodes, providing commentary, reflection, and prayer along the way. Unlike any other Bible podcast, Ascension’s Bible in a Year podcast follows a reading plan inspired by The Great Adventure Bible Timeline, a ground-breaking approach to understanding salvation history developed by renowned Catholic Bible scholar Jeff Cavins. For each period in the timeline, Jeff will join Fr. Mike for a special episo ...
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In Ascension’s The Catechism in a Year podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz guides you through the entire Catechism of the Catholic Church in 365 episodes, providing explanation, insight, and encouragement along the way. Unlike any other Catechism podcast, The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) podcast follows a reading plan inspired by Ascension’s Foundations of Faith approach, a color-coded approach that reveals the structure of the Catechism, making it easier to read and understand. With th ...
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Fr. Mike zeroes in on the deep friendship between Jonathan and David and the enduring power of their brotherly bond. He breaks down the different kinds of friendship according to Greek philosophy, and points out how true and virtuous friendship is so rare and special. Today's readings are 1 Samuel 20 and Psalm 142. For the complete reading plan, vi…
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Day 112: The Church Is the Bride (2025)
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16:13Christ is the head of the Church. The Catechism describes Jesus’ relationship to his Church as “a personal relationship…expressed by the image of bridegroom and bride.” Fr. Mike points out how important this is by reminding us that, underneath all of the doctrine and the dogma, God is madly in love with you. If we always remember this love, everyth…
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What Jesus Needs From You This Holy Week
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5:03As we journey through Holy Week, let's pause before rushing to Easter. This sacred time invites us to reflect deeply on Jesus' message to His disciples and to us: "Stay with me." Today, Fr. Mike Schmitz emphasizes the power of simply being present with Jesus. He reminds us that during this solemn week, Jesus isn't asking for our perfection or stren…
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Day 111: Saul Tries to Kill David (2025)
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19:44Fr. Mike contrasts Jonathan's brotherly friendship with David, and Saul's bitterness and envy towards David. We also learn from Psalm 59 that David still praised God in his distress as Saul tried to kill him. Today we read 1 Samuel 18-19 and Psalm 59. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible conta…
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Day 111: The Church as the Body of Christ (2025)
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17:28“The Church is communion with Jesus.” The Catechism shows us what it means for the Church to be considered the “body of Christ”. Fr. Mike explains how being part of the Church makes us “united in him, in his body”—more intimately connected with Jesus than even the Apostles were. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 787-791. This episode has be…
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God draws people to himself and makes them his own. The Catechism shows us what makes God’s people different from everyone else, and what it is that unites them. Fr. Mike hones in on what exactly it is that the People of God do, and exhorts us to start doing that right here, today. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 781-786. This episode has…
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Today we read the epic story of how David defeats Goliath, a giant Philistine warrior. Fr. Mike points out that David's heroic courage in this battle came from David's faithfulness to God and to the small tasks entrusted to him as a shepherd. We learn that when we are faithful and courageous in small matters, we can face the giants in our bigger ba…
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Day 109: Mystery of Union With God (2025)
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17:09Do we love the Church? Some of us might struggle with that idea, but Fr. Mike explains that if we are to love and live in accordance with the heart of Jesus, we must love what he loves. Jesus, the bridegroom, loves his bride, the Church, so we must love the Church. We also learn that the sacraments are not only signs but also the very instruments b…
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As we continue to read about Saul's vanity and disobedience, Fr. Mike emphasizes the importance of the virtue of obedience in our relationship with God. He also points out how God chose David to be anointed as king because David was a man after God's own heart. Today's readings are 1 Samuel 15-16 and Psalm 61. For the complete reading plan, visit a…
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Fr. Mike highlights Saul's brokenness and vanity as he makes an unlawful sacrifice and a rash oath in order to save Israel in the midst of war. Today's readings are 1 Samuel 13-14, and Psalm 58. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - …
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Day 108: Revealed by the Holy Spirit (2025)
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18:47Jesus Christ established the Church, but the Holy Spirit continually sanctifies the Church with wisdom, guidance, and charismatic gifts. The Church’s mission is to proclaim and establish the beginning of God’s Kingdom on earth, and we participate in this mission through charity, humility, and self-denial. Fr. Mike helps us understand the seemingly …
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As we continue reading from 1 Samuel, Fr. Mike points out how God gave the people a king like they wanted, even though it was not part of his plan. This reveals to us that even when we choose things that God does not want for us, he is still with us. The readings are 1 Samuel 11-12 and Psalm 55. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.c…
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The origin of the Church is just one of the ways we can come to know the depth of God’s love for us. From the very beginning, the Church, as a gathering of the people of God, has been a plan born of the Father’s heart. Fr. Mike explains that Jesus Christ instituted the Church, that salvation comes to us through the Holy Spirit in the Church, and th…
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As we begin the Royal Kingdom period, we hear about the first king of Israel, Saul. We discover that though Saul looks like a fearless warrior, he has a major flaw. Fr. Mike also points out the significance of the readings from Proverbs. Today's readings are 1 Samuel 9-10 and Proverbs 6:23-35. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com…
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Introduction to the Royal Kingdom (with Jeff Cavins) (2025)
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24:45Welcome to the Royal Kingdom period! Jeff Cavins joins Fr. Mike to set the scene for this time period. They review the major players, and why the people of Israel asked for a king. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discr…
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Day 106: Symbols of the Church (2025)
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17:26There are many different symbols of the Church that can help us to understand it. We learn some of these symbols today, including a sheepfold, a cultivated field, the building of God, the spotless lamb, the bride of Christ, and our mother. Fr. Mike reminds us that, like us, the Church on earth needs constant reform. Jesus loves the Church and gave …
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Day 105: Christ’s Church and its Mission (2025)
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17:02The Church has no other light than Christ's, and the Holy Spirit is the source of all its holiness. We believe that the Church is "holy," "catholic," "one," and "apostolic." Fr. Mike explains that Jesus has promised to guide the Church in the truth. Members of the Church are called and uniquely belong to the Lord. We also learn that the word 'churc…
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In our final reading from the Gospel of John, we hear about the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Fr. Mike points out the connection between the Paschal lamb and Jesus, and also the connection between the Last Supper and the Crucifixion. Today's readings are John 19-21 and Proverbs 6:16-22. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensio…
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Day 104: The Priestly Prayer of Jesus (2025)
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22:06Fr. Mike reflects on the prayer of Jesus before his sacrifice, where he not only prays for all his disciples but for us as well. We also dive into Christ's trial with Pilate, and how the actions of the Jews are much like ours today. Today's readings are John 16-18 and Proverbs 6:12-15. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/biblein…
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Day 104: The Holy Spirit and the Church (2025)
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17:14As we conclude this article on the Holy Spirit, the Catechism teaches us today about the relationship between the Holy Spirit and the Church. Fr. Mike breaks down the four main ways the Holy Spirit is active in the mission of Christ and how the life of the Church completes that mission. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 737-747. This episod…
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Fr. Mike points out the secrecy in Judas' life, and highlights Jesus' words of conviction to the disciples before his death on the cross. He also explains how important it is to bring Jesus into our temptation, and to not hide our hearts from him like Judas did. Today's readings are John 13-15 and Proverbs 6:6-11. For the complete reading plan, vis…
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Day 103: The Power of Pentecost (2025)
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14:38Pentecost marks the beginning of the age of the Church, the time in which the Kingdom is inherited but not fully consummated. Today, we dive into the meaning and significance of Pentecost for our lives. Fr. Mike explains how the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost fulfills Christ’s Passover. On that glorious day, the Father, Son, and Holy Sp…
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Fr. Mike recalls the death of Lazarus, and how Jesus not only allowed himself to be broken by the sorrow that breaks us but also how he took that hopelessness and brought forth life. He also explains how the covenants we've seen in the Old Testament are all leading to the eternal covenant that will be instituted through Christ on the Cross. Today's…
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Day 102: The Holy Spirit’s Mission (2025)
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16:55The working of the Holy Spirit in and through Mary and the Son is a pivotal part of God's plan of salvation. The Catechism today reveals to us how the Holy Spirit prepared Mary to fulfill the Father's plan and manifest the Son to humanity. We also learn how the Holy Spirit and the Son work together in a joint mission. Finally, Fr. Mike highlights h…
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Day 101: Expecting the Messiah (2025)
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16:31Fr. Mike continues to explore the joint mission of the Word and Spirit in the Old and New Testaments. Together, we unpack how the Holy Spirit has been moving the prophets, particularly the prophet Isaiah. We learn how the characteristics of the Messiah are revealed, above all, in the “Servant Songs.” We also examine the Holy Spirit’s role in John t…
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Fr. Mike explains how the signs and wonders Jesus demonstrates in the Gospel point to the truth of his identity. He also touches on Proverbs 5, especially the last verse touching on discipline. Today's readings are John 7-9 and Proverbs 5:15-23. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains ad…
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Miracles: The Bible vs. Today (What's Changed?)
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7:56Do miracles occur more frequently in the Bible or in today's world? Why do some of my prayers for miracles seem unanswered? Today, Fr. Mike Schmitz delves into the mystery of miracles, explaining how they are recognized and validated in the Catholic Church, and exploring why God sometimes grants miracles and other times does not. Tickets are on sal…
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Day 100: God’s Word and Spirit (2025)
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21:30Together with Fr. Mike, we unpack the joint mission of God’s Word and the Spirit in the Old and New Testaments. Fr. Mike emphasizes the Spirit’s role in creation, the theophanies, and the Law. We conclude today’s reflection with an examination of the prefiguration of the Church in the exile of the people of God in the Old Testament. Today’s reading…
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Today we read about Jesus' powerful teaching about the Eucharist. Fr. Mike invites us to believe that the Eucharist is truly the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ because Jesus said it himself. Today's readings are John 4-6 and Proverbs 5:7-14. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note:…
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Today we begin reading the Gospel of John! Fr. Mike emphasizes the significance of Jesus' divinity, and explains how the story of salvation culminates in Christ as the Messiah. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretio…
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Messianic Checkpoint: The Gospel of John (2025)
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20:57You've made it to the first Messianic Checkpoint! Jeff Cavins joins Fr. Mike to introduce the Gospel of John. They discuss the structure of this Gospel and what makes it so different from the other three Gospels. We learn that the Gospel of John doesn't just tell us what Jesus did, but most importantly who he is. For the complete reading plan, visi…
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Day 99: Symbols of the Holy Spirit (2025)
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19:32Fr. Mike explores the different symbols the faithful use when discussing the Holy Spirit, such as fire, water, and anointing. We examine how these symbols help us more fully apprehend the person of the Holy Spirit. Fr. Mike unpacks the meaning of each symbol, as well as each symbol's connection to the Old Testament. Today’s readings are Catechism p…
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