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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Day 163: Faith Over Success (2025)
24:10
24:10
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24:10Fr. Mike touches on King Rehobo'am's last acts and the rise of his son, Abi′jah. He also explains how the mistakes of Israel's leaders show the importance of faith over success. Today's readings are 1 Kings 13, 2 Chronicles 12-13, and Song of Solomon 2. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible con…
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Day 163: Summary of the Liturgy (2025)
11:25
11:25
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11:25In today’s “nugget day”, we review the main takeaways from our readings on the liturgy. Fr. Mike invites us to remember that every time we participate in the liturgy, we are participating in the heavenly worship of the Father. We also learn that in times of discouragement, we can unite ourselves to Christ our high priest by praying the Liturgy of t…
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If You Feel Lost Right Now (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
6:49
6:49
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6:49Feeling unsure about the road ahead? Do you catch yourself comparing your journey to everyone else’s? Fr. Mike has a message to anyone in a life transition who may feel lost or uncertain about what’s next. He reminds us that the whole point of the story is not what happens in the story; it’s who you become in the process. You’re not falling behind.…
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Day 162: Rehoboam Seeks Counsel (2025)
23:48
23:48
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23:48Fr. Mike explains why it's better to seek counsel from those who don't necessarily always agree with us, using the experience of Rehobo′am as an example. He also touches on the failed leadership of Jerobo′am as he leads his people into false places of worship and idolatry. Today's readings are 1 Kings 12, 2 Chronicles 10-11, and Song of Solomon 1. …
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Introduction to the Divided Kingdom (with Jeff Cavins)-2025
28:40
28:40
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28:40Welcome to the Divided Kingdom period! Jeff Cavins joins Fr. Mike to explain the critical information needed to understand the rest of our biblical readings. They talk about Solomon's alliances with foreign nations, the growth of a civil war, and the incredible significance of 1 Kings 12:16. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/b…
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Day 162: Where the Liturgy Is Celebrated (2025)
13:46
13:46
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13:46Where is the liturgy celebrated? The Catechism offers us overarching principles as well as specific details about the spaces in which the liturgy is celebrated. Fr. Mike highlights the importance of endowing dignity and respect to these physical spaces because they are sacred places of encounter with our Lord. Today’s readings are Catechism paragra…
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Day 161: The Liturgy of the Hours (2025)
18:31
18:31
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18:31The Liturgy of the Hours is known as the “public prayer of the Church.” Fr. Mike explains how praying the Liturgy of the Hours sanctifies time and gives God the opportunity to speak to us throughout our day. Fr. Mike encourages us to see the Liturgy of the Hours as a great gift from the Church that can powerfully transform our prayer lives when it …
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Day 161: The Crucifixion of Christ (2025)
19:16
19:16
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19:16Fr. Mike finishes the gospel of Mark by reflecting on the death and resurrection of Christ. He also encourages us to reflect on the redemption of our own sins every time we see a crucifix and to return that same sacrificial love to God every day. Today's readings are Mark 15-16 and Psalm 22. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/b…
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Day 160: The Liturgical Year (2025)
10:16
10:16
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10:16Fr. Mike reviews the major solemnities and feast days that make up the liturgical year and explains why they are important to celebrate. We learn that the liturgical year highlights key moments of the Paschal Mystery and commemorates the life of our Blessed Mother and the lives of the saints and martyrs. The feasts and solemnities of the liturgical…
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Day 160: Jesus Warns the People (2025)
25:43
25:43
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25:43Fr. Mike guides us through Jesus' warning of persecution to the people of Israel as we near the end of Mark's Gospel. He also touches on how Jesus' behavior in the Garden of Gethsemane should serve as an example to us, and explains why Judas' betrayal was so heartbreaking. Today's readings are Mark 13-14 and Psalm 68.For the complete reading plan, …
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As we read about Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, Fr. Mike breaks down Jesus' interactions with his disciples and the Sadducees and his reaction to the widow's offering. We learn that a life rooted in Jesus is a life that bears good fruit. Today we read Mark 11-12 and Psalm 67. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Pleas…
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Day 159: When the Liturgy Is Celebrated (2025)
14:54
14:54
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14:54Together, with Fr. Mike, we examine the question of when the liturgy is celebrated. The Catechism states that there is a word that marks Christian prayer, and that word is “today.” Fr. Mike emphasizes that our liturgy and worship happens “today,” not in the past and not in the future, but right now in this present moment. Today’s readings are Catec…
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Day 158: The Reality of Sin (2025)
28:40
28:40
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28:40Fr. Mike highlights the reality of sin and our capacity to choose hell as we read about Jesus' teachings on temptations, divorce, and wealth. Jesus' teachings can be challenging, but following him is the path to true holiness. Today we read Mark 9-10 and Psalm 29. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: Th…
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Day 158: Holy Images in the Liturgy (2025)
12:07
12:07
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12:07We continue our examination of the different elements of the liturgy, specifically holy images in the liturgy. Fr. Mike highlights that because the Word was made visible in the flesh, Christians now can use images of Christ to pray. Liturgical art is a symbol that points to a greater reality than itself. It is meant to lift our hearts and minds to …
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Day 157: Following Jesus (2025)
28:43
28:43
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28:43Fr. Mike emphasizes that following Jesus as his disciples requires remarkable humility, faith, purity of heart, and courage. Today's readings are Mark 7-8 and Psalm 23. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is adv…
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Day 157: God’s Word and Sacred Music (2025)
16:09
16:09
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16:09Fr. Mike examines the words, actions, music, and singing involved in how we celebrate the Liturgy. He discusses how, at many Masses, there are signs that accompany the Word of God to emphasize the importance of the Word being proclaimed. He further explains that sacred music is a combination of music and words drawn chiefly from Sacred Scripture. W…
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Day 156: How the Liturgy Is Celebrated (2025)
17:13
17:13
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17:13We continue to examine the celebration of the liturgy and sacraments. In the context of how the liturgy is celebrated, Fr. Mike explains that we are both body and spirit, and so signs and symbols are the way in which we communicate with and understand the world around us. God communicates spiritual realities in the same way. The signs and symbols w…
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Day 156: Jesus Casts Out Demons (2025)
22:32
22:32
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22:32As we continue to read about Jesus' ministry, Fr. Mike focuses today on Jesus' power to cast out demons and reminds us that there is an ongoing spiritual battle for our souls. Today's readings are Mark 5-6 and Psalm 21. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be…
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Today we read about Jesus' teachings and miracles that confirm his identity as Lord. Fr. Mike emphasizes the divinity of Jesus revealed in his actions, and clarifies historical facts about his life. The readings are Mark 3-4 and Psalm 20. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult the…
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Day 155: Who Celebrates the Liturgy (2025)
18:13
18:13
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18:13Together, with Fr. Mike, we examine “who celebrates the liturgy.” Fr. Mike emphasizes that when we celebrate the sacraments, the whole Christ, not just the body on Earth, but also the body in Heaven, celebrates with us. The Church enables us to participate in the eternal liturgy through the sacraments, and our baptismal priesthood allows us to have…
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Day 154: The Baptism of Jesus (2025)
27:58
27:58
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27:58As we begin reading the Gospel of Mark, Fr. Mike points out several amazing details about the baptism of Jesus, as well as some important points about the healing of the paralytic. The readings are Mark 1-2 and Psalm 11. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not b…
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Day 154: Sacraments of Eternal Life (2025)
13:09
13:09
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13:09We’ve seen how the sacraments re-present what Christ worked for us in his Passion and death, but the Catechism also explains to us how the sacraments prefigure our eternal inheritance in heaven. Fr. Mike uses this “nugget day” as an opportunity to ensure we understand what the sacraments are and what they’re for. Today’s readings are Catechism para…
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Messianic Checkpoint: The Gospel of Mark (with Jeff Cavins) -2025
25:58
25:58
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25:58Welcome to the second Messianic Checkpoint! Jeff Cavins joins Fr. Mike to introduce the Gospel of Mark and discuss how this short Gospel helps us understand both the identity and mission of Jesus. 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 153: Sacraments Save (2025)
14:11
14:11
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14:11Jesus uses his sacraments to save his people. The Catechism proclaims that the sacraments are “efficacious”, the sacraments are “wrought…by the power of God” alone, and the sacraments are “necessary for salvation”. Fr. Mike doubles down on the reality that sacraments cause what they signify. They are not merely signs pointing to an already present …
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Day 153: The Decline of Solomon (2025)
23:44
23:44
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23:44Today, as we hear about Solomon's decline, Fr. Mike points out how the consequences of our decisions can have ramifications far beyond ourselves. The readings are 1 Kings 11, Ecclesiastes 10-12, and Psalm 9. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised. Support The Bible in a Ye…
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Day 152: Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi (2025)
16:42
16:42
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16:42The Catechism makes clear to us that evangelization and the sacraments go hand in hand. An ancient saying is highlighted, linking the two: lex orandi, lex credendi—or, the law of prayer is the law of faith. Fr. Mike illustrates this connection by showing us that, when you change the sign that points to an invisible reality, you risk changing where …
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Day 152: Being Forgotten (2025)
18:36
18:36
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18:36Fr. Mike reminds us that, eventually, the world will forget us. He encourages us to keep our eyes fixed on heaven, focusing on surrender and trust in God rather than control. Today's readings are 1 Kings 10, Ecclesiastes 8-9, and Psalm 8. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult the…
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Day 151: Wisdom and Folly (2025)
21:02
21:02
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21:02Fr. Mike delves deeper into the lessons Ecclesiastes teaches us today about living wisely by keeping the end in mind, enjoying the present moment, and not worrying too much about other people's opinions of us. Today's readings are 1 Kings 9, Ecclesiastes 6-7, and Psalm 7. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please …
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Day 151: The Seven Sacraments (2025)
14:37
14:37
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14:37The Catechism introduces the seven sacraments that Christ offers the Church: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. The Catechism highlights the fact that the sacraments are “by the Church” because the Church is “Christ’s action at work”, and they are “for the Church” because they “manif…
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Day 150: The Dedication of the Temple (2025)
29:12
29:12
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29:12Fr. Mike explains the details of Solomon's dedication of the Temple, and the power of God's presence dwelling in it. In Ecclesiastes, we continue to learn more nuggets of wisdom about friendship, prudence, and money. Today we read 1 Kings 8, Ecclesiastes 3-5, and Psalm 6. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please …
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At the heart of the Liturgy of the Eucharist is the epiclesis, when the priest begs the Holy Spirit to come and transform the bread and wine into the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ. The Catechism explains this mysterious reality, and Fr. Mike reiterates that the Mass is not a repetition of Christ’s once-and-for-all sacrifice, but a re-…
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Why We Keep Forgetting What We Believe as Catholics (Foundations of Faith Preview)
7:38
7:38
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7:38Why do we recite the Creed every Sunday? Fr. Mike Schmitz and Dr. Edward Sri break down the purpose of the Creed in the Mass and uncover the fact that it isn't just about what we believe in, but who we believe in. This video is a brief excerpt from Foundations of Faith: A Journey Through the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the ultimate way for yo…
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