logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2024
22m 57s

Day 343: God Uses Paul's Past (2024)

ASCENSION
About this episode

In Acts 22, Paul's testimony falls on hostile Roman ears, and he narrowly escapes scourging by way of his Roman citizenship. Reflecting on this incident, Fr. Mike reminds us that God uses Paul's past to further his ministry, and that God does the same with each of us, today. Commenting on today's readings from 2 Corinthians, Fr. Mike highlights that we are called to be cheerful givers and disciplined thinkers. He also points out that, as Paul reminds us, the most important ministry credential is to be called by God and equipped by his grace. Today's readings are Acts 22, 2 Corinthians 9-11, and Proverbs 29:5-7.

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 advised.

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

Up next
Today
Day 306: Wisdom Is Beautiful (2026)
Fr. Mike draws our attention to the descriptions of wisdom found in our readings for today and reflects on the beauty of wisdom’s feminine nature. He also discusses the death of Antiochus Epiphanes and offers two perspectives on reconciling God’s role in suffering. Today’s readin ... Show More
20m 7s
Yesterday
Day 305: The Defender (2026)
As we hear the re-telling of the story of Judas Maccabbeus and his brothers fighting for the honor of the Lord's Temple in 2 Maccabees, Fr. Mike points out how this version gives us an insight into their recognition of God's presence, mercy, and justice in their circumstances. We ... Show More
20m 37s
Oct 31
Day 304: Life Beyond Death (2026)
Fr. Mike focuses on the powerful theme that connects all of our readings today- the reality of life beyond death. In the story of the martyrdom of the seven brothers in 2 Macabees, we see how the brothers and their mother fiercely reject the temptation to violate God's law, and b ... Show More
23m 49s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2023
God's New Deal
<p>In his letter to the Romans, St. Paul explains that God’s people are held up as an example of sin, not so that sin is excused or justified, but as a cautionary tale, codified in the story of Scripture, an example to all peoples of how not to behave. The parallel teaching, also ... Show More
24m 54s
Apr 2025
The Conversion of Saint Paul
<p>Friends, we come to the Fifth Sunday of Lent, and I want to reflect today on our second reading from the Letter of Paul to the Philippians. It is a passage of both literary genius and spiritual power, one that uses the language of conversion—of letting go of the way I understo ... Show More
15m 23s
Oct 2025
How far Should We Go. (2 Cor 12: 11-18)
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we explore one of Paul’s most personal defenses of his ministry—and one of the clearest portraits of Christlike service in all of Scripture. Paul reminds the Corinthians that real ministry is not built on money, recognition, or reputation, but on ... Show More
29m 22s
Apr 2024
Day 100: God’s Word and Spirit (2024)
Together 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 i ... Show More
21m 30s
Aug 2025
EPISODE 199: When God Looks at the Heart - Episode 2 Of Our Study of Romans
In this episode of Bible Reading and Coffee Drinking, we continue our journey through Romans by diving into chapter 2. Paul challenges both Jews and Gentiles, reminding us that God’s judgment is impartial and based on the heart, not just outward actions or religious labels. This ... Show More
28m 49s
Dec 2009
2 Corinthians 1
Paul defends his integrity. 
3m 17s
May 2018
Acts E4: Saul & Subversive Christianity
<p>In part 1 (0- 14:00), Paul was a zealous Pharisee before he converted to following Jesus. Tim says this “zeal” that Paul showed as a Pharisee is a hyperlink to an Old Testament story in Numbers 25 where the priest Phineas exercised “zeal” to preserve the Jewish law. Jon commen ... Show More
1h 11m