Day 7: God's Covenant with Abram (2025)
Fr. Mike talks about the significance of God's covenant with Abram, and how it points to God's immense love for us. Today's readings are Genesis 14-15, Job 3-4, and Proverbs 1:8-19. 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.
Introduction to the Patriarchs (with Jeff Cavins) (2025)
Congratulations, you've completed the Early World period! As we journey into the Patriarchs period, Jeff Cavins joins Fr. Mike to set the scene. They discuss the themes of Genesis 12-50, how it differs from the first 11 chapters of Genesis, and how it slowly reveals God's plan to redeem mankind. 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.
Day 5: Tower of Babel (2025)
Today we read about the descendants of Noah, and the story of the Tower of Babel from Genesis 10-11, as well as Psalm 2. Fr. Mike reveals the errors of these characters, and how we also can fall into the same traps. 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.
Day 4: The Flood (2025)
Today, we read Genesis 7-9 and Psalm 1, and Fr. Mike reflects on the covenant God made with Noah and how the family of Noah became broken. Today's readings contain adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised. 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.
Day 3: Noah's Ark (2025)
Fr. Mike reads Genesis 5-6 and Psalm 136, and explains the significance of Noah's genealogy, why God chose to send a flood, and how we can imitate Noah's choice to follow God when no one else did. 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.
Day 2: The Fall of Adam and Eve (2025)
In today's readings of Genesis 3-4 and Psalm 104, Fr. Mike draws the connection between love and sacrifice in the story of Adam and Eve and explains the story of Cain and Abel. 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.
Day 1: In the Beginning (2025)
Welcome to Day 1 of The Bible in a Year! Today, we start our year-long journey by reading Genesis 1-2 and Psalm 19. Fr. Mike Schmitz breaks down these readings to discover what the story of creation means for God's plan in your life. 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.
Start Here: Introduction to the Early World (with Jeff Cavins) (2025)
Welcome to the official start of the Bible in a Year Podcast! We'll begin reading the Bible in the episode "Day 1: In the Beginning", but before we dig into scripture, Jeff Cavins joins Fr. Mike Schmitz to lay out the context for the Early World period (Genesis 1-11). They discuss the type of scripture we'll encounter (Hebrew poetry) and how that affects our understanding of the Word. This episode is not part of the 365 day reading plan, but is important to help understand the readings from this period. 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.
Day 366: A Special Leap Year Message
In this bonus leap year episode, Fr. Mike shares three profound excerpts from early saints—St. John Chrysostom, St. Jerome, and St. Vincent of Lérins—that highlight the importance of keeping God's Word close to our hearts. Fr. Mike invites us to take the next step in our faith journey by continuing to delve into Scripture and deepen our understanding of it. 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.
BONUS: How to Hear God's Voice in Scripture
As we get ready for the Bible in a Year journey, Fr. Mike shares five tips for reading the Bible that will help us to hear God's voice in Scripture. 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.
BONUS: Preparing for the Bible in a Year Journey
Are you getting ready to read the Bible in a year? Fr. Mike shares why it's worth following the Bible in a Year journey and how to prepare for this life-changing adventure. He explains how the reading plan works, how to build a listening habit, and how to persevere along the year when it gets tough. He reminds us that it is our "why" that ultimately shapes our "way" through the Bible. He also shares practical resources that can help us get the most out of the Bible in a Year journey. 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.
Day 364: Christ's Sacrifice Once for All (2024)
Fr. Mike dives into the fall of Babylon described in Revelation 18, pointing out how several images and expressions of this key chapter are taken from the judgmental oracles in the old testament, particularly those from the prophet Jeremiah. Fr. Mike also emphasizes the reality of God’s judgment, the resurrection of the dead, and how Christ’s sacrifice is presented to God in the heavenly sanctuary once and for all. Today we read Revelation 18-20, Hebrews 9-10, and Proverbs 31:26-29. 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.
BONUS: Bringing the Bible Back to Catholics (with Jeff Cavins)
Fr. Mike Schmitz is joined by renowned Catholic Bible expert Jeff Cavins to talk about The Great Adventure Bible Timeline, their personal experiences with the Bible, and what it means to live life through the lens of Scripture. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear.
Day 363: The New Covenant Priesthood (2024)
Fr. Mike draws a parallel between the symbols in the book of Revelation and the persecution by the Roman empire of the first Christians and encourages us to hold firm in our faith. Additionally, Fr. Mike reveals the beauty of the new covenant priesthood established by Jesus and explained in Hebrews. Today’s readings are Revelation 15-17, Hebrews 5-8, and Proverbs 31:23-25. 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.
Day 362: The Woman Clothed with the Sun (2024)
Fr. Mike continues to interpret the symbols within Revelation. He compares story of Our Lady of Guadalupe to the woman in Revelation. Fr. Mike provides context to the letter to the Hebrews, a letter that makes the case for Jesus, explaining who he is and the beauty of what he did for us. Today’s readings are Revelation 12-14, Hebrews 1-4, and Proverbs 31:16-18. 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.
Day 360: Heavenly Worship (2024)
Fr. Mike discusses the heavenly throne room seen in our reading from Revelation and our opportunity to be brought into this throne room during every Mass. He also focuses on our ability to glorify God and exalt him into eternity through the righteous deeds we perform on earth. Today’s readings are Revelation 4-7, Titus 1-3, and Proverbs 31:10-15. 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.
Day 359: John's Apocalypse (2024)
As we begin reading from Revelation, Fr. Mike makes us aware of the symbolism found throughout this apocalyptic book and highlights its goal of strengthening the Church through the worship that happens at Mass. He also encourages us to find strength in God when facing challenges, just as Paul did. Today’s readings are Revelation 1-3, 2 Timothy 3-4, and Proverbs 31:8-9. 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.
Day 358: From Rebellion to Faithfulness (2024)
Fr. Mike leads us through the book of Jude and discusses its main message of calling us to lives of faithfulness. He also contextualizes 2 Timothy by highlighting Paul’s imprisonment and his final message to rekindle the gift of God within us. Today’s readings are from Jude, 2 Timothy 1-2, and Proverbs 31:1-7. 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.
Day 357: Truth and Love (2024)
Fr. Mike emphasizes that Christian love isn't just about feelings—it's about living in God's truth by obeying his commandments. Fr. Mike also explains the context for St. Paul's words to St. Timothy about asceticism and caring for widows, and he ends today's reflection by encouraging us to keep fighting the good fight of faith. Today's readings are 2 John, 3 John; 1 Timothy 4-6; Proverbs 30:29-33. 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.
Day 356: God Is Love (2024)
Today Fr. Mike reminds us that God created us out of love, for love. Fr. Mike also points out where the Catholic Church draws her doctrine on the difference between mortal and venial sin, as well as what St. Paul means when he teaches that there is only "one mediator" between God and man. Today's readings are 1 John 4-5, 1 Timothy 1-3, and Proverbs 30: 24-28. 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.