AI Summary
5 min readThe Weight of What We Don't Do
On day 265 of reading through the Bible, Father Mike Schmitz walks through Matthew 25 and 26—two chapters that together form one of the most direct and uncomfortable teachings in the Gospels about what it actually means to be ready for Christ's return. The reading includes the parable of the wise and foolish maidens, the parable of the talents, the judgment of the nations, and the beginning of the Passion narrative. But the thread that holds all of this together is a question about preparation: not preparation in the sense of knowing the right answers, but preparation that shows up in what you actually do—or fail to do.
The Oil You Cannot Borrow
The parable of the wise and foolish maidens can sound unfair on first reading. The wise virgins refuse to share their oil with the foolish ones, and the door gets shut. Father Mike acknowledges the instinct to object: "My mom taught me to share." But parables are not universally applicable analogies—they have a single point. The point here is that certain things cannot be transferred from one person to another.
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What you'll learn
- 1 (00:00) **Introduction and the Central Thesis: Faith is not lost like keys** - Fr. Mike introduces the day's reading and the core idea that faith is either given away or allowed to decay through disuse.
- 2 (01:36) **Reading: Matthew 25 - The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Maidens** - The reading begins with the parable about being prepared for the bridegroom's return.
- 3 (03:22) **Reading: Matthew 25 - The Parable of the Talents** - The parable of the servants who are entrusted with their master's property while he is away.
- 4 (05:29) **Reading: Matthew 25 - The Judgment of the Nations** - The final judgment scene where the Son of Man separates the sheep from the goats.
- 5 (07:13) **Reading: Matthew 26 - The Conspiracy, Anointing, and Betrayal** - The narrative moves toward the Passion, beginning with the plot to kill Jesus and Judas's agreement to betray him.
- 6 (08:44) **Reading: Matthew 26 - The Last Supper and Peter's Denial Foretold** - Jesus institutes the Eucharist and predicts Peter's denial.
- 7 (10:59) **Reading: Matthew 26 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane and is Arrested** - Jesus prays in agony while the disciples sleep, then is betrayed by Judas and arrested.
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Guests on this episode
Show Notes
Fr. Mike explains sins of omission, and how these are some of the biggest deciding factors of who goes to heaven and who goes to hell: whether or not we did good works God called us to. He also reminds us that not all of the New Testament parables are universally relevant, recalling the parable of the talents and the parable of the wise and foolish maidens. Today's readings are Matthew 25-26 and Proverbs 19:21-24.
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.
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