Day 269: The Day of Small Things (2026)
September 26, 2026
AI Summary
5 min read"Whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice." That line from Zechariah 4:10 is the quiet anchor of this episode. Father Mike Schmitz reads through Ezra 5–6, Zechariah 4–6, and Proverbs 20:8–11, and what emerges is a meditation on how God works through bureaucracy, record-keeping, and the slow accumulation of unglamorous faithfulness.
The Bureaucracy That Saved the Temple
Ezra 5 and 6 tell a story that hinges on paperwork. The rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem had been stalled by opposition. Then the prophets Haggai and Zechariah urge the people to resume work, and they do. Local Persian officials—Tattenai and his associates—arrive and demand to know who authorized this. The Jewish elders answer carefully: they are servants of the God of heaven, rebuilding what a great king of Israel built, and they have a decree from Cyrus of Persia to do it. They ask the officials to check the royal archives.
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What you'll learn
- 1 (00:00) **Podcast Introduction & Episode Overview** - Fr. Mike opens with a reflection on faith, introduces his book *Unshakable*, and sets up the day's readings.
- 2 (01:42) **Scripture Reading: Ezra 5-6** - The rebuilding of the temple resumes after a halt, spurred by the prophets Haggai and Zechariah.
- 3 (07:51) **Scripture Reading: Zechariah 4-6** - Zechariah's fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth visions, plus the crowning of Joshua the high priest.
- 4 (14:07) **Scripture Reading: Proverbs 20:8-11** - A brief passage on judgment, purity, and how actions reveal character.
- 5 (14:34) **Closing Prayer** - Fr. Mike leads a prayer of praise and thanksgiving.
- 6 (15:20) **Reflection on Proverbs 20:11** - Actions reveal the true heart of a person, including a child.
- 7 (16:25) **Reflection on Ezra 5-6: The Power of Bureaucracy** - The temple's completion hinged on finding an old royal decree in the archives.
+ Full timestamped outline available in the app
Guests on this episode
Show Notes
Fr. Mike encourages us not to be discouraged about the small things happening in our lives, because just as we see through Zechariah's visions, God takes small things and turns them into great triumphs. He also touches on the dedication of Israel to rebuild the temple, and the connection between the crowing of Joshua and the crowning of Christ the King. Today's readings are Ezra 5-6, Zechariah 4-6, and Proverbs 20:8-11.
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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