Today is New Year’s Eve and, for the first time in my life, I am finishing up reading the entire Bible.
If not for the Facebook post of my friend, Weena, last year, I would never have known that there was a Bible in a Year podcast hosted by Fr. Mike Schmitz. I think I was meant to see it right before the year turned 2022.
I always thought I never had the patience or perseverance to read the entire Bible. I once started but gave up very early in my readings. Frankly, there was no motivation for me and without anyone else guiding me, reading these historical accounts from cover to cover did not really connect. Still, I silently hoped that before I pass from this world, I would at least be able to do a proper Bible reading.
What’s great about the Bible in a Year podcast?
The format of the podcast is unique. Instead of just reading from Genesis to Revelation in its order in the Bible, Ascension Press’ Great Adventure Bible identifies 14 books that tell the story of Scripture from beginning to end. The remaining supplemental books are then contextualized between the storyline of the 14 books. (Note: Leave me a comment if you want to order the Great Adventure Bible from a local distributor)
The Bible is also divided into 12 time periods: Early World, Patriarchs, Egypt and Exodus, Desert Wanderings, Conquest and Judges, Royal Kingdom, Divided Kingdom, Exile, Return, Maccabean Revolt, The Church, and 4 Messianic Checkpoints. Each period is color-coded and the entire Bible’s pages are colored according to these periods.
Jeff Cavins (a Protestant pastor before converting to Catholicism) joins Fr. Mike before the start of each time period for an additional commentary.
Each podcast averages 25 minutes, with Fr. Mike starting each podcast with a prayer, then moves on to reading the chapters for the day and adding his commentary and reflection afterwards.
Bible in a Year Reading Plan
To make it easier for those joining the podcast, there is a FREE Reading Plan that can be downloaded from the Ascension Press website. It shows all the readings for 365 days and follows the color-coding format of the different time periods.
My personal experience
I have come to appreciate Salvation History so much more. I realize that one pass at reading the Bible is not enough. I am sure there are many important things I missed this first time. But I began to understand how, generation after generation, God’s people have swung back and forth between faithfulness and idolatry. And guess what! It continues to this day. We still have not learned from history!
I also had a deeper appreciation of how God’s Word has been so constant throughout time and His plan for our salvation, promised in the Old Testament, was fulfilled in the New Testament. Fr. Mike reminded us of St. Augustine’s words: ‘The New Testament lies hidden in the Old, and the Old becomes manifest in the New.’
Was I diligent? Not always. Life happened many times and I found myself skipping some days. It does not matter though, if that is your concern. While there are 365 episodes, don’t feel the pressure to finish it by Dec. 31. Instead of labeling each day as January 1, 2, 3, etc, the podcast is labeled as Day 1, 2, 3. That means you can start Day 1 any day of the year and finish Day 365 beyond Dec. 31. If you skip days, just resume where you left off. Persevere!
Where to find the Bible in a Year podcast (this list may not be complete)
These are the sites where I found the podcast:
YouTube – This platform is good for those who do not have a Bible app or the Ascension Bible because the text being read by Fr. Mike is also onscreen. You can follow along easily.
Apple Podcasts
Fireside (a podcasting platform)
Ascension has also set up a Facebook group for people who join the podcast.
If you feel called to try this podcast out, persevere for at least a month to develop a regular routine and habit. Once it becomes part of your daily life, the motivation to continue kicks in. Listen to this introduction from Fr. Mike.
For 2023, Ascension Press and Fr. Mike will be launching the Catechism in a Year podcast starting January 1, 2023 which I plan to join. I’ll do another blog post to describe what this podcast is all about.
Hope you find the Bible in a Year podcast worth your while in 2023. It was definitely a spiritual experience that has made me excited to know the Lord in an even deeper way. I plan to repeat this Bible reading again in 2024, after I finish the Catechism in a Year.