Overview of Day 155: Jesus is Lord (2026)
In this episode of Bible in a Year, Fr. Mike Schmitz reads and reflects on Mark 3–4 and Psalm 20, highlighting Jesus’ authority over the Sabbath, demons, nature, and even misunderstandings about his identity. The main thread running through the episode is who Jesus is: the Lord of the Sabbath, the Son of God, and the one whose word reveals the kingdom and restores creation.
Scripture Readings Covered
Mark 3
- Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath.
- Crowds gather to him from many regions, and unclean spirits recognize him as the Son of God.
- Jesus appoints the Twelve to be with him, preach, and cast out demons.
- Religious leaders accuse Jesus of being empowered by Beelzebul.
- Jesus warns about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
- Jesus redefines family: those who do the will of God are his mother, brother, and sister.
Mark 4
- Jesus teaches the Parable of the Sower and explains its meaning.
- He emphasizes hearing, receiving, and bearing fruit from the word.
- He compares the kingdom of God to a lamp and a mustard seed.
- Jesus calms a storm, rebukes the wind and sea, and leaves the disciples asking: “Who then is this?”
Psalm 20
- A prayer for victory and divine help in trouble.
- Trust is placed not in military strength but in the name of the Lord.
Key Teaching Points from Fr. Mike
Jesus and the Sabbath
- Fr. Mike emphasizes that Jesus healing on the Sabbath is not random or merely provocative.
- The point is that Jesus is revealing his lordship and showing the Sabbath’s true purpose:
- to bring people into communion with God,
- to restore what sin has damaged,
- and to signal the beginning of new creation.
The Silence of the Pharisees
- When Jesus asks whether it is lawful to do good or do harm on the Sabbath, the Pharisees remain silent.
- Fr. Mike notes how convicting this is:
- they do not lie,
- but they also do not speak the truth.
- This becomes a warning about the sin of refusing to say what is right when truth is required.
Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit
- Fr. Mike explains the Church’s teaching that the unforgivable sin is not a magical phrase or one specific utterance.
- Rather, it is refusing God’s mercy and forgiveness by deliberate, hardened rejection of repentance.
- The practical takeaway: bring every sin to Christ and let him forgive and heal.
“Brothers” of Jesus
- Fr. Mike addresses the references to Jesus’ “brothers” in Mark.
- He explains that the Greek word adelphoi can mean:
- brothers,
- relatives,
- cousins,
- or kinsmen.
- He connects this to the Church’s longstanding belief in Mary’s perpetual virginity and notes that the early Church did not interpret these passages as proof that Mary had other children.
Jesus Calms the Storm
- The disciples’ question—“Who then is this?”—captures the heart of Mark’s Gospel.
- Fr. Mike stresses that the Gospel’s central goal is to reveal Jesus’ identity:
- not merely a teacher or healer,
- but the Lord God, whose authority extends over nature itself.
Major Themes
- Jesus’ authority over sickness, demons, the Sabbath, the kingdom, and the sea
- Hardness of heart versus truthful response to God
- Receptivity to the Word as the key to fruitfulness
- Faith over fear, especially in moments of chaos and uncertainty
- Identity of Jesus as the focus of Mark’s narrative
Takeaways for Prayer and Reflection
- Ask whether you are hearing God’s word with good soil—ready to receive it and bear fruit.
- Reflect on places where you may remain silent instead of speaking truth.
- Consider whether you are treating Jesus as Lord in all areas of life, including the “Sabbath” moments that reveal his authority.
- Bring any sin, fear, or resistance to God’s mercy rather than withholding it.
- Pray for the grace to trust Jesus when life feels like a storm.
Closing Prayer Emphasis
The episode ends with gratitude for Jesus, for the Father’s revelation through him, and for the gift of Scripture that allows believers to encounter Christ’s heart and teaching. Fr. Mike invites listeners to continue the journey in faith, joy, hope, and love.