Overview of Bible in a Year — Day 84: "The Sun Stands Still" (Ascension / Father Mike Schmitz)
Father Mike Schmitz reads Joshua 10–11 and Psalm 128 (RSV-2CE), reflects on the famous “sun stands still” episode, and gives pastoral guidance on how to read violent conquest narratives alongside the Christian commitment to peace. He addresses tensions people feel between Scripture and science (Galileo/Copernicus), offers interpretive options for the miracle in Joshua, cites the Fatima “miracle of the sun” as a modern parallel, and reminds listeners that violence in Joshua is not God’s original plan but a consequence of human brokenness. The episode closes with prayer and encouragement to trust God’s ultimate plan for peace and unity.
Key passages read
- Joshua 10: Israel rescues Gibeon; the five Amorite kings defeated; “Sun, stand still…”
- Joshua 11: Northern kings defeated at the waters of Merom; Hazor burned; summary of Joshua’s conquests and the land having rest from war.
- Psalm 128: A Song of Ascents about the blessings of those who fear the Lord (happy home, prosperity, peace on Israel).
(Translation: Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition. Reading plan: Ascension’s Great Adventure Bible timeline.)
Major themes & takeaways
- Two interpretive options for Joshua 10:
- Literal miracle: God supernaturally intervened (comparable, in Fr. Mike’s telling, to the 1917 Fatima “miracle of the sun” where local observers reported extraordinary solar phenomena).
- Poetic/figurative reading: Biblical language may describe victory in phenomenological or poetic terms without implying a modern scientific claim about planetary motion.
- Faith and science:
- Fr. Mike emphasizes that “good faith and good science never contradict.” Conflict narratives (e.g., Galileo) often involve personalities and poor methods—truth pursued faithfully in both domains will align.
- Violence in Joshua:
- The conquest narratives are difficult; they reflect the consequence of a broken world, not God’s original intention for humanity.
- God’s primary plan is peace, unity, and restoration (reiterated by reference to Revelation’s vision of every nation united).
- Pastoral thrust:
- Hold tension: allow mystery (God can act miraculously) while reading Scripture responsibly and prayerfully.
- Pray for interior peace and for understanding when confronted with troubling biblical texts.
Notable quotes / insights
- “Good faith and good science never contradict.”
- “God’s original plan is not death, is not destruction, is not violence… It started out as peace on earth…and it ends with peace.”
- Uses the Fatima event as an example of a localized, undeniable experience that didn’t disrupt the whole cosmos yet was extraordinary for witnesses.
Practical actions & reflection questions
- Read Joshua 10–11 and Psalm 128 slowly; notice language, tone (historical vs. poetic), and how the psalm frames God’s blessing and peace.
- Reflect/pray about:
- How do you reconcile images of divine violence in Scripture with Jesus as the Prince of Peace?
- Where do you need interior peace today? Pray Psalm 128 or Fr. Mike’s prayer for peace.
- Consider the relationship between faith and science: seek truth in both domains; avoid zero-sum thinking.
- Pray for those affected by war and for the final “rest from war” promised in Scripture.
- Subscribe to the Bible in a Year podcast (Ascension) to continue the daily readings and reflections.
Context & logistics
- Host: Father Mike Schmitz (Ascension).
- Day 84 of a 365-day reading plan using the Great Adventure Bible timeline.
- Episode tone: pastoral teaching—aims to help listeners live through the lens of Scripture while confronting difficult passages.