Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
By Easter Almuena
Special to the Herald
“What is the next step?” is a phrase from the podcast “The Bible in a Year” popularized by Father Mike Schmitz of the Diocese of Duluth, Minnesota, during the pandemic. This whole series is based on a more relaxed approach authored by Jeff Cavins to understanding the salvation history through Scripture.
Flashback: I am starting “The Bible in a Year” in the early months of 2022, but life is becoming more complicated. My family needs me. I need to keep working. I’m also in the master’s program for my profession of two years. I’m older, and I can feel the weight of responsibility pulling me down sometimes, but the Eucharist and Scripture are helping me to get through. I have a meaningful Catholic journey. I am a devout Catholic who prays daily for at least an hour; I read the daily Scripture reading; I pray the Liturgy of the Hours with my husband. I think I’m good. My spiritual life is going well.
At the same time, I am hearing more and more about “The Bible in a Year” with Father Schmitz. I listen to it sporadically, as my schedule permits. Then one day out of nowhere, I stumble upon the passage within paragraphs of Scripture about Jesus getting up early when it is still dark to pray to the Father (Mark 1:35). That line starts to gnaw at my mind and heart. With the master’s degree I’m pursuing, how am I going to insert that in my life that is overwhelmingly filled with responsibilities? I don’t get a passing grade in the beginning of my first course, so here I am working so hard to get a passing grade. I don’t sleep for 20 hours one day just to finish some school requirements. I got an A, a 4.0 in the end, but I see myself crawling or half awake as I bury myself in books and assignments. How am I going to fit “The Bible in a Year” into my schedule?
But Jesus got up early when it was still dark to pray to the Father. Jesus is the primordial being, the one who sets the tone, the one who models for us all that is good. So, I slowly change my schedule. I get up at 4 a.m. to listen to “The Bible in a Year” by Father Schmitz. Slowly, I see myself amazed at how my body quickly and patiently adapts to the change of schedule. My days appear to be brighter. There is more life in me. I am happier. My output at work is increasingly favorable. I make reading Scripture my priority over reading textbooks. As a result, I get another 4.0 in my next course, and I didn’t have to stay awake for 20 hours straight to finish requirements. I am sleeping better actually. Sure, I never run out of responsibilities. Sure, I have more courses to take. Sure, I have problems and challenges that I seriously doubt will ever go away.
How do I make sense of all of this? Father Mike says that Scripture shapes our lives; it shapes our way of thinking. I am living it.
What is the next step this new year? Use the search engine to find “The Bible in a Year.” Don’t wait until your schedule opens a window of 20-25 minutes. Get up early like Jesus did, and pray through Scripture reading — making it a priority over daily life’s priorities.
Almuena is a behavioral therapist for kids with autism currently pursuing a master’s in applied behavior analysis. She holds a master’s degree in pastoral theology and a master’s certificate in industrial relations. She is the wife of Deacon Joe Almuena of the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace.
