Day 152: Being Forgotten (2026)
The guest argues that the most profound wisdom in Ecclesiastes isn't despair, but a radical acceptance of life's impermanence — the certainty that we will be forgotten. Fr. Mike Schmitz reflects on the story of the unnamed poor wise man who saved a city yet was erased from history, using it as a mirror for our own mortality. He shares a personal moment with his spiritual director who bluntly told him, 'You're going to be forgotten really soon,' and how that painful truth became a gift. The episode reframes oblivion not as a tragedy, but as a liberation from the illusion of control, pointing to the deeper truth: if this life were all there was, it would be meaningless. But because it's not — because we are made in God's image and destined for eternity — our lives matter deeply, even if we’re forgotten. The call isn’t to leave a legacy, but to live with surrender, trust, and joy in the present.
You will be forgotten — and that’s not a tragedy, but a gift that frees you from the need to control your legacy.
The wise man who saved a city is unnamed, yet his wisdom still mattered — meaning isn’t tied to memory.
If life ends at death, it’s meaningless; but because it doesn’t, your life has eternal significance.
Success isn’t about being the fastest, strongest, or smartest — time and chance happen to all.
The invitation isn’t to achieve immortality through fame, but to trust God in the midst of uncertainty.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Introduction to Day 152: The Queen of Sheba and Solomon's Glory
Fr. Mike introduces the episode, setting the stage with the visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon, highlighting Solomon’s immense wealth, wisdom, and global influence. He previews the readings from 1 Kings 10, Ecclesiastes 8–9, and Psalm 8, and teases the upcoming shift to the Gospels.
Solomon’s Wealth and the Queen of Sheba’s Awe
The episode delves into the Queen of Sheba’s journey to Jerusalem, her test of Solomon’s wisdom, and her overwhelming amazement at his kingdom. Fr. Mike emphasizes the extravagance of Solomon’s riches and the symbolic weight of the visit as a moment of divine validation.
The Paradox of Wisdom: Ecclesiastes on Futility and Meaning
“If all there is, is this life, then this life is meaningless because it all ends in death.”
The Forgotten Man: Wisdom That Vanishes from Memory
“You're going to be forgotten really soon.”
Living with Surrender: The Gift of Being Forgotten
“The call in every one of our lives is to trust the Lord and surrender to him.”
“Again, I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong nor bread to the wise nor riches to the intelligent nor favor to the men of skill but time and chance happen to them all.”
“If all there is, well, that if all there is, is this life, then this life is meaningless because it all ends in death.”
“Ultimately, when it comes down to it, the call in every one of our lives is to trust the Lord and surrender to him.”
Host
King Solomon
person
Fr. Mike Schmitz
person
Queen of Sheba
person
Ascension
organization
Hiram
person
Spiritual Director
person
Great Adventure Bible
product
David
person
Revised Standard Version
book
Thomas Aquinas
person
Day 151: Wisdom and Folly (2026)
21m • 5/31/2026
Day 150: The Dedication of the Temple (2026)
29m • 5/30/2026
Day 153: The Decline of Solomon (2026)
23m • 6/2/2026
Day 154: The Baptism of Jesus (2026)
27m • 6/3/2026
Day 157: Following Jesus (2026)
28m • 6/6/2026
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