The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) Day 280: The People of the Covenant (2025)
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Oct 7, 2025 Fr. Mike reflects on the resilience of the Jewish people through stories of Esther and Nehemiah, highlighting their journey of faith. He discusses the significance of Purim and how customs evolve while retaining core meanings. The podcast emphasizes the importance of restraint in victory and connects historical struggles to contemporary faith. Fr. Mike urges listeners to trust in God's promises, reminding Christians of their connection to the covenant people. Through scripture and prayer, he encourages faith amidst uncertainty.
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Restoration Through Ordered Worship
- Nehemiah records the organized restoration of temple worship, music, and gatekeeping as acts of communal holiness.
- The community reestablishes systemic provisions for priests and Levites to sustain ongoing worship and service.
From Planned Destruction To Permanent Feast
- Esther shows a reversal: a day meant for Jewish destruction becomes a day of Jewish deliverance and celebration.
- Mordecai institutionalizes Purim so the memory of deliverance endures across generations and provinces.
Justice With Restraint
- The Jews defend themselves decisively yet refuse to plunder the slain, signaling a moral restraint in wartime justice.
- This restraint highlights a commitment to justice rather than opportunistic revenge in Esther's narrative.