The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) Day 279: Blessings and Burdens (2025)
10 snips
Oct 6, 2025 Fr. Mike dives into the rich themes of Nehemiah, highlighting those who returned to Jerusalem and what it means for identity. He explores Esther's dramatic rise and the turning tide against Haman, showcasing her clever solutions and the resulting festival of Purim. The discussion shifts to the ancestral gifts of tribes, reflecting on how family legacies shape our lives and choices. Sprinkled with wisdom from Proverbs, he contrasts fleeting pleasures with enduring treasures, offering a heartfelt prayer for healing and justice.
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Episode notes
Who Returned To Jerusalem
- Nehemiah 11 records that one in ten returned to live in Jerusalem while others stayed in ancestral towns.
- Fr. Mike notes the lists preserved family records and pedigrees crucial for temple roles and land possession.
Esther Secures Protection For Her People
- Esther receives Haman's house and places Mordecai over it, then pleads to revoke Haman's plot against the Jews.
- The king permits a new edict letting Jews defend themselves on the appointed day instead of nullifying the first decree.
Pleasure Undermines Lasting Wealth
- Proverbs warns that pursuit of pleasure and excess leads to ruin, while wisdom preserves treasure.
- Fr. Mike ties these proverbs to the larger theme of prudence versus folly in the readings.
