Day 131: Hope for the Future (2026)

On Day 131 of The Bible in a Year podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz reflects on 2 Samuel 13, 1 Chronicles 17, and Psalm 35, focusing on the tragic story of Amnon’s rape of his sister Tamar and Absalom’s subsequent revenge. The episode unpacks the devastating consequences of sin, particularly sexual abuse and the failure of justice within David’s household. Fr. Mike emphasizes the emotional and spiritual trauma of Tamar, highlighting how she was not only violated but also discarded, her future destroyed in a culture where a woman’s worth was tied to her virginity. He offers profound pastoral care, declaring that no one is unlovable or disqualified from God’s love, even after profound abuse. The episode transitions to the covenant God makes with David in 1 Chronicles 17, where God promises to build a lasting dynasty through David’s lineage, pointing forward to Christ. Fr. Mike contrasts David’s spiritual high calling with his failure to act in justice when his daughter was violated, underscoring how anger without action leads to brokenness. He calls listeners to seek God’s wisdom in complex moral decisions and to pray for healing for the wounded, the lost, and the broken.