The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)

Day 302: War (2024)

October 28th, 2024  |  18 mins 17 secs

armed conflict, avoiding war, battle, church teaching on war, destruction of life, legitimate defense, military, national defense, soldiers, violence, war

The Church urges us to pray and work for peace to avoid the evils and injustices of war. Because we live in a broken world, the Church also offers guidance on approaching war. Fr. Mike breaks down just war theory and the criteria of legitimate defense by military force under principles of moral law. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2307-2317.

Day 301: Peace (2024)

October 27th, 2024  |  17 mins 54 secs

10 commandments, 5th commandment, anger, article 5, article five, charity, commandments, dignity, fifth commandment, hatred, high call, how we live, justice, kill, life in christ, love, love of neighbor, mortal sin, part 3, part three, peace, peacemakers, prince of peace, respect, revenge, st augustine, st thomas aquinas, ten commandments, vengeance

Peace is not simply an absence of war. Fr. Mike breaks down the Catechism’s teachings about peace as the "work of justice and the effect of charity.” We learn that to cultivate true peace, we must do more than avoid anger, hatred, and harm to our neighbor; we must actively work toward becoming agents of peace. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2302-2306.

Day 300: Science, Bodily Integrity, and the Dead (2024)

October 27th, 2024  |  24 mins 43 secs

10 commandments, 5th commandment, amputation, article 5, article five, autopsies, autopsy, bodily integrity, commandments, corporal work of mercy, cremation, death, dignity, experimentation, experiments, fifth commandment, hostage, how we live, kidnapping, life in christ, love of neighbor, mutilation, organ donation, organ transplant, part 3, part three, public health, respect, science, scientific research, sterilization, technology, ten commandments, terrorism, torture

The Catechism looks at matters relating to scientific research, bodily integrity, and the dead with the lens of the dignity of the human person. Fr. Mike helps us navigate the Catechism’s teachings by acknowledging science and technology as a good while emphasizing restrictions and conditions to ensure respect for the dignity of persons. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2292-2301.

Day 299: Respect for Health (2024)

October 25th, 2024  |  14 mins 24 secs

alcohol, commandments, drugs, fifth commandments, food, health, temperance, ten commandments, tobacco

Our health is a gift from God, and so we have a responsibility to care for it. Fr. Mike emphasizes the importance of caring for our health while also explaining that we cannot idolize our health and bodies as an absolute good. If we do idolize health, it can greatly distort the way we view the dignity of those around us. He also unpacks the virtue of temperance, defining it as, “doing the right thing, in the right way, at the right time.” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2288-2291.

Day 297: The Cross of Suicide (2024)

October 23rd, 2024  |  20 mins 39 secs

commandments, death, fifth commandment, salutary repentence, suicide, ten commandments

"The cross of suicide is a violation of the fifth commandment that, tragically, many of us have been impacted by in our world today. Fr. Mike explains that we are stewards of the life that God has entrusted to us, not owners. Our lives are precious gifts, and we have a responsibility to care for them. He also emphasizes that we should not lose hope for the eternal salvation of those who take their own lives. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2280-2283.

Listener discretion advised. This episode contains references to suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please contact someone you can trust and/or contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 (available 24 hours everyday). You are loved, you are beautiful, and you are absolutely irreplaceable."

Day 298: Respect for Others (2024)

October 23rd, 2024  |  20 mins 49 secs

commandments, dignity, fifth commandment, integrity, respect, scandal, ten commandments, virtue

We have seen how harming ourselves or others physically is a violation of the fifth commandment, but how can causing harm to another’s virtue or integrity violate this commandment? Fr. Mike unpacks what scandal is and exactly how it is a violation of the fifth commandment. He emphasizes the gravity of scandal when it comes from those who, by nature, teach, and how vital it is for all of us, but especially teachers, to avoid contributing to scandal. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2284-2287.

Day 296: The Sin of Euthanasia (2024)

October 22nd, 2024  |  21 mins 50 secs

commandments, dying, euthanasia, fifth commandment, handicapped, medical procedures, palliative care, sick, ten commandments

We continue our examination of the fifth commandment, taking a closer look at the sin of euthanasia. Fr. Mike emphasizes that whatever the motive, the action of ending a life in order to eliminate suffering is still a sin. He also emphasizes that palliative care, however, is an important and special form of charity and love. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2276-2279.

Day 295: The Wound of Abortion (2024)

October 21st, 2024  |  16 mins 37 secs

abortion, commandments, crisis pregnancy, excommunication, fifth commandment, forgiveness, mercy, ten commandments

Together, with Fr. Mike, we examine the wound of abortion. Fr. Mike emphasizes that all human life deserves protection, especially the unborn, but he also emphasizes the importance of God’s mercy. He explains that those who have procured an abortion are excommunicated, subject to the conditions established by Canon Law. However, the excommunication does not limit the scope of God’s mercy, but rather highlights the gravity of the sin. Fr. Mike concludes by highlighting that if abortion is a part of your story, you are encouraged to take the step towards confession and forgiveness, to be met with mercy and love and be welcomed home. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2270-2275.

Day 294: Homicide (2024)

October 20th, 2024  |  12 mins 11 secs

5th commandment, direct and intentional killing, eugenics, fifth commandment, fratricide, homicide, how we live, indirectly killing, infanticide, intentional homicide, life in christ, love of neighbor, manslaughter, murder, parricide, part 3, part three, the commandments, thou shalt not kill, unintentional killing, you shall not kill

Day 293: Legitimate Defense (2024)

October 19th, 2024  |  17 mins 9 secs

5th commandment, capital punishment, crime and punishment, criminal justice system, death penalty, fifth commandment, how we live, justice, legitimate defense, life in christ, love of neighbor, love our enemies, love your enemies, love your neighbor as yourself, part 3, part three, protect, punishment, right to life, self-defense, st thomas aquinas, the commandments, thou shalt not kill, you shall not kill

Is there ever a time where legitimate defense is justifiable? The Catechism answers this question and how it relates to honoring the dignity of the human person as we dive deeper into the fifth commandment. We learn about defense of ourselves and others, principles of crime and punishment, and capital punishment. Fr. Mike also explains the Church’s current teaching on the death penalty and why it has changed over time. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2263-2267.

Day 292: Respect for Human Life (2024)

October 18th, 2024  |  15 mins 1 sec

5th commandment, anger, article 5, article five, dignity, dignity of the human being, fifth commandment, forgiveness, hatred, how we live, human life is sacred, innocent, kill, life in christ, love of neighbor, love our enemies, love your enemies, love your neighbor as yourself, murder, part 3, part three, respect for human life, the commandments, the witness of sacred history, thou shalt not kill, vengeance, you shall not kill

We begin exploring the fifth commandment: “you shall not kill”. The Catechism reminds us that human life is sacred, and we must not take the life of another innocent human. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus takes this commandment even further as he calls us to avoid anger, hatred, and vengeance in addition to loving our enemies. By forgiving and extending to others the same love and mercy we are willing to extend to ourselves, we are respecting the dignity of that person. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2258-2262.

Day 291: The Political Community and the Church (2024)

October 17th, 2024  |  17 mins 23 secs

4th commandment, article 4, article four, dignity, fourth commandment, how we live, in brief, life in christ, love of neighbor, nugget, part 3, part three, political community, politics, respect, the commandments, totalitarian

We take a look at what the Catechism teaches about the Church in relation to political communities. Every institution has their own vision of what it means to be human, which shapes their policies. Because the Church knows the truth, that every person is made in the image and likeness of God, the Church must weigh in to ensure that the dignity of the human person is at the forefront of political decisions and policies. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2244-2257.

Day 290: The Duties of Citizens (2024)

October 16th, 2024  |  20 mins 48 secs

4th commandment, armed resistance, article 4, article four, authority, civil authorities, country, foreigner, fourth commandment, freedom, how we live, just war, justice, life in christ, love of neighbor, nation, part 3, part three, patriotism, political authorities, solidarity, st paul, the commandments, the duties of citizens, the duty of citizens, truth

As citizens of a nation, we have certain responsibilities in accordance with God’s Law. The Catechism provides parameters for contributing to society, welcoming the foreigner, refusing obedience, and resisting oppression. Fr. Mike helps us better understand our role as co-collaborators in society within the lens of our world today. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2238-2243.

Day 289: Family, Society, and the Kingdom (2024)

October 15th, 2024  |  16 mins 42 secs

citizens, discipleship, family, kingdom, loyalty, priorities, society

While family is important, the Catechism states, “The first vocation of the Christian is to follow Jesus.” This means that parents should support Christ's call for their children. Fr. Mike explains that when we deny Jesus or his teachings for the sake of our families, we are making an idol of the family. We also learn the duties of civil authorities. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2232-2237.

Day 288: The Duties of Parents (2024)

October 14th, 2024  |  28 mins 45 secs

education, evangelization, family, kids, parents, school

Being a parent is far more than just having kids. As the Catechism reminds us, the fruitfulness of married love extends to the moral and spiritual education of a couple’s children. Parents are the primary educators of their children, especially in the ways of virtue and prayer. Fr. Mike reminds us that it is also parents' privilege to evangelize their children. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2221-2231.

Day 287: The Gratitude of Children (2024)

October 13th, 2024  |  20 mins 52 secs

children, duties, gratitude, kids, parents, respect

Gratitude is the proper response of children toward their parents. Out of this gratitude comes respect. When we are children at home, this respect includes “true docility and obedience.” Fr. Mike emphasizes respect for parents doesn’t expire when we leave home as adults. Grown children are responsible for caring for and supporting their parents in their old age. As Fr. Mike stresses, this can be the simple but often overlooked phone call to mom or dad. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2214-2220.