The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Episode Archive
Episode Archive
579 episodes of The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) since the first episode, which aired on October 7th, 2022.
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Day 271: Love of God
September 28th, 2023 | 20 mins 5 secs
10 commandments, commandments, decalogue, deuteronomy, exodus, love of god, love of neighbor, love the lord your god with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind, love your neighbor as yourself, natural law, obligation, st augustine, st bonaventure, st irenaeus, ten commandments, ten words, the greatest commandment, traditional catechetical formula, unity
We continue our overview of the Ten Commandments by looking at the two parts: love of God and love of neighbor. Together they form a “coherent whole,” and there is a unity between the two. While the Catechism shows us our obligation to follow the Commandments, it also reminds us that, “What God commands, he makes possible by his grace.” Fr. Mike emphasizes that even though it may be challenging at times, we are not alone. Jesus is here to help us keep his Commandments. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2064-2082.
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Day 270: The Ten Commandments
September 27th, 2023 | 21 mins 14 secs
10 commandments, commandments, covenant, decalogue, deuteronomy, exodus, love of god, love the lord your god with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind, love your neighbor as yourself, section 2, section two, st irenaeus, ten commandments, ten words, the greatest commandment, theophany, traditional catechetical formula
God reveals himself and his glory through the Ten Commandments. We begin exploring the Ten Commandments as shown in the Catechism and learn about how these laws are not meant to limit us, but set us free from the slavery of sin. Fr. Mike reminds us that the Commandments are truly a gift from God and reflects his love for us. Today’s readings are the Ten Commandments and Catechism paragraphs 2052-2063.
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Day 269: Our Missionary Witness
September 26th, 2023 | 16 mins 8 secs
authentic, church, faithful, fidelity, gospel, morality, witness
The Church’s mission of evangelization depends on the faithful witness of her members. Christian goodness and fidelity authenticate the Gospel. As Fr. Mike relates, people are attracted to admirable but everyday Christian witnesses. Through such lives of quiet holiness, the Church is built up and brought to greater fullness. This episode closes with a few summary “nuggets” about the moral life in the Church. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2044-2051.
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Day 268: The Precepts of the Church
September 25th, 2023 | 21 mins 35 secs
church, conscience, generosity, law, morality, prayer
God has given the Church his law as “the way of life and truth.” We, therefore, have the right to be taught and guided while maintaining a spirit of docility in love. In this, Fr. Mike reminds us that the Church is our caring mother. Her care extends into the five precepts of the Church, those laws establishing the very minimum needed to remain an active member of the Body of Christ. These have to do with attending Mass, receiving the sacraments, fasting, and providing for the needs of the Church. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2037-2043.
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Day 267: The Church as Mother and Teacher
September 24th, 2023 | 18 mins 54 secs
church, consolation, morality, mother, natural law, teacher
“The moral life is spiritual worship,” says the Catechism. From the Church, we receive moral guidance, with the Magisterium safeguarding and passing down authentic Christian moral teaching through the generations. This teaching reminds us who we are and how we should be, though it may sometimes deeply challenge us. In its prophetic role, Fr. Mike tells us, “the Church must both console and convict.” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2030-2036.
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Day 266: The Gift of Grace
September 23rd, 2023 | 17 mins 10 secs
conversion, freedom, grace, heaven, love, perfection, salvation
In this summary of the Catechism’s teaching on holiness, justification, and merit, we briefly consider the work of God’s grace and mercy. His grace moves us from sin and toward him, making us his sons and daughters and bringing us into the very life of the Trinity. This gift of grace invites us to respond to his promptings and invitations freely. Finally, God offers “all the graces needed to attain eternal life.” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2017-2029.
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Day 265: The Call to Holiness
September 22nd, 2023 | 13 mins 26 secs
battle, heaven, holiness, holy, love, mystical, perfection
Each of us is called to holiness. As Fr. Mike puts it, we’re all called to the “heights of holiness.” No matter our station in life, we’re meant for ever greater union with Christ, devoting ourselves to the love of God and neighbor. The path of holiness also entails the Cross, self-denial, and the sacrifice that ultimately leads to peace. And as Fr. Mike reminds us, even if we stumble or fail, we know that we can, time after time, “begin again.” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2012-2016.
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Day 264: Man’s Merit
September 21st, 2023 | 15 mins 12 secs
charity, christ, good deeds, grace, merit, saint therese, saints
Knowing that our good actions begin and end in Christ, we recognize that man’s merit is due to God. Fr. Mike explains that charity in Christ is the source of all our merits. In this way, merit is pure grace, and we should look to the saints for examples of how to live this truth out. St. Thérèse of Lisieux puts it best when she prays to God: “In the evening of this life, I shall appear before you with empty hands.” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2006-2011.
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Day 263: Responding to Grace
September 20th, 2023 | 17 mins 34 secs
free will, grace, justification, responding to gods will, sacramental graces, salvation, supernatural grace
God’s free initiative demands man’s free response. We continue our discussion of grace today by examining how grace and our free will interact in our lives. Fr. Mike also explains the purpose of sacramental graces and how the expression of these graces looks different across the Body of Christ. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2002-2005.
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Day 262: Habitual and Actual Grace
September 19th, 2023 | 19 mins 38 secs
actual grace, deifying grace, grace, habitual grace, participation in god's life, sanctification, supernatural
Without God’s help, we can do nothing. The Catechism delves into grace today, explaining how grace works and helps us achieve our supernatural vocation to eternal life. Fr. Mike unpacks the difference between habitual and actual grace and reminds us that God is always the initiator of all our spiritual efforts. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1996-2001.
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Day 261: Justification
September 18th, 2023 | 19 mins
grace, holy spirit, justification, justified, righteous, righteousness, salvation, sanctification, sanctify, sin
What does it mean to be justified? The Catechism teaches us today about the grace of the Holy Spirit and its power to justify us. Fr. Mike explains how justification detaches us from sin and purifies our hearts. We learn that justification brings about a marvelous inward transformation that bears witness to God's great mercy. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1987-1995.
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Day 260: Summary of the Moral Law
September 17th, 2023 | 10 mins 45 secs
commandments, following moral laws, law, moral law, moral rules, morality, natural law, new law, obeying gods law, old law
In today’s “Nugget Day,” Fr. Mike reviews the significant takeaways that the Catechism teaches us about the moral law. Fr. Mike highlights that God has written the moral law in the depths of every human heart. Today’s In Brief section also reminds us that the moral law is a “fatherly instruction by God,” rooted in love and oriented towards our joy, freedom, and flourishing. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1975-1986.
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Day 259: The New Commandment
September 16th, 2023 | 18 mins 46 secs
golden rule, law of freedom, law of grace, law of love, new commandment
We continue our examination of the New Law or Law of the Gospel, specifically the Golden Rule and New Commandment of Jesus. Fr. Mike emphasizes that the New Commandment requires us to love God as the center of everything we are and everything we have. He also unpacks how the New Commandment is also known as the law of love, grace, and freedom. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1970-1974.
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Day 258: The New Law
September 15th, 2023 | 15 mins 50 secs
holy spirit, law, law of the gospel, new law, old law, sermon on the mount
Together, with Fr. Mike, we examine the New Law or the Law of the Gospel. Fr. Mike emphasizes that the New Law “fulfills, refines, surpasses, and leads the Old Law to its perfection.” He also explains how the New Law of Christ that is expressed through the Sermon on the Mount is perfected by the grace of the Holy Spirit and works through charity and the Sacraments. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1965-1969.
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Day 257: The Old Law
September 14th, 2023 | 12 mins 57 secs
justice, law, mercy, moral law, old covenant, old testament, revealed law
We continue the section on moral law, specifically focusing on the Old Law. Fr. Mike emphasizes that the Old Law is the first stage of Revealed Law. He also unpacks how the Old Law acts as preparation for the Gospel. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1961-1964.
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Day 256: The Natural Moral Law
September 13th, 2023 | 26 mins 16 secs
beatitude, evil, good, moral law, natural law, natural moral law
Together, we begin the section on moral law, starting with natural moral law. Fr. Mike begins by emphasizing that we need both the law that guides us and God’s grace that sustains us in order to live out our call to beatitude. He also unpacks how natural moral law is written in the soul of each and every man to help him discern between good and evil. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1949-1960.