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

Episode Archive

Episode Archive

622 episodes of The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) since the first episode, which aired on October 7th, 2022.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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    Day 255: Human Solidarity

    September 12th, 2023  |  16 mins 55 secs
    brotherhood, friendship, human solidarity, social charity, social justice, solidarity

    Together, with Fr. Mike, we reach the conclusion of the article on Social Justice. Fr. Mike emphasizes that although we have a right to private property, we also have a duty to meet the needs of those around us. Every human being has a right to what they need to thrive in this life. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1939-1948.

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    Day 254: Social Justice

    September 11th, 2023  |  22 mins 16 secs
    dignity, equality, human dignity, justice, love, love your neighbor as yourself, respect, social justice

    We begin to look at social justice as outlined by the Catechism by diving into two aspects: respect for the human person and equality and differences among men. The dignity of the human person is at stake without social justice. Fr. Mike highlights that since we are all made in the image and likeness of God, we are all equal in dignity and are to love everyone including our enemies. With that, we must recognize that we are not all the same and work towards fairer conditions for all. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1928-1938.

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    Day 253: Participation in Public Life

    September 10th, 2023  |  21 mins 51 secs
    citizens, common good, fraud, human dignity, in brief, institutions, justice, nugget day, obligation, participation, public life, responsibility, rights and responsibilities, social interchange, subterfuges, voluntary, volunteer

    The Catechism has shown us how the common good begins with the good of the individual. It further shows us that each individual can participate in the pursuit of the common good for all—and that this participation is not optional, but an obligation. Fr. Mike explains the nature of this obligation in quite simple terms: “see a need, fill a need.” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1913-1927.

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    Day 252: The Common Good

    September 9th, 2023  |  18 mins 16 secs
    basic needs, citizens, civil society, common good, defence, defense, fulfillment, globalization, human family, inalienable rights, interdependence, migrants, military, peace, political community, politics, refugees, right to privacy, security, social conditions, social nature, universal common good

    The Catechism sets up a pair of definitions for us that, at first glance, appear circular, but upon close examination, reveal profound interdependence: “The good of each individual is necessarily related to the common good, which in turn can be defined only in reference to the human person.” Fr. Mike uses a fascinating thought experiment to illustrate where the common good originates: you. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1905-1912.

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    Day 251: Authorities in Society

    September 8th, 2023  |  19 mins 15 secs
    abuse of power, anarchy, authority, common good, duty of obedience, governing authority, government, human community, obedience, obey, participation in social life, political regime, politics, rule of law, social authority, society, the state, unjust laws

    The Catechism shows us that, in order for any good in society to last and flourish, legitimate authority must be instituted and respected by all. Furthermore, it is our duty as those under authority to obey those invested with authority. Fr. Mike acknowledges that most of us resist authority, but he bolsters the Catechism’s claim that legitimate authority in society is good and necessary. “Anarchy doesn’t work.” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1897-1904.