The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
A day-by-day walk through the transformative beliefs and teachings of the Catholic Church.
We found 10 episodes of The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) with the tag “mercy”.
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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.
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Day 257: The Old Law (2024)
September 13th, 2024 | 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 247: The Weight of Sin (2024)
September 3rd, 2024 | 21 mins 47 secs
bullfighting, freedom, hell, love, mercy, reconciliation, sin
We can consider the variety of sins in light of their gravity or seriousness. In doing so, we see that some sins weaken charity while others destroy it. The first we call venial sins, the second mortal. Our very freedom makes possible this rejection of God. Yet, God’s mercy has no limits. God can and will forgive every sin of which we repent. Fr. Mike invites all listeners to seek this forgiveness and go to Confession. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1854-1864.
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Day 246: Mercy and the Mystery of Sin (2024)
September 2nd, 2024 | 24 mins 37 secs
conversion, forgiveness, love, mercy, reason, sin
Jesus reveals God’s offer of loving mercy to sinners. To accept this gift, we must identify and admit our failings. Recognizing our sins enables us to further cooperate in our redemption. Sin can be understood and categorized in several ways, but every sin wounds our nature and damages our relationships with God and neighbor. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1846-1853.
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Day 204: Summary of Sacrament of Reconciliation (2024)
July 22nd, 2024 | 12 mins 57 secs
confessing sins, forgiveness of sin, healing, mercy, penance, reconciliation, sacrament of confession
In today’s nugget day, Fr. Mike reviews the major themes of the sacrament of Reconciliation. Fr. Mike emphasizes the six spiritual effects of this sacrament and reminds us of the great gift of Confession because, as the Catechism states, “to the eyes of faith, no evil is graver than sin.” We conclude today’s article with humble gratitude for God’s unfathomable mercy. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1485-1498.
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Day 201: The Confessor’s Role (2024)
July 19th, 2024 | 16 mins 20 secs
confession, confessor, forgiveness of sins, mercy, minister of reconciliation, penance, priest, priesthood, reconciliation, sacramental seal
If God is the one who forgives our sins, why do we need priests as confessors? The Catechism teaches us today about the role of the priest as the minister of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We learn that priests ought to be "servants" of God's mercy rather than "masters" of God's mercy. Fr. Mike invites us to pray for all priests' hearts, encouraging gentle, loving, and truthful confessors. Lastly, Fr. Mike clarifies the purpose of excommunication and the sacramental seal. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 1461-1467.
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Day 200: The Confession of Sins (2024)
July 18th, 2024 | 23 mins 51 secs
absolution, confession of sins, forgiveness of sins, healing, mercy, penance, reconciliation, restitution, wounds
When we confess our sins, we’re not telling God something he doesn’t know; we’re giving God access to something he doesn’t have: permission to heal our wounds. Today we learn why the act of confessing our sins is an essential part of the sacrament of Reconciliation. Fr. Mike also clarifies the difference between absolution, penance, and satisfaction. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1455-1460.
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Day 86: God’s Plan of Salvation (2024)
March 26th, 2024 | 21 mins 22 secs
forgiveness, mercy, prayer, redemption, salvation, saved, sin
How can we have free will if the Scriptures foretell God’s plan of salvation? This is a great mystery and something we might struggle to understand. Fr. Mike explains what it means to say God’s plan of predestination includes God’s permissive will, each person’s free will, and human beings’ response to the Father’s grace. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 599-605.
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Day 295: The Wound of Abortion
October 22nd, 2023 | 16 mins 41 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.
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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.