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

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 281: Keep Holy the Lord’s Day (2024)

October 7th, 2024  |  20 mins 54 secs

10 commandments, 3rd commandment, article 3, article three, commandments, how we live, life in christ, love of god, outward, part 3, part three, public, regular, rest, st ignatius of antioch, st justin martyr, sunday, ten commandments, the lord’s day, the sabbath day, the seventh day, third commandment, visible, worship

We begin exploring the third commandment and learn about rest and worship concerning the Lord’s Day. The Catechism points out that God models what he wants for us as he also rested on the seventh day. Fr. Mike explains the importance of prioritizing rest for ourselves because we are free and no longer enslaved people. The Catechism describes how we are to keep the Lord’s Day holy with “outward, visible, public, and regular worship ‘as a sign of his universal beneficence to all.’” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2168-2176.

Day 280: The Christian Name (2024)

October 6th, 2024  |  16 mins 48 secs

10 commandments, 2nd commandment, article 2, article two, baptism, baptismal name, christian, christian name, commandments, how we live, in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit, life in christ, love of god, nugget, nuggets, part 3, part three, second commandment, sign of the cross, ten commandments, the lord’s name

What does it mean to bear the Christian name? The Catechism reminds us that in Baptism, we are given our Christian name, which is sacred. Our name represents the dignity of each of us and depicts how God loves us each uniquely. Fr. Mike explains that each time we make the Sign of the Cross, we call upon the Lord to bear witness to what we are about to do. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2156-2167.

Day 279: False Oaths (2024)

October 5th, 2024  |  16 mins 10 secs

commandments, false oaths, oaths, perjury, second commandment, ten commandments

Together, with Fr. Mike, we continue our examination of the second commandment. Fr. Mike emphasizes that an oath engages the Lord’s name, and the Lord is the Lord of truth. We, therefore, have a duty as Christians to respect God’s name in matters of truth. He also emphasizes that everything we say is either in conformity to truth or in opposition to truth. Today’s readings are paragraphs 2150-2155.

Day 278: The Second Commandment (2024)

October 4th, 2024  |  18 mins 57 secs

blasphemy, commandment, names, oaths, promises, second commandment, ten commandments

We begin our examination of the second commandment, to not take the Lord’s name in vain. Fr. Mike emphasizes that God has revealed his sacred name to us, and it is our duty to treat that name with reverence. He also emphasizes just how easy it is for us to take the Lord’s name in vain in our day and age, and how vitally important it is for us to treat his holy name with respect. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2142-2149.

Day 277: Agnosticism and Graven Images (2024)

October 3rd, 2024  |  15 mins 45 secs

agnosticism, commandments, first commandment, graven images, iconoclasm, icons, indifferentism, ten commandments

As we reach the conclusion of the section on the first commandment, we end by taking a closer look at agnosticism and graven images. Fr. Mike unpacks the different forms that agnosticism can take. He also examines the veneration of images and their relation to the first commandment. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2127-2141.

Day 276: Irreligion and Atheism (2024)

October 2nd, 2024  |  22 mins 40 secs

atheism, commandments, irreligion, practical materialism, sacrilege, simony, tempting god, ten commandments

We continue our examination of the first commandment, unpacking irreligion and atheism. Fr. Mike highlights the different elements of irreligion, namely tempting God in words or deeds, sacrilege, and simony. He emphasizes that the sin of tempting God is easy to fall into when we are deeply troubled or afraid. Fr. Mike also spends time unpacking the many different aspects of atheism, and its impact on our world today. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2118-2126.