Understanding Faith Through the Catechism in a Year Podcast with Father Mike Schmitz

Explaining Faith with Father Mike Schmitz's Podcast

Father Mike Schmitz's podcast, 'Catechism in a Year', offers a daily exploration of the Catholic faith through the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Sponsored by Ascension, this podcast aims to deepen understanding of God's revelations and how they shape our personal and communal faith.

Day 25 Insights

On day 25, Father Mike discusses paragraphs 176 to 184 of the catechism, focusing on what it means to truly believe in God. This session is particularly special as it marks 'Nugget Day', a day dedicated to summarizing key insights from recent discussions.

The Essence of Faith

Faith is described as more than just an intellectual agreement; it is a full personal adherence to God. This involves both an ascent of intellect and will. It’s not merely about accepting facts about God but engaging in a trust-based relationship with Him. Here are some critical points discussed:

• Faith as Trust: True faith goes beyond intellectual acceptance and involves profound trust in God who is truth itself and cannot deceive.
• Communal Aspect: While faith is personal, it is not private. It’s an ecclesial act where one’s faith is supported and nourished by the Church community.
• The Role of the Church: The Church plays a crucial role as it precedes, engenders, supports, and nourishes individual faith. Saint Cyprian's words that one cannot have God as father without having the church as mother underscores this point.
• Salvation through Faith: Echoing scriptural foundations, it’s affirmed that belief combined with baptism leads to salvation while disbelief leads to condemnation.
• Foretaste of Eternal Knowledge: Faith offers a glimpse of the divine knowledge we will fully enjoy in eternal life, aligning with Saint Thomas Aquinas's views on faith being a precursor to heavenly bliss.

Personal Reflections and Prayer

Father Mike emphasizes that believing involves embracing all teachings of the Church because they stem from divine revelation, not merely because they are logically convincing. He shares a powerful prayer asking for hearts that trust in God wholly and minds open to His teachings.

Challenges and Encouragements

Adhering fully to one’s faith can be challenging. Doubts may arise, but the communal journey of faith helps us address these uncertainties. Father Mike encourages listeners to view these challenges as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles.

Conclusion

The podcast doesn’t just aim at educating but seeks to transform lives by fostering a more profound adherence to God through understanding and trust. Each episode serves as a step towards comprehending our place within God’s family and our journey towards eternal life with Him.

In essence, 'Catechism in a Year' with Father Mike Schmitz provides invaluable insights that encourage both new learners and lifelong Catholics to reflect on their beliefs and deepen their relationship with God through guided catechesis.

Article created from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOmWHZ4J8Pw