Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz: Episode Summary

Episode Title: Pillar and Foundation: Infallible Teacher
Release Date: June 7, 2025
Podcast Series: Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Duration: 20-30 minutes

1. Introduction and Gospel Reflection

Timestamp: 00:02

Fr. Mike Schmitz opens the homily with a heartfelt greeting, expressing his hope that the message will inspire and deepen listeners' hunger for Christ. He references the Gospel of John (20:19-23), highlighting Jesus' appearance to the disciples, His message of peace, and the impartation of the Holy Spirit. This sets the thematic foundation for discussing the Church's role and authority.

Notable Quote:
"On the evening of that first day of the week... Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, peace be with you." (00:02)

2. The Founding of the Catholic Church vs. Other World Religions

Timestamp: 04:30

Fr. Mike reminisces about his childhood memory of his mother's news clipping from "Dear Abby," which listed founders of various world religions. He emphasizes that the Catholic Church uniquely identifies Jesus Christ as its founder, distinguishing it from other religions founded by historical or philosophical figures like Confucius or Buddha.

Notable Quote:
"Virtually every other world religion is exactly that. It is a man-made religion. The only religion that can claim that it is the opposite of man-made, but actually God divinely instituted, is the Catholic Church." (07:15)

3. The Symbiotic Relationship Between the Bible and the Church

Timestamp: 10:45

Fr. Mike delves into the interplay between the Bible and the Church, asserting that Jesus founded the Church, not the Bible, and that the Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, gave us the Bible. He underscores the necessity of both, arguing that the Bible without the Church risks being misunderstood, while the Church without the Bible lacks the foundational word of God.

Notable Quote:
"Jesus didn't give us a Bible. Jesus gave us a church. And through the power and working of the Holy Spirit, the church gave us the Bible. And we need both." (12:30)

4. Addressing Challenges: Scandals and Trust in the Church

Timestamp: 16:20

Acknowledging the Church's imperfections, Fr. Mike discusses the impact of scandals on believers' trust, particularly referencing the decline in Mass attendance in Ireland due to abuse scandals. He courageously confronts these issues, clarifying that while individuals within the Church have faltered, the institution itself remains divinely guided toward holiness and truth.

Notable Quote:
"The church continued to be on the path towards holiness. The church continued to be on the path towards the truth. ... Yet here we are still called to trust the church." (18:50)

5. Early Church Structure and Authority

Timestamp: 23:10

Fr. Mike explores the organizational structure of the early Church, referencing Ignatius of Antioch's letters. He highlights the establishment of roles such as bishops, presbyters, and deacons as foundational to maintaining Church unity and authority. This historical perspective reinforces the argument that the Church has always been a tangible and authoritative entity.

Notable Quote:
"Ignatius of Antioch... he was saying that, okay, if you separate yourself from the bishop, separate yourself from priests, apart from the deacons, there is no church." (25:45)

6. The Church as the Infallible Interpreter of Scripture

Timestamp: 30:00

Building on the earlier discussion, Fr. Mike emphasizes that the Church serves as the infallible interpreter of the Bible, ensuring its teachings remain true to God's intention. He argues that without the Church's authoritative guidance, the infallibility of the Bible alone would be compromised, as individual interpretations could lead to misunderstandings.

Notable Quote:
"An infallible book without an infallible interpreter is a useless book. ... The great news is that... God did not leave us abandoned. ... he gave us the Church as the pillar and foundation of truth." (33:20)

7. Conclusion: Embracing the Church’s Dual Nature

Timestamp: 38:15

Fr. Mike concludes by reaffirming the Catholic Church's essential role as both holy and human. While acknowledging its messiness and the failures of its members, he urges believers to trust in the Holy Spirit's guidance within the Church. He echoes GK Chesterton's sentiment, preferring a Church that corrects over one that only praises, underscoring the Church's commitment to truth and ongoing sanctification.

Notable Quote:
"It is messy, but it's also holy. It is human, but it also has the promise of Jesus, the promise that he would lead it into all truth." (40:10)

Closing Thoughts

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz thoughtfully navigates the complexities of faith, emphasizing the indispensable role of the Catholic Church as the pillar and foundation of truth. He balances reverence for the Church's divine foundation with a candid acknowledgment of its human imperfections, ultimately encouraging listeners to trust in the Church's divinely guided mission to lead believers closer to Christ.

For more homilies and resources, subscribe to "Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz" on your preferred podcast platform or visit Ascension Press.