Podcast Summary: "The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)" – Day 3: What We Believe (Part 1 Introduction with Jeff Cavins)

Introduction

In the third episode of The Catechism in a Year podcast, hosted by Ascension and featuring Father Mike Schmitz alongside guest Jeff Cavins, listeners embark deeper into understanding the foundations of the Catholic faith. This episode, released on January 3, 2025, focuses on the first pillar of the Catechism: The Creed – What We Believe. Father Mike and Jeff Cavins engage in a rich dialogue, unpacking the significance of the Creed, its role as the cornerstone of Catholic belief, and its practical application in the lives of believers.

Opening Prayer and Setting the Stage

The episode begins with Father Mike leading a heartfelt prayer inviting God’s presence into the discussion. He emphasizes the journey of discovering one's identity within God's family, setting a contemplative tone for the episode.

Father Mike Schmitz [00:31]: "We are adopting by baptism and made into your sons and your daughters... Help us to know you as our Father."

Introducing the Four Pillars of the Catechism

Father Mike introduces the Catechism's structure, highlighting its division into four pillars: What We Believe (The Creed), How We Worship, How We Live, and How We Pray. This color-coded approach, inspired by Ascension's Foundations of Faith, is designed to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of Catholic teachings.

Jeff Cavins [02:26]: "The Catechism presents our faith in four pillars... The Creed is the plan of God, the plan of sheer goodness in miniature."

Deep Dive into the Creed

Jeff Cavins elaborates on the first pillar, explaining that the Creed encapsulates the entirety of God’s plan for humanity, from Genesis to the Church. He likens the Catechism to a teaching tool that moves beyond mere knowledge, fostering a relationship with God through understanding His revelations.

Jeff Cavins [04:25]: "The Creed is this whole great big plan of sure goodness in miniature... God is sharing Himself with us so that we can share in His divine life."

Understanding Divine Revelation

The conversation transitions to the nature of divine revelation, where Jeff outlines the Catechism's explanation of how God reveals Himself through creation, human longing, reason, and ultimately through divine intervention. They draw an analogy to "The Truman Show" to illustrate the moment of divine revelation.

Jeff Cavins [08:43]: "That’s divine revelation. God is revealing Himself to us, not hiding."

Challenges in Engaging with the Catechism

Father Mike and Jeff discuss potential obstacles listeners might encounter when delving into the Catechism, such as encountering unfamiliar terms and complex theological concepts. They encourage patience and eagerness, likening the experience to an orchestra where the Holy Spirit directs the symphony of faith.

Jeff Cavins [11:12]: "People are going to read with you and listen to you, and they're going to come across words they've never heard before... Listen with the heart of a son, the heart of a daughter who wants to know more about Dad."

Faith: Beyond Believism

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the concept of faith as presented in the Catechism. Jeff differentiates between mere <i>believism</i> and the deeper, more relational understanding of faith (emunah in Hebrew and pistis in Greek). He emphasizes that faith involves both intellectual assent and personal entrusting of oneself to God.

Jeff Cavins [20:34]: "Faith is divided into two movements... Intellectual ascent and personal entrusting of yourself to that truth."

The Living Tradition and Apostolic Succession

Jeff highlights the importance of Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition, explaining that the Catechism serves as a bridge connecting believers to the teachings of the early Church Fathers through apostolic succession. This continuity ensures that the faith remains unaltered and faithfully transmitted through generations.

Jeff Cavins [16:04]: "We are not people of the book... We are people of the Word, specifically the living Word, Jesus."

Application: The Creed in Daily Life

Father Mike and Jeff discuss the practical implications of the Creed, distinguishing between its communal recitation during Mass and its personal significance. They share anecdotes illustrating how entrusting oneself to God, beyond merely acknowledging beliefs, transforms one's life.

Jeff Cavins [24:56]: "It's not a checklist to see if you're still in the camp. It's what we're entrusting our lives to."

Guidelines for Studying Scripture

Jeff outlines the Catechism’s guidelines for studying Scripture, emphasizing the importance of context, unity, and the analogy of faith. These principles help believers interpret the Bible accurately and in harmony with Church teachings.

Jeff Cavins [29:01]: "Be especially attentive to the content and unity of the whole Scripture... Read the scripture within the living tradition of the whole church."

The Role of Church Councils and Historical Continuity

The discussion touches on how Church councils have historically addressed heresies to clarify and define core beliefs, such as the divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ. Jeff underscores the Catechism's timeline feature, which maps out ecclesiastical writers and councils, showcasing the continuous development of Catholic doctrine.

Jeff Cavins [33:18]: "It's a visual of the continuity of the faith from the beginning all the way till now."

Final Reflections and Encouragement

As the episode concludes, Jeff offers encouragement to listeners embarking on this catechism journey. He stresses the Catechism’s foundational role in anchoring the other three pillars and urges listeners to approach their study with an open heart, ready to entrust themselves fully to God.

Jeff Cavins [44:07]: "Consider this first pillar as an anchor... Anchor for pillars two, three, and four."

Closing Prayer and Mutual Support

Father Mike wraps up the episode with a mutual prayer for perseverance and divine guidance, highlighting the importance of communal support and prayer for both the hosts and the listeners.

Father Mike Schmitz [46:05]: "Please pray for each other... God bless."

Key Takeaways

1. The Creed as Foundation: The Creed encapsulates the entirety of Catholic belief, serving as the cornerstone from which all other teachings spring.
2. Relationship Over Knowledge: The Catechism aims to foster a personal relationship with God, not just impart theological knowledge.
3. Faith as Trust: Authentic faith involves both intellectual acceptance and personal entrusting to God.
4. Living Tradition: Understanding the Catechism requires engaging with both Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition, maintained through apostolic succession.
5. Guided Study: The Catechism provides structured guidelines for studying Scripture, ensuring a coherent and unified understanding of the faith.
6. Historical Continuity: Church councils and ecclesiastical writings demonstrate the faithful transmission and clarification of core beliefs over centuries.
7. Transformative Journey: Engaging with the Catechism is portrayed as a transformative journey, deepening one’s relationship with God and enriching one’s spiritual life.

Conclusion

Day 3 of The Catechism in a Year podcast offers listeners a profound exploration of the Creed and its pivotal role in Catholic theology. Through insightful dialogue between Father Mike Schmitz and Jeff Cavins, the episode not only elucidates the Catechism’s structure and purpose but also inspires believers to engage deeply with their faith, fostering both understanding and personal transformation.