Podcast Summary: The Catechism in a Year – BONUS: Why Scripture and Tradition? (with Jeff Cavins)

Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Guest: Jeff Cavins
Date: December 30, 2025

Overview: Main Theme and Purpose

This bonus, pre-launch episode of "The Catechism in a Year" podcast features Fr. Mike Schmitz and special guest Jeff Cavins. They explore why Catholics rely on both Scripture and Tradition as the foundation of the faith and detail how the upcoming podcast will journey through the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Together, they explain how reading the Catechism builds on understanding gained from "Bible in a Year," and they invite listeners to approach the Catechism not as an encyclopedia, but as an invitation into a deeper relationship with God and His Church.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Connecting Bible in a Year to Catechism in a Year

• Fr. Mike and Jeff reflect on the impact of "Bible in a Year" and how it prepared the hearts and minds of listeners for this next step.
  • Jeff Cavins: “The next step is the Catechism in a Year. Something that people probably never thought they would go through or never heard of.” [01:40]
• The Catechism is presented as a companion to Scripture that completes the fullness of God’s revelation.

2. The Foundations of Catholic Faith: Scripture, Tradition, and Magisterium

• Divine revelation is presented as a “three-legged stool”: Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the Magisterium (the teaching authority of the Church).
  • Jeff: "We're not people of the book, we're people of the Word, and specifically the Word, the living word, Jesus Christ." [03:29]
  • He explains the difference between small ‘t’ traditions (customs) and big ‘T’ Tradition (core teachings passed down from the Apostles).
  • The Catechism is described as a "gold mine" of Church teaching, uniting the past and present believers.

3. The Intertwining of Scripture and Tradition

• Jeff uses a Damascus steel knife analogy to show how Scripture and Tradition are forged together, becoming inseparable and stronger together.
  • Jeff: "It's actually one knife, but it's made out of two steels...I think that's the Bible, that's the sacred tradition that we read about in the catechism." [07:52]

4. How to Approach the Catechism

• Both caution against reading the Catechism as an encyclopedia, urging listeners to see it as an invitation into intimacy with God.
  • Jeff: "It's more than an encyclopedia or a dictionary. It is a roadmap to intimacy with God." [10:12]
  • The Catechism is laid out as a journey, not just a reference work.

5. Structure of the Catechism and the Four Pillars

• The Catechism is organized into four “pillars,” each with a practical focus:
  1. What we believe (The Creed)
  2. How we worship (The Sacraments)
  3. How we live (Christian morality)
  4. How we pray (The Lord’s Prayer and prayer life)
  • Jeff: "Those are the four pillars…that becomes a real foundation for you to live your life." [23:38]
• The color-coded approach (from Ascension’s edition) helps users understand which pillar they're engaged with and how the pillars interconnect.

6. The Catechism’s History and Its Role Today

• The modern Catechism arose from post-Vatican II efforts and was championed by Pope St. John Paul II, intended for the entire Church—not just clergy or theologians.
  • Jeff describes it as one of the greatest gifts to Catholics in the modern era [15:49].
  • The Catechism stands in continuity with Church history: previous summaries, Church councils, and evolving understanding.
• The Ascension Catechism fold-out timeline visualizes this living tradition.

7. Practical Guidance for Listeners Beginning this Journey

• Advice for new readers:
  • Treat it as a journey—don’t get discouraged by challenging terms or concepts.
  • Make notes and highlight key insights (using colored pencils or your own marking system).
  • Accept that not everything will be understood on the first reading; return and reflect as you grow.
  • Jeff: "Think journey, not encyclopedia. Think invitation, not I have to. And think of inheritance, not just knowledge." [30:39]
• The accompanying Insight Journal is recommended for jotting down thoughts and inspirations for personal growth and sharing.

8. Applicability Beyond Catholics

• The Catechism offers wisdom and depth for all Christians:
  • Jeff shares his story of discovering the Catechism while still a Protestant pastor: "That catechism was the fuel, literally, for my preaching for the next six months..." [34:09]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Unity of Revelation:
  • "It's not a one legged stool, it's a three legged stool. And so we're completing that sense of revelation for people with real certitude. It gives them a foundation to live on." – Jeff Cavins [03:48]
• On the Invitation of Catechism:
  • "The way we approach the catechism is not like an encyclopedia, but it's an invitation to a journey into intimacy with God." – Jeff [10:05]
• On Living the Faith:
  • "It's not to stop at the information. It's transformation." – Fr. Mike [14:41]
• On Approaching Difficult Sections:
  • "Don't be hard on yourself...This is a learning process, and we're gonna work through that." – Jeff [28:07]
• On Passing on the Faith:
  • "Think of inheritance, not just knowledge." – Jeff [30:39]
• On the Universality of the Catechism:
  • "Ignorance of the scriptures is ignorance of Christ." (Catechism para. 133, quoted by Jeff) [34:09]

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:57 – Jeff Cavins welcomed; connection to "Bible in a Year"
• 03:29 – Introduction of Scripture, Tradition, and Magisterium
• 07:52 – Damascus steel knife analogy: Scripture & Tradition’s unity
• 09:19 – How to approach the Catechism (not as an encyclopedia)
• 15:49 – Brief history of the modern Catechism and John Paul II’s vision
• 19:01 – Visualizing the Church’s tradition via the Catechism timeline
• 21:23 – Four pillars of the Catechism explained
• 28:05 – Practical advice for newcomers
• 34:09 – The Catechism’s value for non-Catholics

Tone and Language

The episode is warm, accessible, and enthusiastic, emphasizing encouragement and pastoral care. Both Fr. Mike and Jeff express excitement and humility, eager to accompany listeners on their faith journey without overwhelming them. Both frequently use analogies and personal stories to clarify points and connect with listeners.

Conclusion

This kickoff episode provides both a philosophical and practical foundation for the year-long journey through the Catechism. Fr. Mike and Jeff stress the depth and beauty of encountering both Scripture and Tradition as a foundation for living out the Catholic faith, and they repeatedly invite listeners—no matter their background or experience—to join in a transformative relationship with God as they follow along.

“God thirsts that you would thirst for him. And as you take that step, January 1st, hit play…and you, you start to engage yourself, God is saying, this is what I wanted. This is really what I wanted for you.” – Jeff Cavins [13:08]