Episode Summary: Day 122 - Christ’s Faithful

Podcast Title: The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Host/Author: Ascension
Episode: Day 122: Christ’s Faithful
Release Date: May 2, 2025

Introduction

In Day 122 of Ascension’s The Catechism in a Year podcast, hosted by Fr. Mike Schmitz, listeners delve into paragraphs 871 to 879 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. This episode, titled “Christ’s Faithful”, explores the composition and roles within the Church, emphasizing the unity and diversity of its members. Fr. Mike elucidates the structure of the Church, the equality of the faithful, and the sacramental nature of ecclesial ministry, providing profound insights into what it means to be part of God's family.

Structure of the Church: Hierarchy, Laity, and Consecrated Life

Fr. Mike begins by outlining the fundamental components of the Church: the hierarchy, the laity, and those in consecrated life. He explains that these three elements form the backbone of the Church’s structure and mission.

Fr. Mike: “[...] the hierarchy, the laity, and the consecrated life. Those are the first, basically three paragraphs here, 871 to 873.”
[00:20]

Hierarchical Constitution

The hierarchy refers to the ordained ministers of the Church, including bishops, priests, and deacons. Fr. Mike emphasizes the sacred structure established by Christ, highlighting that the hierarchy exists not merely as an organizational framework but as a divinely instituted order.

Fr. Mike: “...hierarchy simply meaning... sacred structure, or the structure that comes from the Lord God himself.”
[01:49]

Equality and Diversity among the Christian Faithful

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the equality and diversity within the Christian faithful. Fr. Mike refers to paragraphs 871 and 872, which assert that all Christians, by virtue of baptism, share in Christ's priestly, prophetic, and royal offices. This shared participation fosters a true equality in dignity while recognizing diverse roles and functions.

Fr. Mike: “...there exists among all the Christian faithful a true equality with regard to dignity and the activity whereby all cooperate in the building up of the Body of Christ in accord with each one's own condition and function.”
[05:35]

He draws parallels to St. Paul's teachings, emphasizing that while roles may differ, the dignity of each member remains equal.

Fr. Mike: “...like St. Paul's writing to the early church, this is... the eye cannot say to the foot, 'I don't need you,' we all need each other.”
[14:04]

The Sacramental Nature of Ecclesial Ministry

Delving deeper, Fr. Mike explores paragraphs 874 to 879, which address the sacramental nature of ecclesial ministry. He explains that this ministry exists to shepherd the people of God and expand the Church's mission, reflecting Christ’s own servant leadership.

Fr. Mike: “...ecclesial ministry is conferred by a special sacrament. Intrinsically linked to the sacramental nature of ecclesial ministry is its character as service.”
[08:38]

Characters of Ecclesial Ministry

Fr. Mike outlines three key characteristics of ecclesial ministry:

1. Service: Ministers act as servants, imitating Christ’s humility and dedication.

   Fr. Mike: “...those who have a certain ecclesial ministry, has a character of service that since Jesus became a slave for all... do that as a servant, as a slave in imitation essentially of the Lord God.”
   [02:45]

2. Collegiality: The hierarchy operates collectively, ensuring unity and shared responsibility.

   Fr. Mike: “...collegiality among what's called the presbyterate, like the priesthood united to the episcopate, that is the bishops.”
   [09:02]

3. Personal Character: Each minister acts personally, bearing individual responsibility and embodying Christ’s mission.

   Fr. Mike: “...there is that individuality. There's a personal character to Christ's call.”
   [09:49]

Roles of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons

The episode delves into the specific roles within the hierarchy. Fr. Mike explains how bishops, priests, and deacons function as emissaries of Christ, empowered to perform sacramental duties that transcend human capabilities.

Fr. Mike: “...bishops and priests received the mission and that faculty the sacred power to act in Persona Christi capitis.”
[08:16]

He emphasizes that these roles are not self-appointed but are granted authority by Christ to ensure the proper administration of sacraments and the guidance of the faithful.

Fr. Mike: “...the ministry in which Christ's emissaries do and give by God's grace what they cannot do and give by their own powers is called a sacrament by the Church's tradition.”
[07:55]

Call to Service and Personal Discernment

Fr. Mike concludes by encouraging listeners to discern their own callings within the Church's mission. Whether one is called to the priesthood, religious life, or lay ministry, the Catechism underscores the importance of responding to God's call with humility and dedication.

Fr. Mike: “...anyone, any of those people listening to this who are maybe even discerning a call to religious life, call to the priesthood, call to the diaconate, I just invite you keep praying about it.”
[17:58]

He highlights that every Christian is invited to participate in the Church's mission, each according to their unique vocation and gifts.

Fr. Mike: “...the Lord does. He continues to call all of us to belong to him and serve him as Christians.”
[18:20]

Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Day 122 of The Catechism in a Year offers a comprehensive exploration of the faithful's role within the Church. Fr. Mike Schmitz articulates the delicate balance between unity and diversity, emphasizing that while all members share in the Church's mission, they do so through distinct roles and functions. The episode invites listeners to appreciate the sacramental nature of ecclesial ministry and to consider their personal callings within the broader mission of the Catholic Church.

Key Highlights:

• Unity in Diversity: All Christians share equal dignity but have distinct roles that contribute to the Body of Christ.
• Sacramental Ministry: Ecclesial ministers act in the person of Christ, administering sacraments and guiding the faithful.
• Collegiality and Service: The hierarchy operates collegially, embodying service and collective responsibility.
• Personal Vocation: Each individual is called to discern their unique role in the Church’s mission.

Fr. Mike concludes with words of encouragement, celebrating listeners' commitment to understanding their faith and their place within the Church.

Fr. Mike: “You made it through this day. Congratulations. Please pray for me. I cannot wait to see you tomorrow. God bless.”
[20:21]

This episode serves as a profound reminder of the intricate and beautiful structure of the Catholic Church, encouraging believers to actively participate in its mission with faith and dedication.