Summary of "Day 126: Prophetic and Kingly Offices" from The Catechism in a Year Podcast
The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) is a comprehensive podcast journey through the Catechism of the Catholic Church, guiding listeners to a deeper understanding of their faith. In Day 126: Prophetic and Kingly Offices, released on May 6, 2025, Fr. Mike Schmitz delves into the roles of the laity in fulfilling Christ’s prophetic and kingly offices, highlighting their vital contributions to the Church and the world.
Introduction
Fr. Mike Schmitz opens the episode by introducing the focus on paragraphs 904 to 913 of the Catechism, which explore the participation of the laity in Christ’s prophetic and kingly offices. He emphasizes the foundational Foundations of Faith approach used in Ascension's edition of the Catechism, encouraging listeners to engage actively with the material through a structured reading plan.
Notable Quote:
[00:00] Father Mike Schmitz: "In 365 days, we'll read through the Catechism of the Catholic Church, discovering our identity in God's family as we journey together toward our heavenly home."
Participation in Christ’s Prophetic Office
Fr. Schmitz explains that the prophetic office involves evangelization—proclaiming Jesus Christ through words and life testimony. He underscores that this mission is not limited to the hierarchy but extends to all baptized Christians.
Key Points:
- Evangelization: The laity are called to evangelize within their daily environments, making their faith visible in ordinary settings.
- Teaching and Collaboration: Laypeople trained in sacred sciences and communications can aid in catechetical formation and teaching.
- Voice in the Church: The laity have both the right and duty to express their opinions on matters affecting the Church, promoting the common good and moral integrity.
Notable Quotes:
[09:00] Father Mike Schmitz: "Lay people also fulfill their prophetic mission by evangelization, that is, the proclamation of Christ by word and the testimony of their lives."
[09:30] Fr. Schmitz: "To teach in order to lead others to faith is the task of every preacher and of each believer."
Participation in Christ’s Kingly Office
The kingly office involves leadership grounded in service and self-governance. Fr. Schmitz highlights that participation in this office requires overcoming personal sin and fostering justice in societal institutions.
Key Points:
- Royal Freedom: By following Christ’s example of obedience unto death, the laity attain royal freedom to overcome sin through self-abnegation and virtuous living.
- Self-Governance: Drawing from St. Ambrose, Fr. Schmitz explains that individuals exercise royal power over themselves, ensuring their actions align with Christian virtues.
- Influence on Society: The laity are called to transform societal institutions that may encourage sin, promoting justice and virtue in the broader culture.
- Collaboration with the Church: Laypeople are encouraged to cooperate with Church leadership through various ministries and councils, contributing to the growth and vitality of the ecclesial community.
Notable Quotes:
[15:45] Father Mike Schmitz: "He who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city."
[16:30] Fr. Schmitz: "Man is rightly called a king, who makes his own body an obedient subject and by governing himself with suitable rigor, refuses to let his passions breed rebellion in his soul."
The Role and Vocation of the Laity
Fr. Schmitz ties together the prophetic and kingly offices by illustrating the comprehensive vocation of the laity. He emphasizes that every baptized person is a witness and living instrument of the Church’s mission, empowered by the Holy Spirit to enact Christ’s will in both private and public spheres.
Key Points:
- Unified Mission: The laity’s participation in priestly, prophetic, and kingly offices forms a unified mission to bear witness to Christ.
- Christian Conscience: In all aspects of life, from ecclesial roles to secular professions, the laity must be guided by a Christian conscience, ensuring that their actions reflect God’s dominion.
- Balanced Engagement: There is a deliberate balance between rights and duties within the Church and broader society, fostering harmony and moral integrity.
Notable Quotes:
[25:10] Father Mike Schmitz: "Every person, through these gifts given to him, is at once the witness and the living instrument of the mission of the Church itself."
[27:00] Fr. Schmitz: "No human activity, even of the temporal order, can be withdrawn from God's dominion."
Key Insights and Reflections
Fr. Schmitz provides insightful reflections on the interconnectedness of the laity’s roles, drawing from theological figures like St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Ambrose. He highlights the enduring relevance of these teachings, encouraging listeners to embody their faith authentically in every facet of life.
Notable Quotes:
[30:00] Father Mike Schmitz: "The very next sentence highlights the way in which this is essential for those who are not ordained."
[34:20] Fr. Schmitz: "He will not let himself be imprisoned by sin or thrown headlong into wickedness."
Conclusion
Fr. Schmitz concludes by summarizing the essential role of the laity in fulfilling Christ’s prophetic and kingly offices. He reinforces the importance of integrating faith with daily actions and anticipates the next episode, which will explore the consecrated life.
Notable Quote:
[50:00] Father Mike Schmitz: "Every aspect of my life needs to be under His dominion. It needs to be guided by His truth, which is the truth."
Final Thoughts
Day 126 of The Catechism in a Year offers a profound exploration of the laity’s indispensable role in the Church’s mission. Fr. Mike Schmitz eloquently articulates how every baptized Christian is called to embody Christ’s prophetic and kingly offices, fostering a life of evangelization, self-governance, and societal transformation. This episode not only deepens listeners' understanding of their vocation but also inspires active participation in the ongoing mission of the Church.