Podcast Summary: "Day 144: How We Worship (Part 2 Introduction with Bishop Andrew Cozzens)"
Podcast Information:
- Title: The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
- Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
- Guest: Bishop Andrew Cousins of the Diocese of Crookston, Minnesota
- Episode: Day 144: How We Worship (Part 2 Introduction with Bishop Andrew Cozzens)
- Release Date: May 24, 2025
Introduction to Pillar Two: Worship and Sacraments
In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz continues his journey through the Catechism of the Catholic Church by delving into the second pillar: Worship and Sacraments. This segment is particularly significant as it lays the foundation for understanding how Catholics engage in worship and the profound impact of the sacraments on their spiritual lives.
Welcoming the Guest: Bishop Andrew Cousins
Fr. Mike introduces his special guest, Bishop Andrew Cousins, who plays a pivotal role in the Eucharistic Revival movement.
[00:54] Bishop Andrew Cousins: "I post a little reflection, and other people put in their questions and comments, and once a month, we meet on Zoom to talk it through."
Bishop Cousins shares his initiative to engage Catholics in a deeper understanding and participation in the Catechism, fostering a community of over 230 members committed to this spiritual journey.
Eucharistic Revival and Its Importance
The Eucharistic Revival, chaired by Bishop Cousins, aims to rejuvenate belief, understanding, and practice of the Eucharist across the United States.
[02:57] Bishop Andrew Cousins: "It's a national three-year program that wants to affect every level of the Church."
Fr. Mike emphasizes the significance of this revival, recalling his personal transformative experience with the Eucharist.
Understanding Liturgy and Sacraments
The core discussion revolves around the liturgy as the public prayer of the Church and the sacraments as tangible signs of God's invisible realities.
[07:40] Bishop Andrew Cousins: "The liturgy is Jesus' own self-gift, his perfect worship. It's his prayer that he made to the Father."
Fr. Mike highlights how participating in sacraments transcends mere rituals, fostering a living relationship with Jesus.
Sacramental vs. Scientistic Worldview
Bishop Cousins contrasts the sacramental worldview with the prevalent scientistic worldview, which often reduces reality to what can be empirically observed.
[14:29] Bishop Andrew Cousins: "The word sacrament simply means a sign. A sacrament is something that we can physically, tangibly see, that makes present something that's invisible that we can't see."
He underscores that sacraments are not just symbols but actual channels through which God's presence is made real.
Biblical Understanding of Time and Memory
The discussion delves into the anamnesis—a Greek term for memory that involves making past events present in worship.
[23:03] Bishop Andrew Cousins: "The catechism calls this word anamnesis. It's the Greek word for memory."
Fr. Mike connects this to personal experiences, illustrating how the Mass transcends linear time to unite believers with the eternal.
Sacraments as Efficacious Signs
Bishop Cousins explains that sacraments are efficacious signs—they do what they signify, unlike ordinary signs.
[35:00] Bishop Andrew Cousins: "The sacraments are actually meant to help us at each of those moments in our life."
Fr. Mike elaborates on how each sacrament—such as Baptism, Eucharist, and Reconciliation—serves a distinct purpose in the believer's spiritual journey.
Personal Testimonies and Transformative Power
Both speakers share personal anecdotes illustrating the profound impact of sacraments.
[41:21] Bishop Andrew Cousins: "When I celebrated my first mass... I had no doubt I was genuflecting before the Lord of the universe."
Fr. Mike recounts a young man's return to the Church, emphasizing that sacramental experiences transcend emotional responses and effect genuine transformation through faith.
Overcoming Obstacles in Engaging with Sacraments
Addressing common challenges, Bishop Cousins advises believers to exercise faith to fully experience the transformative power of sacraments.
[37:40] Bishop Andrew Cousins: "One of the things you can do is exercise faith."
He emphasizes that the effectiveness of sacraments is closely tied to the individual's faith and disposition to be transformed.
Final Insights and Encouragement
As the episode concludes, Bishop Cousins offers encouragement to listeners embarking on the second pillar of the Catechism.
[44:50] Bishop Andrew Cousins: "Seek Jesus in the mysteries of the liturgy and the sacraments. You're going to find him there in a way that you've never found him or encountered him before."
Fr. Mike echoes this sentiment, reinforcing the idea that liturgy and sacraments are not mere obligations but profound encounters with the divine.
Key Takeaways:
- Liturgy as Divine Prayer: The liturgy is not just human prayer but the participation in Jesus' own worship.
- Sacraments as Real Encounters: Sacraments are more than symbols; they are actual means through which God's grace is dispensed.
- Faith as a Catalyst: The transformative power of sacraments is activated through genuine faith.
- Biblical Foundation: Understanding the sacramental worldview requires a biblical perspective on history and reality.
- Personal Transformation: Regular participation in sacraments leads to ongoing spiritual growth and deeper union with God.
Notable Quotes:
- Bishop Andrew Cousins [07:40]: "The liturgy is Jesus' own self-gift, his perfect worship."
- Bishop Andrew Cousins [14:29]: "A sacrament is something that we can physically, tangibly see, that makes present something that's invisible that we can't see."
- Bishop Andrew Cousins [23:03]: "The catechism calls this word anamnesis. It's the Greek word for memory."
- Bishop Andrew Cousins [35:00]: "The sacraments are actually meant to help us at each of those moments in our life."
- Bishop Andrew Cousins [37:40]: "One of the things you can do is exercise faith."
- Bishop Andrew Cousins [44:50]: "Seek Jesus in the mysteries of the liturgy and the sacraments. You're going to find him there in a way that you've never found him or encountered him before."
Conclusion
Day 144 of The Catechism in a Year serves as a profound exploration of Catholic worship and sacraments. Through the insightful dialogue between Fr. Mike Schmitz and Bishop Andrew Cousins, listeners gain a deeper appreciation for the sacramental life, understanding it as a vital pathway to encountering and being transformed by God. This episode not only elucidates theological concepts but also inspires believers to engage more fully with their faith through the sacraments.