Podcast Summary: The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) – Day 148: The Holy Spirit’s Work in the Liturgy

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
• Host/Author: Ascension
• Episode: Day 148: The Holy Spirit’s Work in the Liturgy (2025)
• Release Date: May 28, 2025
• Duration: Approximately 18 minutes

Introduction

In Day 148 of The Catechism in a Year podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz delves into paragraphs 1091 to 1098 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. This episode focuses on the pivotal role of the Holy Spirit in the liturgy, exploring how the Spirit acts within the Church’s sacramental life and its deep roots in both the Old and New Covenants.

“The Holy Spirit is the teacher of the faith of the people of God and artisan of God's masterpieces, the sacraments of the New Covenant.” (04:51)

Main Discussion Points

1. The Role of the Holy Spirit in the Liturgy

Fr. Mike begins by highlighting that the Holy Spirit collaborates with the Church in celebrating the sacraments, emphasizing that these sacred rites are not magical acts but require genuine human cooperation.

“The sacraments are not magic. They're the actions of God, they're the work of God on this earth, but they're not magic.” (03:18)

He explains that the Holy Spirit initiates our faith and enables us to respond through genuine cooperation, making the liturgy a collaborative effort between the Spirit and the faithful.

“When the Spirit encounters in us the responsive faith which he has aroused in us, he brings about genuine cooperation.” (05:51)

2. Sacraments as Divine Masterpieces

The sacraments are described as “God’s masterpieces” (paragraph 1091), intricately designed to facilitate our encounter with Christ and to unify the Church.

“We are reading paragraphs 1091 to 1098... the Holy Spirit is the teacher of faith and artisan of God's masterpieces.” (09:51)

3. Transformation Through the Holy Spirit

Fr. Mike emphasizes that the Holy Spirit transforms the mystery of Christ into reality within the liturgy, making it present and active.

“By his transforming power he makes the mystery of Christ present here and now.” (05:53)

This transformation requires the faithful to prepare their hearts through prayer and openness, allowing the Spirit to work within them.

4. Continuity Between Old and New Covenants

A significant portion of the episode explores how Christian liturgy fulfills and draws from Jewish liturgical traditions, illustrating the continuity between the Old and New Covenants.

“The flood in Noah's Ark prefigured salvation by baptism. Water from the rock was the figure of the spiritual gifts of Christ, and manna in the desert prefigured the Eucharist, the true bread from heaven.” (15:04)

Fr. Mike references the work of Dr. Brant Petrie, a biblical scholar who underscores the deep Jewish roots of Christian worship.

“Dr. Brant Petrie... has a whole series of books like the Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist or the Jewish Roots of the Liturgy.” (13:14)

5. Unity and Transcendence in the Church

The Holy Spirit unites the global Catholic community, transcending racial, cultural, and social divisions. This unity is a testament to the universal nature of the Church.

“The Spirit of communion unites the Church to the life and mission of Christ... The Holy Spirit gathers the children of God into the one Body of Christ.” (12:53)

Fr. Mike stresses that this unity requires active participation and openness to the Spirit's work, fostering a community that reflects the diversity and unity of the Body of Christ.

“We recognize that the Catholic Church is more central than any cultural division.” (17:03)

Key Insights

• Cooperation with the Holy Spirit: The sacraments require our active participation, where the Holy Spirit works within us to actualize the divine mysteries.

• Historical Continuity: Understanding the Jewish roots of Christian liturgy enhances our appreciation and comprehension of the sacraments.

• Transformative Power: Regular participation in the liturgy, empowered by the Holy Spirit, leads to continual personal and communal transformation.

• Universal Unity: The Church’s liturgy fosters a sense of universal brotherhood and sisterhood, transcending all human divisions through the Holy Spirit’s unifying work.

Notable Quotes

1. “The sacraments are not magic. They're the actions of God, they're the work of God on this earth, but they're not magic.” – Fr. Mike Schmitz (03:18)

2. “By his transforming power he makes the mystery of Christ present here and now.” – Fr. Mike Schmitz (05:53)

3. “The Spirit of communion unites the Church to the life and mission of Christ.” – Fr. Mike Schmitz (12:53)

4. “The Catholic Church is more central than any cultural division.” – Fr. Mike Schmitz (17:03)

Conclusion

In Day 148 of The Catechism in a Year, Fr. Mike Schmitz provides a profound exploration of the Holy Spirit’s indispensable role in the liturgy. By intertwining theological insights with scriptural and historical references, he elucidates how the Spirit not only initiates our faith but also transforms and sustains the communal worship of the Church. This episode reinforces the belief that the liturgy is a living encounter with Christ, made possible through the dynamic work of the Holy Spirit, ultimately uniting the faithful in their journey towards eternal communion with God.

“Every liturgical action, especially the celebration of the Eucharist and the sacraments, is an encounter between Christ and the Church.” (07:51)

Fr. Mike concludes with an encouraging reminder of the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit and invites listeners to continue their journey in understanding and participating in the sacred mysteries of the Catholic faith.

“I cannot wait to see you tomorrow. God bless.” (18:35)

Note: This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from Day 148 of The Catechism in a Year podcast, providing a comprehensive overview for those who have not listened to the episode. For a deeper understanding, listening to the full episode is recommended.