Podcast Summary: The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)

Episode: Day 18: The Unity of the Testaments (2026)
Date: January 18, 2026
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Timestamps Referenced in MM:SS Format

Overview of Episode

This episode centers on the profound unity between the Old and New Testaments in the Catholic faith, as articulated in paragraphs 128–133 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Fr. Mike Schmitz explains how both testaments together reveal God’s plan for humanity and why understanding their relationship is crucial for Catholics. He also delves into the essential role of Sacred Scripture in the life of every believer and addresses misconceptions about the Church’s historical approach to the Bible.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Temptation to Divide the Testaments

• Many people mistakenly view the Old and New Testaments as entirely separate or see the Old Testament as obsolete after Jesus.
• The Church is clear: both Testaments are integral—each necessary for understanding the fullness of God's revelation.
  • Quote: “There are so many people who have this thought that because of the New Covenant... the Old Testament is defunct, is void, is useless, is purposeless, and the church really, really wants to do away with any of that temptation to think that way.” (01:50)

2. The Unity Revealed through Typology

• Fr. Mike introduces typology—how figures, events, and institutions in the Old Testament prefigure and are fulfilled in the New. Examples include:
  • King David as a type of Christ the King
  • The Ark of the Covenant as a type of Mary (the New Ark) because she bore Christ, the true Bread from Heaven, the Word, and the High Priest.
  • Typology is a "fun and inexhaustible" way to read Scripture, continually unveiling new connections deepening our understanding.
    • Quote: “Typology is that prefigurement, right? That the prefigurations of that in the Old Testament. Here's God revealing something that gets fulfilled in the New Testament.” (13:40)

3. The Value of the Old Testament in Its Own Right

• Even as elements in the Old Testament prefigure Christ, their own intrinsic value remains.
  • Reference to Paragraph 130: The calling of the Patriarchs, the Exodus, etc. do not lose value, even as intermediate stages—they remain vital to God's plan.
  • Quote: “It must not make us forget that the Old Testament retains its own intrinsic value as revelation reaffirmed by our Lord Himself.” (11:15)

4. Sacred Scripture in the Life of the Church

• Scripture as the Soul of Sacred Theology: The Catechism insists access to scripture should be "wide open" to all the faithful.

  • Fr. Mike dispels the myth that the Catholic Church has historically withheld the Bible from the laity.
    • If Bibles were sometimes locked, it was to protect from theft due to their immense cost, not to restrict reading.
    • Issues with translations were about faithful transmission, not opposition to Bible reading.
    • Quote: “Access to Sacred Scripture ought to be wide open to the Christian faithful. Absolutely. …We want to make sure this is an accurate translation.” (19:00)

• Scripture Shapes All Teaching:

  • The study of Sacred Scripture should be the “very soul” of all theology, catechesis, and preaching—not just something for "priests and theologians."
    • Quote: "All of our teaching, all of our preaching, all of our instruction, that all of it should be healthily nourished and thrives in holiness through the word of Scripture.” (20:00)

5. Encouragement for Personal Scripture Reading

• Frequent reading and knowledge of Scripture are exhorted for every believer as the way to know Christ.
  • Famous maxim of St. Jerome: “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.” (21:10)
  • Fr. Mike challenges the stereotype of Catholics not needing the Bible and highlights how this contradicts the core of faith.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the False Dichotomy of “Two Gods”:

  • “The common temptation is it seems like there's two different kinds of gods, like God of the Old Testament, the God of the New Testament. As Dwight Truth would say, false, that is not, that is not true.” (02:25)

• On the Role of Typology:

  • “The Ark of the Covenant... is fulfilled in the New Testament in Mary. Mary is referred to as the Ark, the Ark of the New Covenant... because in her was the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ.” (15:30)

• On Scripture’s Impact:

  • “We need to be nourished by the word of God. We need to be nourished by Scripture.” (23:00)

• St. Jerome’s Maxim:

  • “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.” (21:10)

• Fr. Mike’s Personal Reflection:

  • “I cannot convey enough how great it has been to be able to walk with you for the last 18 days... I just want to bring you in... as we're walking through the catechism in this year.” (25:00)

Important Timestamps

• 01:50 – Dispelling the misconception that the Old Testament is obsolete
• 10:40 – Explanation of typology and examples from both Testaments
• 11:15 – The persistent value of the Old Testament in God’s plan
• 19:00 – Church’s historical relationship with access to Scripture
• 20:00 – Scripture as the “very soul” of Catholic theology and life
• 21:10 – St. Jerome’s quote & the essential link between knowing Scripture and knowing Christ
• 25:00 – Fr. Mike’s closing reflection, gratitude, and encouragement

Summary Table

| Topic | Key Insights | Key Quotes/Timestamps | |-----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------| | Unity of the Testaments | Both are integral parts of God’s revelation; Old Testament not obsolete | 01:50, 02:25 | | Typology | Old Testament prefigures the New; examples of David and Mary/Ark | 10:40, 15:30 | | Value of Old Testament | Retains intrinsic value beyond prefiguring Christ | 11:15 | | Scripture in the Church | Access should be wide open; Church’s concern was for accurate translations, not restriction | 19:00 | | Scripture in Daily Life | Every Catholic is called to frequent reading and personal engagement | 20:00, 23:00 | | Ignorance of Scripture | “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.” | 21:10 | | Personal Connection | Fr. Mike’s gratitude and the challenge of the journey | 25:00 |

Tone and Language

Fr. Mike’s style in this episode is warm, conversational, and enthusiastic, punctuated with practical examples and occasional humor (“As Dwight Truth would say, false…”). He balances theological precision with approachability, stressing the applicability of doctrine to daily faith.

Conclusion

Fr. Mike Schmitz passionately insists that a deep relationship with Scripture—grounded in the unity of both Testaments—is foundational to Catholic identity and discipleship. The Church values both Testaments as essential and urges all the faithful to immerse themselves in God’s Word, echoing St. Jerome: “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.”

End of summary.