Summary of "Day 19: Summary of Sacred Scripture" from The Catechism in a Year Podcast (2025)
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Podcast: The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Release Date: January 19, 2025
Duration: Approximately 15-20 minutes
Introduction to Day 19: Nugget Day
Fr. Mike Schmitz welcomes listeners to Day 19 of The Catechism in a Year, a podcast dedicated to guiding individuals through the Catechism of the Catholic Church over 365 episodes. Day 19 is designated as a "Nugget Day," focusing on concise and impactful insights from the Catechism.
“It is the in brief day. And what do we know about the in brief day? In brief day is nugget day.” (00:04)
Overview of Today’s Reading: Paragraphs 134 to 141
Today’s episode covers paragraphs 134 to 141 of the Catechism, concluding Section One: Divine Revelation and setting the stage for upcoming discussions on faith as a response to divine revelation.
“That is the end of this section one, divine revelation. Still going because we have next, tomorrow... our response to divine revelation, which is faith.” (00:00)
The Unity and Purpose of Sacred Scripture
Fr. Mike emphasizes that all 73 books of Sacred Scripture, despite having multiple human authors, constitute a single divine book centered on Jesus Christ. He highlights that Scripture is not a mere collection of texts but a cohesive revelation of God's person.
“All scripture, even though there are 73 books, is one book, right? Because that book is Jesus.” (00:50)
He underscores the importance of understanding Scripture as the Word of God, asserting that it is a living word, not merely a historical document.
“We're a religion of the Word. That word is a person. It's not a dead letter.” (01:00)
Divine and Human Authorship: A Complementary Mystery
The podcast delves into the duality of divine and human authorship of Scripture. Fr. Mike explains that while human authors penned the texts, their writings are divinely inspired, ensuring the teachings are free from error regarding salvation.
“God is the author of Sacred Scripture because He inspired its human authors. He acts in them and by means of them.” (03:00)
He describes this relationship as a mystery where divine inspiration complements human effort, maintaining the integrity and truth of the Scriptures.
“That is a paradox that seems dissimilar, but it's actually not dissimilar. It seems to be a contradiction. It's actually not a contradiction.” (02:20)
Interpretation of Sacred Scripture
Fr. Mike highlights the necessity of proper interpretation of Scripture, emphasizing that understanding divine revelation requires attentiveness to both the original intent of the human authors and the overarching divine message.
“Interpretation of the inspired Scripture must be attentive above all to what God wants to reveal to the sacred authors for our salvation.” (04:30)
He warns against eisegesis—the insertion of personal biases into Scripture—and advocates for exegesis, which seeks to draw out and apply the intended message.
“Exegesis is taking that scripture and bringing it out of itself. Right.” (07:00)
The Canon of Sacred Scripture
A significant portion of the episode focuses on the canonical structure of the Bible, totaling 73 books: 46 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. Fr. Mike encourages listeners to memorize these numbers as foundational knowledge.
“There are 46 books in the Old Testament and 27 books in the New. That adds up to 73.” (09:15)
He issues a "pop quiz" challenge to the community to remember these figures, reinforcing the importance of familiarizing oneself with the entirety of Scripture.
The Unity of the Old and New Testaments
Fr. Mike discusses the interconnectedness of the Old and New Testaments, explaining that the Old prepares for the New, and the New fulfills the Old. He stresses that both Testaments are integral to understanding God's unified plan of revelation.
“The unity of the two Testaments proceeds from the unity of God's plan and his revelation.” (12:40)
He refutes tendencies to neglect or reject the Old Testament, affirming that both Testaments are equally true Word of God.
Veneration of Scripture and the Eucharist
Drawing a parallel between the veneration of Scripture and the Eucharist, Fr. Mike illustrates how both are essential for nourishing and governing Christian life. He likens the reverence given to the Body of Christ in the Eucharist to the respect and honor bestowed upon Sacred Scripture.
“The Church has always venerated the Divine Scriptures as she venerated the body of the Lord.” (14:00)
Inspirational Scripture: Psalm 119:105
Fr. Mike shares his personal connection to Psalm 119:105, highlighting its profound significance.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (16:30)
He relates this verse to modern expressions of faith, such as Amy Grant's song "Thy Word," emphasizing the timeless and guiding nature of Scripture.
Concluding Prayer and Final Thoughts
The episode concludes with a heartfelt prayer, thanking God for the revelation through Scripture and asking for divine assistance in aligning personal history with God’s will.
“Father in heaven, we thank you... help us to do your will.” (11:00)
Fr. Mike encourages listeners to continue engaging with Scripture, inviting them to remain connected through the podcast community.
“I cannot wait to see you tomorrow. God bless.” (18:45)
Key Takeaways
- Scripture as One Unified Book: All 73 books of the Bible collectively reveal Jesus Christ and God's plan for salvation.
- Divine Inspiration: While human authors wrote Scripture, it is divinely inspired, ensuring the truth and reliability of its teachings.
- Proper Interpretation: Emphasizing exegesis over eisegesis to faithfully understand and apply God's revelation.
- Canonical Knowledge: Familiarity with the structure and number of books in both Testaments is crucial for comprehensive biblical understanding.
- Unity of Testaments: The Old and New Testaments are deeply interconnected, each fulfilling and illuminating the other.
- Veneration of Scripture: Sacred Scripture deserves the same reverence as the Eucharist, serving as a vital nourishment for Christian life.
- Guiding Light of Scripture: Psalm 119:105 serves as a reminder of Scripture's role in guiding believers through their spiritual journey.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
-
On Scripture as Living Word:
“We're a religion of the Word. That word is a person. It's not a dead letter.” (01:00) -
On Divine Inspiration:
“God is the author of Sacred Scripture because He inspired its human authors.” (03:00) -
On Interpretation:
“Interpretation of the inspired Scripture must be attentive above all to what God wants to reveal to the sacred authors for our salvation.” (04:30) -
On Exegesis vs. Eisegesis:
“Exegesis is taking that scripture and bringing it out of itself. Right.” (07:00) -
On Veneration of Scripture:
“The Church has always venerated the Divine Scriptures as she venerated the body of the Lord.” (14:00) -
On Psalm 119:105:
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (16:30)
This summary encapsulates the essence of Day 19 of The Catechism in a Year podcast, providing listeners and readers with comprehensive insights into Sacred Scripture's role, interpretation, and veneration within the Catholic faith.