Podcast Summary: The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Episode: Day 19: Summary of Sacred Scripture (2026)
Date: January 19, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz (Ascension)
Episode Overview
This episode marks "Nugget Day," where Fr. Mike Schmitz wraps up the Catechism’s section on Divine Revelation by summarizing key teachings about Sacred Scripture (CCC paragraphs 134-141). The “in brief” format distills the essentials of Catholic teaching on the Bible and its place in the life of the Church. Fr. Mike emphasizes the unity and living nature of Scripture, its inspiration, the harmony of the Old and New Testaments, and the deep reverence Catholics hold for the Word of God, likening it to the Eucharist.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Unity of Scripture: One Book, One Person
- All Sacred Scripture, though comprising 73 books (46 Old Testament, 27 New Testament), is fundamentally one book with Christ at its center.
- Quote (02:40):
“All Sacred Scripture is but one book. And this one book is Christ. Because all divine Scripture speaks of Christ. And all divine Scripture is fulfilled in Christ.”
(Fr. Mike reading CCC 134–135)
2. Scripture as the Word—Not a “Religion of the Book”
- Christianity is not a religion of a book—but of the Word, which is a person (Jesus). The Scriptures are alive; they are not "a dead letter.”
- Quote (03:10):
“We're not a religion of the book. We're a religion of the Word. In that Word is a person. It's not a dead letter. It is a person—the Word of God who took on human flesh...”
(Fr. Mike)
3. Divine and Human Authorship—The Mystery of Inspiration
- God is the true author of Scripture, working through human authors without compromising the fullness of divine truth.
- There is no contradiction but a mysterious complementarity in this dual authorship.
- Quote (04:33):
“God is the author of Sacred Scripture because He inspired its human authors. He acts in them and by means of them... their writings teach without error his saving truth.”
(Fr. Mike citing CCC 136)
4. Interpreting Scripture: Exegesis Over Eisegesis
- Proper reading requires seeking what the human and divine authors intended, avoiding the urge to read one’s ideas into the text (“eisegesis”).
- Quote (09:07):
“We're tempted to do that thing called eisegesis, where we read our own stuff into the Scripture... Exegesis is taking that scripture and bringing it out of itself and applying it to ourselves. That is vastly different.”
(Fr. Mike)
5. The Canon of Scripture: 73 Inspired Books
- The Church venerates 46 Old Testament and 27 New Testament books as inspired.
- Fr. Mike issues a friendly “pop quiz” for listeners to remember these numbers, emphasizing the importance of knowing the content and structure of the Bible.
- Quote (10:02):
“I challenge all of us… to remember there are 46 books in the Old Testament and 27 books in the New. 73 total.”
(Fr. Mike)
6. Unity of the Testaments
- The Old and New Testaments have a unified purpose: The Old prepares for the New; the New fulfills the Old. Both are true Word of God.
- Quote (11:00):
“There is a unity of those two Testaments, and they proceed from the unity of God's plan and his revelation… Both are true word of God.”
(Fr. Mike referencing CCC 140)
7. Veneration of Scripture—Equal to the Eucharist
- The Church honors Scripture with the same reverence as it does the body of Christ in the Eucharist.
- Catholics should approach Scripture with awe, for both the Word and the Sacrament “nourish and govern the whole Christian life.”
- Quote (12:52):
“The Church has always venerated the Divine Scriptures as she venerated the body of the Lord. Both nourish and govern the whole Christian life.”
(Fr. Mike quoting CCC 141)
Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments
-
On God’s Entry Into History (02:05):
“Just as you have entered into time, just as you have entered into history, we ask you to enter into this moment in our time. We ask you to enter into this part of our story, in our own history, and do what you will and help us to do your will.”
(Fr. Mike’s opening prayer) -
Scripture as Personal Encounter (13:50):
“You could pick up your scripture, ... just allow the Lord to speak to you, allow him to reveal his heart to you. That's what he wants. And that's what I want for you, too.”
(Fr. Mike closing encouragement) -
Insight on Psalm 119 (13:30):
“One of my favorite lines in Psalm 119…‘Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.’ … This is amazing. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Gosh, it's so good.”
(Fr. Mike, sharing inspiration from Scripture)
Essential Timestamps
- 00:00–02:20: Introduction and context (“Nugget Day”; eight core “in brief” points)
- 02:40–04:33: Focus on Christ as the center of Scripture and the concept of the “Word”
- 04:33–06:00: Explanation of inspiration and divine/human authorship
- 09:00–10:30: Importance of exegesis and interpreting Scripture faithfully
- 10:30–11:30: The canon of Scripture—numbers and significance
- 11:30–12:10: The unity and interplay of Old and New Testaments
- 12:10–13:00: Venerating Scripture as deeply as the Eucharist
- 13:00–End: Personal reflections, Psalm 119, and encouragement to engage with Scripture
Takeaways for Listeners
- The entire Bible is unified in Christ; every book points to and is fulfilled in Him.
- Catholics are not bound to a “book” but encounter the living Word—Jesus—in Scripture.
- God is the ultimate author, working through inspired human writers, providing Scripture as inerrant in its saving truth.
- Interpreting Scripture requires humility and attentiveness to what God intends, not personal biases.
- Scripture is as worthy of veneration as the Holy Eucharist; both are food for the journey.
- Knowing the structure (46 Old + 27 New = 73 books) deepens understanding and confidence in faith discussions.
- Each day is an invitation to encounter God personally in His Word.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
Fr. Mike encourages listeners to embrace Scripture as living, nourishing, and integral to Catholic life—always revealing the heart of God to His people.