Podcast Summary: The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Episode: Day 192: Unity in the Eucharist
Release Date: July 11, 2025
Duration: 15-20 minutes
Podcast Host: Ascension
Speaker: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Introduction
In Day 192 of Ascension’s "The Catechism in a Year" podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz delves into paragraphs 1396 to 1401 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, exploring the profound theme of "Unity in the Eucharist." Building upon the previous day's discussion on the fruits of Holy Communion, this episode further examines how the Eucharist fosters unity among Christians and addresses the complexities surrounding intercommunion with non-Catholic Christians.
Scriptural Foundations of Eucharistic Unity
Fr. Mike begins by emphasizing the Eucharist's role in uniting believers with Christ and each other. He references St. Paul to highlight the Biblical basis for this unity:
"The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the Body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread."
— St. Paul (Par. 1396, 00:07:45)
He further cites St. Augustine, underscoring the personal connection believers have with the Body of Christ through the Eucharist:
"If you are the Body and members of Christ, then it is your sacrament that is placed on the table of the Lord. It is your sacrament that you receive to that which you are. You respond, amen."
— St. Augustine (Par. 1396, 00:16:30)
These scriptural and theological insights lay the groundwork for understanding the Eucharist as the central element that binds the faithful into one mystical body.
Eucharist and Unity Among Christians
Fr. Mike articulates the Eucharist as a "sacrament of sacraments" and a "sign of unity," reflecting its pivotal role in maintaining the cohesion of the Church. He stresses that Holy Communion is meant to be a unifying force:
"The more painful the experience of the divisions in the Church which break the common participation in the table of the Lord, the more urgent are our prayers to the Lord that the time of complete unity among all who believe in him may return."
— Fr. Mike Schmitz (Par. 1396-1401, 00:20:15)
He highlights the inherent tension between the ideal of unity and the reality of denominational divisions, advocating for genuine unity rooted in shared belief rather than superficial harmony.
Intercommunion with Non-Catholic Christians
Addressing the sensitive topic of intercommunion, Fr. Mike explains the Catholic Church's stance on receiving Holy Communion alongside non-Catholic Christians:
-
Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches: These churches possess apostolic succession and valid sacraments, making their Eucharist valid. Therefore, intercommunion is encouraged under certain circumstances, promoting closer ties:
"There's a certain communion in sacris, and so in the Eucharist, given suitable circumstances and the approval of Church authority, is not merely possible, but is encouraged."
— Catechism (Par. 1400, 00:35:50) -
Reformed and Other Protestant Communities: Due to the lack of sacramental validity—particularly the absence of valid Holy Orders—the Eucharist in these communities does not possess the full reality of the sacrament as understood by the Catholic Church. Consequently, intercommunion is not permitted:
"Ecclesial communities derived from the Reformation and separated from the Catholic Church have not preserved the proper reality of the Eucharistic mystery in its fullness and especially because of the absence of the sacrament of Holy orders."
— Catechism (Par. 1399-1401, 00:36:20)
Fr. Mike underscores that while physical communion is restricted, the Church remains open to spiritual unity and recognizes sincere Christian communities.
Personal Anecdote: Journey Towards Unity
Fr. Mike shares a poignant personal story about a Lutheran family grappling with Eucharistic participation. A mother's deep longing for her son's ordination was tied to his ability to receive Communion. Through dialogue and education, Fr. Mike helped her understand the sacrament's significance, leading to her conversion:
"By loving her and revealing the truth of Jesus Christ and the truth of the Church and the truth of the Eucharist to her as she was willing to receive it, something changed. Where there was disunity, there became real unity, which is incredible."
— Fr. Mike Schmitz (00:30:50)
This narrative illustrates the transformative power of the Eucharist in fostering authentic unity based on shared belief.
The Eucharist as a Commitment to the Poor
Drawing from St. John Chrysostom, Fr. Mike highlights the Eucharist's call to social justice:
"The Eucharist commits us to the poor. To receive in truth the body and blood of Christ given up for us, we must recognize Christ in the poorest of His brethren."
— St. John Chrysostom (Par. 1396, 00:28:10)
He emphasizes that true participation in the Eucharist necessitates a commitment to mercy and service, reflecting Christ's love for the marginalized.
Eastern Churches and Sacramental Validity
Fr. Mike elaborates on the validity of sacraments in Eastern Churches, emphasizing their authentic participation in the Eucharistic mystery due to apostolic succession:
"The Eastern churches that are not in full communion with the Catholic Church celebrate the Eucharist with great love. These churches, although separated from us, yet possess true sacraments... whereby they are still joined to us in closest intimacy."
— Catechism (Par. 1399, 00:33:45)
He explains that this sacramental validity allows for intercommunion under specific circumstances, fostering deeper ecclesial relationships.
Conclusions and Call to Prayer
Fr. Mike concludes by reaffirming the Eucharist as the "sacrament of sacraments" and a "sign of unity," while acknowledging the challenges posed by denominational divisions. He calls listeners to transform their experiences of division into prayers for unity:
"If this day has been a challenge, if this has been difficult to you, please join me. Almost every Mass I offer, take a moment and pray for the unity of all Christians."
— Fr. Mike Schmitz (00:45:30)
He encourages active participation in prayer for the Church's unity, reflecting Christ's own prayer at the Last Supper:
"May they be one, as you and I are one."
— Jesus at the Last Supper (Referencing St. John, Par. 1401, 00:29:20)
Fr. Mike's heartfelt appeal underscores the communal responsibility to seek and work towards the Church's unity, inspired by the Eucharist.
Key Takeaways
- Eucharist as Unity: The Eucharist fundamentally unites believers with Christ and each other, forming a single mystical body.
- Intercommunion Nuances: Full communion is possible with Eastern Churches due to sacramental validity, but not with Protestant denominations lacking apostolic succession.
- Call to Action: Believers are urged to pray for unity and embody the Eucharistic commitment through acts of mercy and service.
- Personal Transformation: Genuine dialogue and understanding of the Eucharist can bridge denominational divides, fostering true unity.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
-
St. Paul on Eucharistic Participation:
"Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread."
— 00:07:45 -
St. Augustine on Responding to the Eucharist:
"If you are the Body and members of Christ, then it is your sacrament that is placed on the table of the Lord."
— 00:16:30 -
Fr. Mike on Praying for Unity:
"May they be one, as you and I are one."
— 00:45:30 -
St. John Chrysostom on Commitment to the Poor:
"The Eucharist commits us to the poor... we must recognize Christ in the poorest of His brethren."
— 00:28:10
Conclusion
Day 192 of "The Catechism in a Year" offers a profound exploration of the Eucharist's role in uniting the Church. Fr. Mike Schmitz skillfully intertwines theological insights, scriptural references, and personal anecdotes to elucidate how Holy Communion binds believers to Christ and to one another. He addresses the delicate issue of intercommunion with non-Catholic Christians, emphasizing the importance of shared belief for genuine unity. The episode culminates in a heartfelt call to prayer, inviting listeners to actively seek and contribute to the Church's unity through the transformative power of the Eucharist.
For more episodes and to follow along with your own Catechism reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy.