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

Episode: Day 21 – Believing God (2026)

Date: January 21, 2026
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz | Ascension

Overview:

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz continues the journey through the Catechism of the Catholic Church, focusing on the nature of faith as both a gift from God (grace) and a human act. Drawing from paragraphs 150–155, he explores the relationship between faith, human freedom, and human reason, emphasizing that Christian faith is about personal adherence to God and full assent to His revealed truth, most profoundly in the person of Jesus Christ.

Key Discussion Points & Insights:

1. Faith as Personal Adherence to God

• (02:15–04:25) Fr. Mike introduces today's theme: faith is not just belief in an abstract idea, but a personal adherence to God—a commitment of one's whole self.

  • “Faith is first of all a personal adherence of man to God, which is such an incredible thing.” (Fr. Mike, 02:55)

• Faith is both:

  • A grace (a gift from God).
  • A free act on our part (requiring human cooperation).

2. Faith: A Gift and a Human Act

• (04:26–09:10) The Catechism explains that no one comes to true faith without God's initiative and help, but at the same time, each person must freely choose to respond.

  • “Faith is a gift of God, a supernatural virtue infused by Him.” (CCC, cited 05:16)
  • “Believing is possible only by grace and the interior helps of the Holy Spirit. But it is no less true that believing is an authentically human act.” (CCC, cited 06:52)

• Fr. Mike underscores how essential grace is in faith, but reaffirms that our response is not passive; it’s a personal yes to God.

3. Faith, Freedom, and Reason

• (09:11–13:15) Fr. Mike reflects on how faith enhances rather than negates human freedom and reason. He challenges the misconception that faith is blind or unreasonable.

  • “To trust in God and cleave to his truths, that is not contrary to human freedom. That's an expression of human freedom.” (Fr. Mike, 10:59)
  • “Freedom isn't the ability to do whatever I want. It's the power to do what I ought.” (Fr. Mike, 11:15)

• He draws an analogy to human relationships, like marriage, highlighting how trust and belief are fundamental, even though we can never know everything about another person.

4. Assent to the Whole Truth, Not Just Parts

• (13:16–16:52) Faith requires total trust in all that God has revealed. Fr. Mike warns against “cafeteria faith,” where one picks out what is agreeable and rejects the rest.

  • “If you believe what you like in the Gospels and reject what you don't, it is not the Gospels you believe in, it's yourself.” (attributed to St. Augustine, cited by Fr. Mike at 14:50)

• He reiterates, quoting the Catechism:

  • “It is right and just to entrust oneself wholly to God and to believe absolutely what he says.” (CCC, cited 15:30)

5. Faith in the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

• (04:40–05:10) True Christian faith is always faith in the Triune God. Fr. Mike explains the inseparability of belief in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:
  • “For a Christian, believing in God cannot be separated from believing in the One he sent, his beloved Son...and the Holy Spirit.” (Fr. Mike paraphrasing CCC, 04:45)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Nature of Faith:
  • “Faith is first of all a personal adherence of man to God...It is a free assent to the whole truth that God has revealed.” (Fr. Mike, 02:55–03:15)
• On Faith as Grace and Act:
  • “No one on their own can come to a place of deep and abiding trust or faith without God's help, which is remarkable.” (Fr. Mike, 06:20)
• On Freedom:
  • “Freedom isn't the ability to do whatever I want, it's the power to do what I ought.” (Fr. Mike, 11:15)
• On Selective Belief:
  • “If you believe what you like in the Gospels and reject what you don't, it is not the Gospels you believe in, it's yourself.” (St. Augustine, quoted by Fr. Mike, 14:50)
• On Trusting God Absolutely:
  • “It is right and just to entrust oneself wholly to God and to believe absolutely what he says.” (Catechism, cited 15:30)
• On Praying for Faith:
  • “If you struggle to believe absolutely what God says, then pray for the gift of faith...Wherever you are today, pray, pray into faith. Pray by faith and pray for faith.” (Fr. Mike, 16:10)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 00:00–02:14 — Episode introduction and recap of previous discussion on Abraham, Mary, and the obedience of faith.
• 02:15–04:25 — Today's focus: faith as personal adherence and a grace.
• 04:26–09:10 — Reading and reflections on paragraphs 150–155; faith as God’s gift and human act.
• 09:11–13:15 — Faith is not opposed to freedom or reason; analogy with marriage and human relationships.
• 13:16–16:52 — The necessity of assenting to the whole truth; warning about selective faith; call to prayer and closing.

Conclusion

Fr. Mike’s teaching in this episode deepens the understanding that faith is not just belief in God’s existence, but a wholehearted, personal adherence to Him. Faith comes from God as a gift, yet it also requires our active, free response. This faith is reasonable and expresses true freedom, demanding that we trust in all that God has revealed—not merely select what suits us.

If faith feels difficult, the call is to pray for the grace to trust, knowing that prayer itself is both an act of faith and a means to receive more faith. As the journey through the Catechism continues, Fr. Mike encourages listeners to grow in faith, trust, and understanding—one day at a time.

Host’s Prayerful Closing:
“If you struggle to believe absolutely what God says, then pray for the gift of faith…Pray by faith and pray for faith. I am praying for you. Please pray for me.” (Fr. Mike, 16:10–17:10)