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

Episode: Day 22 – Wrestling with Faith

Date: January 22, 2026
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Readings: Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 156–162

Episode Overview

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz explores the nature of faith as understood by the Catholic Church — its intertwining with understanding and reason, its relationship to science, the necessity and freedom associated with faith, and the importance of persevering in belief. The discussion challenges the notion of “blind faith,” highlights the compatibility of faith and reason, and emphasizes that real faith requires both freedom and a persevering trust in God, regardless of one’s doubts or difficult moments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Faith and Understanding

• Fr. Mike explains that faith is not simply a response to convincing evidence or natural reason, but a response to the authority and trustworthiness of God.
  • “We’re not simply believing in God—we’re believing God... We believe because we know that He is true.” (01:59)
• While evidence, miracles, and prophecies (referred to as “motives of credibility,” or motiva credibilitatis) support faith, they do not make faith a “blind impulse.”
  • Miracles of Christ and the saints, prophecies (especially those fulfilled by Jesus), and the Church’s ongoing fruitfulness reinforce faith’s credibility.
  • “So we trust in Him. Now going on—faith is certain. Why? Faith is certain because God can’t lie.” (13:52)

2. Certainty Amid Difficulties

• Faith is “more certain than all human knowledge” because it rests on God’s word.
• Quoting John Henry Cardinal Newman:
  • “10,000 difficulties do not make one doubt.” (09:19)
• Fr. Mike reassures listeners that struggling with Church teaching or experiencing challenges in understanding is not the same as doubting:
  • “If I’m having a difficulty, I’m having those questions, this challenge... that’s completely fine. We continue to seek understanding because 10,000 difficulties do not add up to one single doubt.” (10:22)

3. Faith Seeks Deeper Knowledge

• A living faith naturally desires to know God more deeply—“Faith seeks understanding.”
  • A deeper understanding calls forth greater faith and love.
  • Growth in understanding is a lifelong process, supported by prayer and relationship with God.
  • “We want to understand even more. We want to continue to feed on scripture, and we want to continue to get close to God.” (11:39)

4. Faith and Science: No Contradiction

• The episode stresses that there is no real discrepancy between faith and reason, or faith and science:
  • “There is this false dichotomy between faith and science, a false dichotomy between faith and reason. But reason cannot contradict reason. Truth cannot contradict truth. Science cannot contradict faith as long as it’s good science and good faith.” (12:20)
• Methodical research led by reason, as long as it remains within moral boundaries, can’t be in true conflict with faith, as both derive from God’s truth.

5. Freedom of Faith

• Genuine faith must be freely chosen—not coerced.
  • “The act of faith is of its very nature a free act. God calls men to serve him in spirit and in truth... they are bound to him in conscience, but not coerced.” (13:14)
• Jesus models this in the Gospels—He never forces conversion, but proposes and invites:
  • “Jesus bore witness to the truth, but refused to use force to impose it on those who spoke against it. His kingdom grows by the love with which Christ lifted up on the cross draws men to Himself.” (13:49)
• Quoting St. John Paul II:
  • “The Church never imposes. She merely proposes.” (13:39)

6. Necessity and Perseverance of Faith

• Faith in Jesus Christ and in the One who sent Him is necessary for salvation.
  • “Without faith it’s impossible to please God and to attain to the fellowship of his sons.” (14:30)
• One must “endure to the end,” nurturing faith through God’s word, prayer, works of charity, hope, and participation in the Church.
  • “We can lose this priceless gift… We have to pray for that final perseverance.” (15:07)
• Referencing St. Paul’s warning to Timothy about making a “shipwreck” of faith through rejecting a good conscience.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On the Reasonableness of Faith:
  • “God has given us proofs, right? He’s given us signs and wonders, and so we trust in Him.” (08:13)
• Faith Is Not Blind:
  • “We are never called to simple blind faith.” (08:07)
• Ten Thousand Difficulties:
  • “10,000 difficulties do not make one doubt.” (09:19)
• Seeking Deeper Understanding:
  • “I want to know more so that I can love more. I want to know more so I can love better.” (11:57)
• On the Non-Coercive Nature of Faith:
  • “His kingdom grows by the love with which Christ lifted up on the cross draws men to Himself.” (13:49)
• Perseverance:
  • “We have to pray for that final perseverance. Pray for the growth in faith and pray that one day every one of us will stand before the one in whom we believe and be met with that gaze of love.” (16:34)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | Key Content | |-----------|---------------------------|--------------------------------| | 01:59 | What Moves Us to Believe | Authority of God, not just reason | | 08:07 | Motives of Credibility | Miracles, prophecies, Church’s fruitfulness | | 09:19 | Newman’s Quote | "10,000 difficulties do not make one doubt" | | 10:22 | Difficulties vs. Doubt | Struggling ≠ doubting; faith perseveres | | 11:57 | Understanding Deepens Love| Desire for increased knowledge leads to love | | 12:20 | Faith and Science | No real conflict between faith and reason/science | | 13:14 | Freedom of Faith | Faith must be freely chosen, never coerced | | 13:39 | Church’s Proposal | “The Church never imposes. She merely proposes.” | | 13:49 | Christ’s Invitational Method | Kingdom grows by love, not force | | 14:30 | Necessity of Faith | Faith necessary for salvation | | 15:07 | Perseverance in Faith | Importance of final perseverance |

Overall Tone & Style

Fr. Mike maintains an encouraging, enthusiastic, and compassionate tone throughout. He honestly addresses doubts and difficulties, normalizing the challenges of faith, and consistently directs listeners back to the ultimate trustworthiness and love of God.

Summary for Non-Listeners

This episode delivers a thoughtful and pastoral explanation of Catholic teaching on faith. It corrects misunderstandings about “blind faith,” affirms the compatibility of faith and reason, and underscores the importance of freely chosen and persevering belief. Listeners are encouraged that difficulties are not the same as doubt and are given practical advice on nurturing and sustaining faith for the journey to eternal life.