Summary of Podcast Episode: Day 220 – Marriage in the New Covenant

Podcast Information

• Title: The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
• Host/Author: Ascension
• Episode: Day 220: Marriage in the New Covenant
• Release Date: August 8, 2025
• Duration: 15-20 minutes

Introduction to Day 220 Fr. Mike Schmitz welcomes listeners to Day 220 of "The Catechism in a Year," focusing on paragraphs 1609-1617 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. He emphasizes the journey through the Catechism inspired by Ascension’s Foundations of Faith approach, designed to help listeners understand Catholic beliefs and their integration into daily life.

Marriage Under the Pedagogy of the Law Fr. Mike delves into how marriage is perceived and guided under the Old Covenant compared to the New Covenant. He explains that while God’s original design for marriage in Genesis Chapter 2 was harmonious and fruitful, the entrance of sin introduced complexities into marital relationships (paragraphs 1606-1608).

• Impact of the Fall:

  • Timestamp [00:05]: Fr. Mike states, "Marriage under the regime of sin...every relationship we encounter is affected by evil around and within us."
  • Consequences of Sin: He outlines that labor and childbearing pains are not merely punishments but remedies designed to help humanity overcome self-absorption and egoism, fostering mutual aid and self-giving in relationships.

• Old Covenant Practices:

  • Polygamy and Divorce: Fr. Mike discusses the presence of polygamy and divorce in the Old Testament, clarifying that these practices existed due to humanity's fallen state and hardness of heart.
  • Protective Laws: The Law of Moses aimed to protect wives from arbitrary domination, even though it still bore traces of human sinfulness.

Marriage in the Lord Transitioning to the New Covenant, Fr. Mike highlights how Jesus elevated marriage from a societal institution to a sacrament, signifying a deeper, unbreakable bond mirroring the relationship between Christ and the Church.

• Jesus’ Teachings:

  • Timestamp [14:30]: "Jesus unequivocally taught the original meaning of the union of man and woman as the Creator willed it."
  • Indissolubility: He emphasizes Jesus' clear stance against divorce, stating, "What therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder."

• Sacramental Nature of Marriage:

  • Timestamp [18:45]: Fr. Mike explains, "Christian marriage... becomes a true sacrament of the new covenant, signifying and communicating grace."
  • Grace and Cooperation: He underscores that the sacrament is not about imposing burdens but about restoring original intentions through Christ’s grace, enabling spouses to live out marriage's true meaning.

The Role of Sacrifice in Love A significant portion of the discussion centers on the concept that love inherently involves sacrifice, a reality that emerged post-Fall.

• Understanding Sacrifice:

  • Timestamp [10:15]: "Love from now on is going to involve sacrifice...Each sacrifice, even when willingly made, signifies a choice to prioritize the beloved over oneself."
  • Practical Examples: Fr. Mike uses relatable scenarios, such as choosing to spend time with a fiancé, to illustrate how everyday decisions involve sacrifices.

• Educational Analogy – Plus One Theory:

  • Timestamp [12:50]: He introduces the "Plus One Theory of Education" to explain God’s pedagogical approach in gradually teaching humanity about the sanctity and exclusivity of marriage.
  • Gradual Revelation: This method allowed people accustomed to practices like polygamy to slowly understand and embrace monogamous, faithful unions as initially intended.

The Indissolubility of Marriage Fr. Mike elaborates on the indissoluble nature of marriage, as taught by Jesus, contrasting it with previous allowances for divorce under the Law of Moses.

• Jesus’ Clarification:

  • Timestamp [16:00]: "Jesus makes it abundantly clear with no compromise...your relationship cannot be dissolved."
  • Disciples’ Reaction: He recalls how Jesus' teachings initially perplexed the disciples, leading them to question the feasibility of adhering to such a strict covenant.

• Strength through Christ:

  • Timestamp [17:20]: Fr. Mike reassures listeners that Jesus did not impose an unmanageable demand but provided the necessary grace and strength to uphold the sanctity of marriage.
  • Cooperation with Grace: He emphasizes that living out an indissoluble marriage requires active participation in God’s grace, renouncing self-centeredness, and embracing a life of mutual sacrifice and love.

Grace and Cooperation with God’s Plan The podcast highlights the essential role of divine grace in enabling spouses to fulfill the high calling of maintaining a lifelong, sacramental marriage.

• Transformation through Grace:

  • Timestamp [21:10]: "Jesus gives the strength and grace to live marriage in the new dimension of the reign of God."
  • Practical Faith Application: Fr. Mike encourages listeners to cooperate with this grace by following Christ, renouncing selfish desires, and taking up their crosses to love unconditionally.

• Personal Encouragement:

  • Timestamp [23:40]: He addresses those struggling in their marriages, assuring them that "your story isn't over yet" and that God's love and grace are available to guide them through challenges.

Conclusion and Prayer Fr. Mike concludes with a heartfelt prayer, asking God to help listeners see His plan for marriage and relationships, both in Scripture and in their personal lives. He reaffirms the importance of community, prayer, and mutual support within the family of God.

• Final Thoughts:
  • Timestamp [26:50]: "You're part of this family. You matter. And because of that, I know it doesn't fix everything, but it does matter."

Fr. Mike closes by expressing his prayers for the listeners and anticipates discussing virginity for the sake of the kingdom in the next episode.

Notable Quotes

• On Sacrifice in Love:

  "Love always involves sacrifice... even if it's a sacrifice you're happy to make, it's still a sacrifice."
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz [10:15]

• On Indissolubility:

  "What therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder."
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz [16:00]

• On Grace and Marriage:

  "By following Christ, renouncing ourselves, and taking up our crosses, that spouses will be able to receive the original meaning of marriage and live it with the help of Christ."
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz [19:30]

• Encouragement to Listeners:

  "Your story isn't over yet. God loves you as you are... you matter."
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz [25:00]

Key Takeaways

1. Marriage as a Sacrament: In the New Covenant, marriage is elevated to a sacrament, symbolizing the unbreakable bond between Christ and the Church.
2. Impact of Sin: The Fall introduced challenges into marital relationships, making love require sacrifice and mutual self-giving.
3. Indissolubility of Marriage: Jesus firmly taught that marriage is lifelong and unbreakable, contrasting previous allowances for divorce.
4. Role of Grace: Divine grace empowers spouses to live out the high calling of sacramental marriage, transforming hearts and fostering true love.
5. Community and Support: Emphasizing the importance of community, prayer, and mutual support within the family of God to sustain and nurture marital relationships.

Listeners are encouraged to embrace the sacramental nature of marriage, rely on God's grace, and support one another within the faith community to uphold the sanctity and joy of marital life.