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

Episode: Day 232: Man Is Made in the Image of God (2025)
Date: August 20, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Reading: Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paragraphs 1699–1715

Episode Overview

This episode launches “Section One: Man’s Vocation Life in the Spirit” and focuses on Chapter One: "The Dignity of the Human Person," specifically discussing what it means for humanity to be created in the image and likeness of God. Fr. Mike introduces the section, unpacks key Catechism paragraphs, and reflects on the Catholic understanding of human dignity, free will, original sin, the Gospel, and grace. This sets the stage for the next several episodes, which will continue to unravel the Church’s vision for humanity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to the Dignity of the Human Person

• [02:05] Fr. Mike outlines that today's reading introduces the core concept: "You're made in the image and likeness of God. And because you've been redeemed, because God has poured out His Holy Spirit into you, that we have to live in a certain way."
• The Catechism breaks this into eight articles summarized in paragraph 1700, focusing first on the foundation: our identity in God’s image.

2. The High Call: Image and Likeness of God

• [06:15] “Jesus reveals man fully to himself.”
  • Fr. Mike explains: Jesus not only shows us who God is but reveals our own deepest purpose, origin, and destiny.
• [07:40] Review of Catechism’s summary:
  • “God made human beings in his image, likeness in a plan of sheer goodness. God who's good, made us good, made us in his image and likeness…”

3. What Does It Mean to Be Made for One’s Own Sake?

• [10:00] Citing Gaudium et Spes:
  • "The human person is the only creature on earth that God willed for its own sake."
  • Fr. Mike elaborates: “That means that human beings can never merely be used. We have to be loved, right?... [A hammer] exists in order to drive in nails, you can use a hammer. But a person exists for their own sake. Therefore, we may never merely use a person.”
• [12:13] This truth underpins the inherent, untouchable dignity of every human, regardless of circumstance.

4. Universal Call to Holiness

• [13:15] “You’re destined for eternal beatitude. Every human being, God wants every… this is called the universal call to holiness.”
• Fr. Mike clarifies the difference between “destined” and “fated”—God made every person for heaven, but each must choose it freely.

5. Intellect, Free Will, and the Struggle of Sin

• [15:20] Humanity uniquely endowed with reason and freedom: “You have an intellect, you have to use it... We have to strive after grasping the truth, and what is good, what is beautiful. Then we have to use that free will to choose the good, to choose the beautiful, and to choose the truth.”
• [16:48] The voice of conscience: “There is the voice of God that speaks inside of us to do what is good and avoid what is evil. And we're obliged to follow that law which makes itself heard in conscience.”
• [17:35] Brokenness and Sin:
  • Humanity “succumbed to temptation, did what was evil… he still desires the good, but his nature bears the wound of original sin.”

6. Grace, Redemption, and the New Life

• [18:45] “By his passion Christ delivered us from Satan and from sin. He merited for us the new life in the Holy Spirit. His grace restores what sin had damaged in us.”
• [19:15] “He who believes in Christ becomes a Son of God. And this filial adoption… transforms you by giving you the ability to follow the example of Christ, it makes you capable of acting rightly and doing good.”
• [20:00] Perfection of charity—the path to holiness—is found in unity with Christ and matures into eternal life.

7. The Reality and Hope of the Christian Life

• [21:00] “Sin is difficult. It is difficult to live in sin. It is depressing. It is saddening. It is painful… It takes effort to choose the good. But with God’s grace, we can. And that is a life of joy and of freedom.”
• [22:01] Despite our brokenness, with Christ’s grace, “we can live a life of power. We can live a life of freedom and joy.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Jesus reveals man fully to himself.” (Fr. Mike, [06:15])
• “You as human being are the only kind of creature that God has willed for your own sake… that means that human beings can never merely be used. We have to be loved, right?” (Fr. Mike, [10:35])
• “God made every person for heaven, even if we don’t choose heaven. That’s what he made us for.” (Fr. Mike, [13:45])
• “We’re made for love, but we simply more often choose to use. And yet here is Jesus, who delivered us from Satan and from sin.” (Fr. Mike, [21:40])
• “Do not be afraid. Do not be afraid. God has your back. He has fought for you. He continues to fight for you.” (Fr. Mike, [22:55])

Major Timestamps

• [00:00] - Welcome & Overview of Today’s Reading
• [01:30] - Prayer for Openness to Human Dignity
• [04:05] - Introduction to Section 1 and Dignity of the Human Person
• [06:15] - Jesus as the Revelation of Human Purpose
• [10:00] - Human Beings Created for Their Own Sake (Gaudium et Spes)
• [13:15] - Universal Call to Holiness
• [15:20] - Intellect, Will, and the Necessity of Choice
• [16:48] - Conscience and the Obligation to Do Good
• [17:35] - The Wound of Original Sin—Brokenness and Desire for Good
• [18:45] - Jesus’ Redemption and Restoration
• [20:00] - Perfection of Charity, Holiness, and Eternal Life
• [21:00] - The Struggle and Hope of Living as Redeemed People
• [22:55] - Encouragement for Listeners to Trust in God’s Grace

Tone & Style

Fr. Mike’s delivery is pastoral, practical, and deeply personal, filled with encouragement and real-world analogies. He balances theological depth with relatable imagery (e.g., comparing humans to tools like hammers), consistently ties doctrine to daily life, and motivates the listener to see their own dignity and the joy possible through cooperation with God’s grace.

Summary

Fr. Mike guides listeners through the Church's teaching that every human person is created in the image and likeness of God, possesses unique dignity, and is destined for eternal beatitude. Although wounded by original sin, humanity is capable, with grace, of right action and love. Christ’s redemption makes it possible to live out this high calling. Throughout the episode, Fr. Mike emphasizes both the challenge and the hope of Christian life, inviting everyone to recognize their worth and to persevere, knowing that God continues to accompany and empower them.