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

Episode: Day 233: The Beatitudes (2025)
Date: August 21, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Produced by: Ascension

Main Theme

Day 233 of The Catechism in a Year dives into paragraphs 1716–1729 of the Catechism, focusing on the Beatitudes: their central place in Jesus’ preaching, their fulfillment of God’s promises, and the profound invitation to true happiness (Beatitude) found only in God. Fr. Mike explores how our deepest desire for happiness is oriented toward God, how the Beatitudes challenge us morally, and how they reveal our ultimate destiny as Christians.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Recap and Context

• Fr. Mike begins by situating today’s reading as the next step after exploring the dignity of the human person (Day 232).
• He reminds listeners that “God has made us for himself—and God alone satisfies.” (01:18)
• The Beatitudes are introduced as both “blessing” and “happiness,” but with a deeper, ultimate meaning.

2. Reading of the Beatitudes (04:43 – 07:58)

• Fr. Mike reads the Beatitudes from Matthew’s Gospel, highlighting their role at the heart of Jesus’ teaching.
• The Catechism describes the Beatitudes as “paradoxical promises that sustain hope in the midst of tribulations.” They not only point to future reward but also shape our present Christian experience.

3. The Desire for Happiness

• The Catechism teaches that our desire for happiness is of divine origin—God placed it in the human heart to draw us to Himself.

• Quotes St. Augustine:

  “We all want to live happily; in the whole human race, there is no one who does not assent to this proposition even before it is fully articulated.” (08:12 — Fr. Mike reading Augustine)

• Augustine’s prayer is also highlighted:

  “How is it then that I seek you, Lord, since in seeking you, my God, I seek a happy life? Let me seek you so that my soul may live, for my body draws life from my soul, and my soul draws life from you.” (08:44)

• St. Thomas Aquinas:

  “God alone satisfies.” (09:02)

4. The Goal of Human Existence: Beatitude

• The Beatitudes reveal the purpose of human life: “God calls us to His own Beatitude.”
• Fr. Mike references the Baltimore Catechism:

  “Who made you? God made me. Why did God make you? God made me to know, to love, and to serve Him in this life so as to be happy with him forever.”

  • The Catechism echoes this:

    “God put us in the world to know, to love, and to serve Him, and so to come to paradise.” (11:15 — Fr. Mike on paragraph 1721)

5. The Challenge and Paradox of the Beatitudes

• The Beatitudes require decisive moral choices, inviting us to purify our hearts and seek God above all else.

• Fr. Mike emphasizes:

  “The Beatitudes are paradoxical promises that sustain hope in the midst of tribulations. … They confront us with decisive moral choices.” (12:08)

• The Catechism warns that true happiness is not found in riches, well-being, fame, power, or human achievements, but in God alone.

6. Wealth, Fame, and Notoriety: Modern Reflections

• Quoting St. John Henry Newman:

  “All bow down before wealth. Wealth is that to which the multitude of men pay an instinctive homage. They measure happiness by wealth and by wealth they measure respectability. ... Wealth is one idol of the day, and notoriety is a second.” (13:15 — Fr. Mike reading Newman)

• Fr. Mike brings this into the present:

  “We might call it Instagram fame… There’s literally that someone’s ‘Instagram famous’ or they’re ‘YouTube famous’ ... but the human heart, that lives in all of us.” (14:10)

7. Self-Reflection and Application

• Fr. Mike invites a personal examination on what we truly place first in our lives:

  “Where I spend my time is where I place my heart. Where I spend my money is where I place my heart.” (14:50)

• Listeners are called to regularly ask: “What gets my heart above everything else?” Is it God, or something else?

8. Summary of Key Catechism Points

• The Beatitudes fulfill God’s promises and direct them toward the Kingdom of Heaven.
• They answer our deepest desire for happiness.
• They require us to choose—decisively—between God and the passing goods of this world.
• Beatitude is a free, supernatural gift, the ultimate end God desires for us.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the heart of happiness:

  “God has made us for Himself. He alone satisfies.” (01:18 — Fr. Mike Schmitz)

• On the Beatitudes’ challenge:

  “The Beatitudes confront us with decisive moral choices. The Beatitude invites us to purify our hearts of bad instincts and to seek the love of God above all else.” (12:08)

• On wealth and notoriety:

  “Wealth is one idol of the day. Notoriety is a second.” (13:55 — John Henry Newman)

• On application:

  “Where I spend my time is where I place my heart. … If I find myself saying, ‘I’ve got to make sure I work out today ... or save money’, but I’m not willing to take time to pray or help others, then there’s a big question: what do I love most?” (14:50 — Fr. Mike Schmitz)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Introduction & Review of Previous Episode: 00:05 – 02:40
• Overview of Beatitude and Its Meaning: 02:40 – 04:40
• Reading the Beatitudes from Matthew’s Gospel: 04:43 – 07:58
• Discussion of The Desire for Happiness (w/ Augustine & Aquinas): 08:00 – 09:30
• Ultimate End: God Calls Us to Himself, The Baltimore Catechism Parallel: 11:10 – 12:15
• Moral Challenge: Choosing Beatitude Over Earthly Goods: 12:30 – 13:25
• Reflection on Wealth, Fame, and Modern Examples: 13:15 – 14:30
• Personal Examination & Call to Action: 14:40 – 16:30

Conclusion & Tone

Fr. Mike’s approach is uplifting, personal, and challenging—encouraging deep reflection but always offering hope. He ends with a heartfelt reminder that “it’s very difficult, though, and so we need grace, we need prayer. That’s why I’m praying for you; please pray for me.”

Summary Takeaway:
The Beatitudes are not just lofty ideals; they are the very heart of Christian morality, revealing our destiny in God. Fr. Mike urges us to examine our own hearts and lives in view of Jesus’ paradoxical promises—living in hope, making decisive moral choices, and seeking the source of all true happiness: God alone.