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

Episode: Day 242: The Virtue of Faith (2025)
Date: August 30, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz

Overview: Exploring the Theological Virtue of Faith

In this episode, Fr. Mike introduces the three theological virtues—faith, hope, and love—with a focused exploration of the virtue of faith. Building on previous discussions about the cardinal (human) virtues, he explains how theological virtues differ in their origin, motive, and object, rooting Christians in a transformative relationship with God. Drawing from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC paragraphs 1812–1816), Fr. Mike guides listeners through the essentials of what it means to believe, trust, and live out the Catholic faith in both word and action.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Distinguishing Human and Theological Virtues

[00:40 – 04:05]

• Human (Cardinal) Virtues: Prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude—acquired by effort, education, and repeated action.
• Theological Virtues: Faith, hope, and love—not achieved by human action alone, but infused by God.
• "[T]hey dispose Christians to live in a relationship with the Holy Trinity. [...] They have the one and triune God for their origin, motive, and object." (00:56, quoting CCC 1812)

Fr. Mike emphasizes that while human virtues make one "free" and "joyful," the theological virtues enable a direct relationship with the Triune God, shaping not just morality but one’s participation in divine life.

2. Origin, Motive, and Object: All God

[05:00 – 09:30]

Fr. Mike underscores a central Catechism teaching: faith, hope, and love all stem from, aim toward, and are motivated by God Himself—specifically the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

• "We have faith not because we believe things will get better or because we wish things will get better. We have faith because of God." (06:25)

• Motive: To be motivated is to have a motive—here, the motive for faith, hope, and love is "God Himself."

• Object: "I don't have faith in faith. [...] The object of our faith is God." (08:20)

This framing sets Christian faith apart from optimism or generic positivity; instead, it is uniquely centered on trust in the living God.

3. The Power and Nature of Faith

[09:40 – 15:40]

• Faith is not "white knuckling" belief or just mental assent to Church arguments but “freely committing [one’s] entire self to God.”
• Faith means trust—even amid uncertainty or inability to comprehend everything.

Memorable Illustration:
Fr. Mike recounts the story of Job to exemplify faith not as a demand for answers but as a response to divine self-revelation:

• “‘I had heard of you before, but now I’ve seen you. And I put my hand over my mouth and I will cease asking my questions.’” (13:55, referencing Job)

• Faith is both a virtue and a gift; reasoned arguments may assist, but faith ultimately transcends logic:
  "The virtue of faith isn't just, 'Oh, you've presented me with a well-reasoned argument and now I agree with you.' That's not the same thing as faith." (11:45)

4. Faith Must Be Alive: Faith, Hope, and Love

[16:00 – 18:00]

• Without hope and love, faith is “dead” (paraphrasing CCC 1815).
• Salvation comes "by grace through faith, working itself out in love."
• "I can have faith as mere belief, like, 'Oh yeah, I believe God,' but then I don't walk in hope and I don't live in love." (16:33)

Fr. Mike reminds listeners that authentic faith isn’t a box to check; it demands ongoing expression through hope and charity.

5. Professing and Witnessing Faith in Everyday Life

[18:10 – 21:20]

The Catechism challenges Christians to not just keep and live the faith but also to profess and witness to it.

• "[T]he disciple of Christ must not only keep the faith and live on it, but also profess it confidently, bear witness to it and spread it." (18:18, quoting CCC 1816)

Fr. Mike’s Personal Reflection:
He shares struggles about acknowledging faith in everyday, non-church settings (like at the gym), considering whether to say "I'm praying for you" to friends who might not share his beliefs:

• "I realize in those moments, I have a choice. It's a simple choice, right? [...] Why wouldn't I just freely say, 'Hey, congratulations on your upcoming wedding...I'm praying for you.'" (19:30)

This vulnerable sharing underlines that witness need not be grandiose—small acts and authentic words make faith visible and can bridge the gap between belief and mission.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Purpose of Faith:
  "Faith is, okay God, I trust you. I might still struggle [...] but I struggle as someone who trusts God." (14:45)

• On Evangelizing Naturally:
  "[S]omething as simple as that—I don't know. Hopefully that makes sense. [...] We need to not only keep the faith and live on it, but also profess it. What's that look like? It can look as simple as... 'Hey, I'm praying for you.'" (20:20)

• On the Integration of Virtues:
  "We're saved by grace through faith, working itself out in love." (16:50)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:40 — Cardinal vs. Theological Virtues
• 05:00 — God as Origin, Motive, and Object of Faith
• 09:40 — What Faith Really Is: Going Beyond Arguments
• 13:55 — The Example of Job: Relationship Over Answers
• 16:00 — Faith Needs Hope and Love to Be Alive
• 18:10 — The Call to Profess and Witness Faith
• 19:30 — Fr. Mike’s Personal Challenges with Public Faith
• 20:20 — Encouragement to Take Small Witnessing Steps

Summary & Takeaway

This episode distills faith as both trust and commitment—a divine virtue rooted in God’s own nature, not in what we wish to be true or merely intellectual agreement. Fr. Mike calls listeners to examine their motivations and boldness, reminding them that authentic Christian faith is animated and sustained by hope and love and is to be professed in both simple and profound ways in daily life.

Final Encouragement:
"Something as simple as, 'Hey, I'm praying for you.' And you know what? It's true. I am praying for you, but please pray for me." (21:10)