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

Episode: Day 252: The Common Good (2025)
Date: September 9, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Reading: Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 1905–1912

Brief Overview

This episode centers on the common good, as explained in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1905–1912). Fr. Mike Schmitz explores the Church’s balanced view between the dignity of each individual and the good of society as a whole. He offers practical reflections on how Catholics—and all people—are called to understand, seek, and contribute to the common good, while never sacrificing individual dignity.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Definition of the Common Good

• Fr. Mike explains the Catechism’s nuanced approach:

  “What is good for the individual is one thing, and what is good for the group of individuals, what's good for more? …the good of each individual is necessarily related to the common good, which in turn can be defined only in reference to the human person.” (02:15)

• The common good is not a simple trade-off; it is an essential balance:

  “The dignity of the individual can only be really fully realized when there’s the dignity of the group of individuals, which must never violate the dignity of the individual. …We must care for the common good. But in caring for the common good, we must never forget the individual.” (03:05)

Practical Illustration

• Using relatable, incremental examples, Fr. Mike guides listeners through expanding circles of responsibility—from individual choices, to loved ones, to society:

  “You could keep expanding that and then that’s where we get to the common good. What's the best thing I can do right now, personally? Not just for me, and not just for the people I'm closest to, but for society or for the common good?” (10:45)

The Three Essential Elements of the Common Good

1. Respect for the Person
   • Authority must always respect fundamental and inalienable rights of the human person:

     “Every person should be permitted to fulfill their vocation. …What’s wrong [with] socialism, communism, [is] it overrides or subordinates the person to the group. And the person can never be subordinated to the group.” (16:25)

2. Social Wellbeing and Development
   • The common good requires accessible necessities for a truly human life:

     “The common good should make accessible to each what is needed to lead a truly human life. …We’re interested in making sure that everyone has food, that everyone has clothing, everyone has health, everyone has ability to work” (18:10)

3. Peace (Stability and Security of a Just Order)
   • Legitimate authority maintains order by morally acceptable means:

     “It is the role of the state to defend and promote the common good of civil society, its citizens and intermediate bodies.” (19:40)

The Universal Common Good

• Fr. Mike draws attention to global solidarity, invoking the equal dignity of all people:

  “Every person around the world enjoys equal natural dignity. …That implies a universal common good. …The Church is not advocating a one world government, but the cooperation of nations to provide for the needs of all individuals.” (21:10)

• He names practical challenges (refugees, migrants, trafficking), calling listeners to see not just statistics, but persons:

  “It’s easy to say, ‘there are millions of homeless people’… But when we say here’s an individual, and they are going hungry tonight … that’s when a fire is lit under us and we say, ‘what can I do about that?’” (22:25)

Personal Responsibility

• Looking ahead, Fr. Mike emphasizes individual vocation in the pursuit of the common good:

  “At some level we have to say, okay, I only have my meager circle of influence. But what can I do with that? That’s the question… we’re going to have to ask ourselves and ask the Lord on a daily basis.” (24:20)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On balance:

  “We can do neither of those. We must assert the dignity of the individual because of how good individuals are. We must care for the common good. But in caring for the common good, we must never forget the individual.” (03:25)

• On ‘bare necessities’:

  “Striving for the common good is saying, okay, how can we work together to make sure every individual… has access to food, clothing, health, work, education—basic, as Baloo said, the bare necessities of life.” (18:36)

• On universal dignity:

  “The church reiterates this again and again. Every human being has equal natural dignity.” (20:55)

• On practical Christian action:

  “Every person has human dignity. If I can help, I need to help. That’s a life oriented toward the common good.” (23:20)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:15] – Defining the common good with reference to the individual
• [10:45] – Expanding circles of responsibility: self, family, society
• [16:25] – First element: Respect for the person and its implications for governmental systems
• [18:10] – Second element: Social wellbeing and what it practically entails
• [19:40] – Third element: Peace and just order as part of the common good
• [21:10] – Universal common good and global solidarity
• [22:25] – From statistics to individual action—personalizing social issues
• [24:20] – The call to ask “what can I do?” on a daily basis

Tone and Style

• Fr. Mike’s delivery is engaging, conversational, and heartfelt. He combines warmth and practical examples with theological clarity, often using humor and relatable analogies (e.g., referencing “the bare necessities” from The Jungle Book).

Summary

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz unpacks the Catholic Church’s teaching on the common good, emphasizing that it requires a careful balance: championing the dignity of each person while striving for societal welfare and peace. Drawing on the Catechism, he stresses three foundational elements—personal rights, social development, and order—and highlights the Church’s vision for global solidarity, without sacrificing individual dignity or resorting to collectivist extremes. He closes by challenging listeners to bring the question of their own responsibility before God daily, urging personal action for the sake of both neighbor and society.