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

Episode: Day 255: Human Solidarity (2025)
Date: September 12, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Reading: Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paragraphs 1939–1948

Episode Overview

On Day 255, Fr. Mike Schmitz explores the principle of human solidarity as articulated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. This episode wraps up the chapter on community, bridging the previous discussion of human equality and dignity with the idea that believers are called into profound social charity and friendship. Fr. Mike highlights how solidarity is not merely an abstract concept but a direct demand arising from the reality of Christian brotherhood, shaping the way Catholics view material goods, social justice, and their everyday encounters with others.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Meaning and Source of Human Solidarity

Timestamp: 04:10 – 07:00

• Fr. Mike introduces solidarity as a foundational principle of both human and Christian brotherhood, sometimes called friendship or social charity.
• Solidarity is “a direct demand”—not optional—stemming from our equality as people made in the image of God and redeemed by Christ.
• Reference to Mother Teresa’s quote: “If we have no peace, it’s because we’ve forgotten we belong to each other.”
  Fr. Mike shares how this quote has impacted him personally, passed down from his mother’s home décor:

  “If we have no peace, it’s because we’ve forgotten we belong to each other.” – Mother Teresa [06:05]

2. Catechetical Explanation: How Solidarity Manifests

Timestamp: 07:10 – 10:30

• Solidarity is revealed practically:

  • In how goods and resources are distributed.
  • Through just wages for work.
  • By working toward a more just social order where conflicts are reduced through negotiation.

• Solidarity applies at all levels:

  • Among the poor, between rich and poor, workers, employers, entire nations.

• Pope Pius XII is quoted to highlight how disregard of solidarity undermines social and spiritual order.

  “An error today, abundantly widespread, is disregard for the law of human solidarity and charity, dictated and imposed both by our common origin and by the equality and rational nature of all men, whatever nation they belong to.” – Pope Pius XII [07:40]

• International solidarity is highlighted as a moral imperative—even world peace depends upon it.

3. Spiritual Goods Over Material Aid

Timestamp: 09:10 – 11:20

• The Church teaches that solidarity is more than providing material goods.
• Solidarity involves the sharing of spiritual goods—faith, friendship, mutual support.

  “Solidarity is an eminently Christian virtue. It practices the sharing of spiritual goods even more than material ones.” [10:56]

4. Private Property & The Universal Destination of Goods

Timestamp: 12:00 – 15:10

• The Church holds two balancing teachings:

  • Right to private property: Everyone has a right to own things.
  • Universal destination of goods: The earth’s resources are ultimately intended for all. If some lack what is necessary, even our right to property yields to their need.

• Emphasis that this sharing should not be enforced by law, but motivated by grace, not compulsion.

  “My right to private property, at some place, at some level, it ceases when we meet the needs of those around us. But again, it doesn’t cease by force… What can change that is grace.” – Fr. Mike Schmitz [13:55]

5. Solidarity Begins at the Individual Level

Timestamp: 15:20 – 18:00

• Social justice is only possible if individuals see others as “another self” and act accordingly.

• Fr. Mike urges listeners to treat everyone—strangers, coworkers, family members—according to the logic of brotherhood.

  • Example: Offering not just money but attention, a kind word, or time—especially to marginalized or tiresome individuals.

  “If my brother, if my friend is going without, then I have the right and also have the duty to use my private property for the needs of my brother…” – Fr. Mike Schmitz [14:10]

  “Would I say, here’s 20 bucks, I’m praying for you, or would there be something more? Would I say, ‘How have you been? How’s your day?’… Sometimes it involves just treating people like people.” – Fr. Mike Schmitz [16:40]

6. Applying Solidarity in Everyday Life

Timestamp: 16:30 – 19:30

• Solidarity isn’t only about extreme cases (e.g., helping the homeless) but includes everyday opportunities.

  • Giving attention to a neglected coworker.
  • Engaging one’s spouse with genuine interest.

• The call is to recognize and act on God-given opportunities to extend friendship and care—no act is too small.

  “Maybe it’s going to be really hard. Maybe it’s something that you’ve tried before and have been shot down, in which case, pray for each other.” – Fr. Mike Schmitz [18:55]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Peace and Belonging:

  “If we have no peace, it’s because we’ve forgotten we belong to each other.” – Mother Teresa [06:05]
  (Fr. Mike’s reflection on how family and upbringing shape our sense of solidarity)

• On Property and Responsibility:

  “Yes, you have a right to private property. I have a right to private property. But because we have this human solidarity, if my brother, if my friend is going without, then I have the right and also have the duty to use my private property for the needs of my brother.” – Fr. Mike Schmitz [14:10]

• On Treating People as People:

  “Would I say, here’s 20 bucks, I’m praying for you, or would there be something more? Would I say, ‘How have you been? How’s your day?’ And oftentimes, again, that’s so small, isn’t it? Just, ‘How are you? How are you doing?’” – Fr. Mike Schmitz [16:40]

• On Solidarity in Daily Life:

  “Maybe it’s not about giving them something from my wallet, but maybe it’s giving them a little bit of time… Because how many of us, that’s all I need. I don’t actually need your money. I don’t need your extra coat. But would be really nice for someone to look me in the eye and say, ‘How are you?’ and let me answer them.” – Fr. Mike Schmitz [17:10]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:05–03:30: Introduction, recap, episode setup
• 04:10–06:40: Solidarity as Christian brotherhood, Mother Teresa quote
• 07:10–10:30: Reading from 1939-1948; Pope Pius XII on solidarity
• 12:00–15:10: Private property & universal destination of goods
• 15:20–18:00: Solidarity’s application at the personal level
• 16:30–19:30: Living out solidarity with the marginalized, coworkers, spouses
• 19:20–End: Closing prayer and encouragement

Summary

Fr. Mike Schmitz closes the chapter on community in the Catechism by unpacking the weighty principle of human solidarity. The essence is clear: being Catholic means recognizing our shared belonging to one another, rooted in God’s image and Jesus’ redemption. This solidarity has far-reaching consequences, from how we distribute goods and address systemic inequities, to how we greet coworkers and care for family. For Fr. Mike, the heart of Christian morality is not forced redistribution, but grace-driven generosity and true kinship with all.

Listen for:

• Heartfelt stories connecting teaching to everyday life
• Practical challenges to live solidarity today
• The invitation to see every person as “another self”—someone beloved by God and deserving of our care

Action Step:
Pray for the courage and grace to recognize—and act on—moments of solidarity, big and small, in your daily life.