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

Episode: Day 259: The New Commandment (2025)
Date: September 16, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz (Ascension)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz explores the central theme of the "New Commandment" as presented in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (paragraphs 1970–1974). The focus is on the law of the Gospel—the law of love—its implications, demands, and the profound transformation it calls for in every Christian. The episode dives into the essence of Jesus’ command to "love one another as I have loved you," unpacking how this new law empowers and challenges believers through grace, freedom, and charity, and examining the significance of the Evangelical Counsels (poverty, chastity, and obedience).

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Heart of the New Commandment: Love as Jesus Loved

• Golden Rule & New Commandment

  • The episode begins with Fr. Mike highlighting the Golden Rule: “Whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them.”
  • He connects this to Jesus' New Commandment: “Love one another as I have loved you” ([00:48]).
  • Fr. Mike emphasizes that this is not a reduction, but a raising of the standard of love—one that mirrors Christ’s self-sacrifice.

• The High Call of Christian Love

  • Loving as Christ loved means loving sacrificially, going beyond comfort or convenience ([01:06]).

  • This is a "high, high call" that humans cannot fulfill on their own; the grace from the Holy Spirit is essential.

    “How has Christ loved us? He has loved us by pouring out his very life for us, by saying no to himself and yes to his Father so the Father could be glorified… That is a high, high call.” — Fr. Mike [01:11]

The Law of the Gospel: Love, Grace, and Freedom

• Threefold Nature of the New Law ([05:53])

  • Law of Love:
    “It makes us act out of the love infused by the Holy Spirit, rather than from fear.”
  • Law of Grace:
    “Confers the strength of grace to act by means of faith and the sacraments.”
  • Law of Freedom:
    “Sets us free from the ritual and juridical observances of the old law, inclines us to act spontaneously by the prompting of charity… lets us pass from the condition of servant... to that of friend of Christ.”

• Fr. Mike elaborates on how these aspects are not just abstract ideas, but vital realities in Christian life—especially through the sacraments.

  “Where do we get the grace to act? Where do we get the power of the Holy Spirit? By means of faith and the sacraments.” — Fr. Mike [06:32]

The Demanding Yet Liberating Love

• Greater Demands Than the Old Law ([07:33])

  • Fr. Mike dispels the idea that the law of love is “easier.” The command to love God “with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength” is total and all-consuming.

    “The law of love is not smaller... It’s actually more demanding.” — Fr. Mike [07:50]

• Necessity of the Holy Spirit

  • Recognizes our incapacity to live this love on our own; the Holy Spirit enables believers to respond to this challenging call.

Apostolic Moral Catechesis: Living the New Law

• Supplement to the Sermon on the Mount ([09:13])

  • Beyond Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, St. Paul’s writings (Romans, Corinthians, Colossians, Ephesians) are highlighted for their practical moral guidance.

• Fr. Mike references Colossians 3, which he describes as “ideal Christian life in the world,” and quotes passages calling for compassion, patience, forgiveness, and love.

  “Over all these, put on love, that is the bond of perfection... and be thankful.” — Fr. Mike quoting St. Paul [10:20]

The Evangelical Counsels: More Than the Minimum

• Definition & Purpose ([13:00])

  • Evangelical Counsels: poverty, chastity, obedience.

  • Not commandments for all, but ways some choose to remove even non-sinful obstacles to charity.

  • These counsels “manifest the living fullness of love”—a continual call to give more to God.

    “The fullness of love is never satisfied with not giving more.” — Fr. Mike [14:40]

• Everyone’s Vocation to Holiness

  • St. Francis de Sales’ quote: Not everyone is called to all the counsels, but to those suited to their circumstances and strengths.

    “God does not want each person to keep all the counsels, but only those appropriate to the diversity of persons, times, opportunities, and strengths as charity requires.” — St. Francis de Sales, quoted by Fr. Mike [15:10]

  • Holiness is universal; sanctity is possible for all baptized Christians, not just clergy or religious.

Distinction from Religious Observances

• Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving
  • All Christians are called to these core acts, distinct from the Evangelical Counsels, as essential practices to nurture charity and faith.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Love one another as he has loved us. Okay, how has Christ loved us? He has loved us by pouring out his very life for us…” — Fr. Mike [01:11]
• “The law of love is not smaller. It’s not easier. It’s actually more demanding.” — Fr. Mike [07:50]
• “If then you are raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God… Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience…” — Fr. Mike quoting Colossians 3 [10:00]
• “The fullness of love is never satisfied with not giving more.” — Fr. Mike [14:40]
• “You are called to be a saint. You might not be called to the Evangelical counsels, but here’s the thing: we are all called to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving...” — Fr. Mike [17:10]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introduction & Overview of Reading – 00:05–01:30
• The New Commandment and the Golden Rule – 01:31–05:00
• The Law of the Gospel: Love, Grace, and Freedom – 05:01–07:30
• Demands of Love & Need for the Holy Spirit – 07:31–09:30
• Apostolic Moral Teaching (Colossians Example) – 09:31–11:20
• Evangelical Counsels: Definition & Purpose – 13:00–15:10
• Vocation to Holiness & Personal Application – 15:11–17:30

Conclusion

Fr. Mike concludes by reminding listeners that while not all are called to poverty, chastity, and obedience, every Christian is invited to live out the law of love with the aid of the Holy Spirit. Holiness is attainable for every believer, and the Christian vocation—rooted in love—is both a call and a challenge that God’s grace makes possible.

“Every person is called to be a saint... we all are called to this.” — Fr. Mike [16:15]

He ends with assurances of prayer and encouragement for the journey ahead.