Summary of "Day 26: Communion of Believers"

Podcast: The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Episode: Day 26: Communion of Believers
Release Date: January 26, 2025

Introduction

In Day 26 of The Catechism in a Year podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz delves into the foundational creeds of the Catholic faith—the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed—while exploring Catechism paragraphs 185 to 192. This episode marks a significant transition as listeners begin Section Two of the Catechism, focusing on the profession of the Christian faith.

Overview of Day 26

Fr. Mike opens the episode by outlining the day's objectives: reading and understanding both the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed, alongside specific paragraphs from the Catechism. He emphasizes the use of Ascension’s Foundations of Faith approach, which employs a color-coded system to illuminate the Catechism's structure, enhancing comprehension and retention.

Fr. Mike Schmitz [00:00]: "We're reading the Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed today... we're going to go through both the Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed. That's how we're going to kick things off."

Reading of the Apostles' Creed and Nicene Creed

Fr. Mike proceeds to recite both creeds, highlighting their similarities and expansions:

• Apostles' Creed: A concise summary reflecting the early Christian belief system, tracing back to the Apostles.

• Nicene Creed: An expanded version formulated during the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD to clarify the divinity of Jesus Christ and address theological disputes.

Fr. Mike Schmitz [Transcript]:
"I believe in God, the Father Almighty... Amen."
"...I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God... Amen."

Explanation of the Creeds

Fr. Mike explains the purpose and structure of the creeds, emphasizing their role as summaries of faith that unify believers:

• Creeds as Symbolic Summaries: Deriving from the Greek word "symbolon," meaning a broken seal shared between individuals, creeds serve as tokens of mutual recognition and communion among Christians.

  Fr. Mike Schmitz [Transcript]:
  "The Greek word cymbalon meant half of a broken object... a sign of recognition and communion between believers."

• Articles of the Creed: Each section of the creed corresponds to one Person of the Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—mirroring the structured articulation of faith.

  Fr. Mike Schmitz [Transcript]:
  "We call them Articles... It is also customary to reckon the articles of the creed as 12, thus symbolizing the fullness of the apostolic faith by the number of the apostles."

Historical Context: Council of Nicaea

The Nicene Creed was developed in response to theological challenges regarding the nature of Christ's divinity. Fr. Mike highlights how the Nicene Creed expands upon the Apostles' Creed to clearly define Jesus as "begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father," affirming His co-equal and co-eternal nature with God the Father.

Fr. Mike Schmitz [Transcript]:
"The Nicene Creed makes it very, very clear that what we believe as Christians is that when we say Jesus is the Son of God, we mean He is co-equal and co-eternal with the Father."

Symbolism in Creeds

Fr. Mike delves into the rich symbolism embedded within the creeds, particularly the notion of creeds as "symbols of faith." He draws parallels between the symbolic nature of the creed and personal tokens of friendship, illustrating how creeds facilitate a deep recognition and shared belief among believers globally.

Fr. Mike Schmitz [Transcript]:
"We have this broken seal that we walk up to any other Christian and realize, wait a second. You believe what I believe. Why? How do we know this? Because we share the same creed."

Importance of Creeds in Faith Communion

Creeds provide a common language of faith that is normative and unifying for all Catholics. Fr. Mike underscores the necessity of creeds in fostering communal belief and catechesis, serving as the foundational reference for teaching the faith to new members, especially those preparing for baptism.

Fr. Mike Schmitz [Transcript]:
"The symbol of faith is a summary of the principal truths of the faith and therefore serves as the first and fundamental point of reference for catechesis."

Application and Reflection

Fr. Mike encourages listeners to reflect on the creeds' relevance in contemporary Christianity, drawing attention to the ongoing persecution of believers worldwide. He emphasizes the solidarity that creeds foster, enabling Christians to unite in faith despite external challenges.

Fr. Mike Schmitz [Transcript]:
"There are many people, maybe even in the world right now who are suffering... Because they believe exactly what you and I believe."

Conclusion

Fr. Mike concludes the episode with a prayer, seeking divine guidance and deeper understanding of the creeds. He reiterates the importance of the creeds in professing and living out the Catholic faith, setting the stage for upcoming discussions that will further dissect the intricacies of each Person of the Holy Trinity.

Fr. Mike Schmitz [Transcript]:
"Please, please pray for me... I cannot wait to see you tomorrow. God bless."

Notable Quotes:

• Fr. Mike Schmitz [00:00]: "The Catechism in a Year is where we encounter God's plan of sure goodness for us, revealed in Scripture and passed down through the tradition of the Catholic faith."

• Fr. Mike Schmitz [Transcript]: "We don't believe in the creed itself. We believe in the realities that the creed represents."

• Fr. Mike Schmitz [Transcript]: "The symbol of faith is a summary of the principal truths of the faith and therefore serves as the first and fundamental point of reference for catechesis."

Key Takeaways

1. Creeds as Foundations: The Apostles' Creed and Nicene Creed are essential summaries of Catholic belief, providing a unified language of faith.
2. Symbolism and Communion: Creeds act as symbolic seals that foster recognition and unity among believers worldwide.
3. Historical Significance: The Nicene Creed was formulated to address and clarify theological disputes regarding the nature of Christ.
4. Catechetical Importance: Creeds serve as foundational tools in teaching and transmitting the Catholic faith to new and existing members.
5. Faith in Practice: Understanding and professing the creeds strengthen personal belief and communal solidarity, especially in the face of persecution.

Looking Forward

In the subsequent episodes, Fr. Mike plans to delve deeper into each Person of the Holy Trinity—starting with God the Father—providing a comprehensive understanding of their roles and significance within the Catholic faith.

This detailed exploration of Day 26 serves as a crucial step in comprehending the core beliefs that bind the Catholic community, encouraging both personal reflection and collective affirmation of faith.