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

Episode: Day 266 – The Gift of Grace (2025)

Date: September 22, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz | Ascension

Episode Overview

In this episode (“Day 266: The Gift of Grace”), Fr. Mike Schmitz offers a rich, energetic reflection on paragraphs 2017–2029 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, focusing on the nature, action, and necessity of grace for salvation, justification, and Christian life. This “Nugget Day” recaps and synthesizes recent teachings, inviting listeners into wonder and gratitude for God’s unmerited, transformative gift.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Centrality of Grace in Catholic Teaching

• Grace is everything: Nearly every summary statement in today’s Catechism section refers to grace, underscoring its central role in salvation, justification, and Christian life.
• Fr. Mike: “How much of Catholic theology is…only understood in light of grace?” [09:38]

What is Grace?

• Grace is God’s “gratuitous, unmerited, and free gift,” essential for salvation and transformation.
• Through grace, especially in baptism and faith, we are united with Christ’s Passion and Resurrection and made “adopted sons and daughters” – new creations empowered to share in God’s life.

2. Justification and Conversion: Two Movements

• Drawing from Catechism 2018, Fr. Mike highlights conversion's twofold nature:
  • Turning away from sin.
  • Turning toward God.
• Analogy: Citing the Exodus, he explains that liberation (conversion) is not just from slavery, but for a new life of worship and belonging to God.
• Fr. Mike: “It’s not just enough to turn away from sin. I have to also turn toward God.” [11:54]

Justification

• Initiated and merited by Christ’s Passion, not human deeds.
• Given through baptism.
• Orients us toward God’s glory and the gift of eternal life.
• “Every time a person turns away from sin…God is glorified.” [14:50]
• Memorable line: “The most excellent work of God’s mercy is accomplished in you.” [16:36]

3. The Initiative and Action of Grace

• Grace always precedes and prepares the human response (“prevenient grace”).
• “God is always the one who initiates…our prayer is always a response.” [17:45]
• Grace does NOT overwhelm freedom: Instead, it perfects it, enabling us to freely choose the good, overcoming sin’s slavery.
• For Fr. Mike, this is a source of deep encouragement: “God’s grace works with human freedom…and perfects human freedom.” [19:03]

4. Types of Grace

Fr. Mike summarizes three main categories:

a. Sanctifying or Habitual Grace

• Permanent and stabilizing.
• Infused by the Spirit, heals sin, sanctifies, and makes us pleasing to God.
• “It makes us God’s sons and daughters.” [20:18]

b. Charisms (Special Graces)

• Gifts for building up the Church.
• Miracles, prophecy, tongues, etc., are “not intended just for the person…they’re intended…to build up the body of Christ.” [21:18]
• Apostolic signs serve the community and affirm Christ’s truth.

c. Actual Graces

• Specific helps for concrete situations.
• Distinguished from habitual grace (which is ongoing).

5. Merit: Our Collaboration with Grace

• Merit only comes through God’s free initiative.
• “Even the good that I do is your gift to me, Lord God.” [23:08]
• Humility means recognizing all that is good in us is God’s grace working with our cooperation.
• Charity is the principal source of merit before God.

6. The Universal Call to Holiness

• All Christians are called to “the fullness of Christian life and the perfection of charity.”
• Christian perfection’s only “limit is having none.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On grace: “What God has done for us is grace. It’s his gift. It’s his gratuitous, unmerited and free gift.” [09:55]
• On the glory of God: “The goal is that the God who is love…he’s glorified when we turn away from sin, he’s glorified when grace transforms our hearts.” [14:50]
• On being part of God’s work: “The most excellent work of God’s mercy is accomplished in you.” [16:36]
• On freedom: “God’s grace does not overwhelm human freedom…it perfects human freedom.” [19:03]
• On merit: “The honest truth is that the only good in me comes from the Lord God.” [23:08]

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment / Quote / Topic | |-----------|------------------------| | 09:38 | “How much of Catholic theology is…only understood in light of grace?” | | 11:54 | Conversion: “It’s not just enough to turn away from sin…” | | 14:50 | On the glory of God in justification | | 16:36 | “The most excellent work of God’s mercy is accomplished in you.” | | 17:45 | “God is always the one who initiates…” (prevenient grace) | | 19:03 | “God’s grace works with human freedom…and perfects human freedom.” | | 20:18 | “It makes us God’s sons and daughters.” (sanctifying grace) | | 21:18 | Charisms build up the Church | | 23:08 | “Even the good that I do is your gift to me, Lord God.” |

Tone & Style

Fr. Mike’s presentation is warm, passionate, and filled with awe for God’s generosity. He speaks with humility, joy, and a sense of deep encouragement, often inviting the listener personally into the truths discussed. His tone is that of a pastoral guide and fellow pilgrim, not merely a lecturer.

Next Steps / What’s Coming

• Tomorrow’s episode will begin Article 3 of the Catechism: exploring the Church as “Mother and Teacher.”
• Fr. Mike: “We are called to live in that Church as the Church is our mother and the Church is our teacher.” [26:38]

Conclusion

This episode beautifully emphasized that grace is the foundation and heart of Catholic faith, making salvation possible and sanctifying everyday life. Fr. Mike invited listeners to recognize and rejoice in the ongoing “most excellent work of God’s mercy” being accomplished in each of us, through God’s initiative and our free, loving response.

Fr. Mike closes:
“God’s gift of salvation is free. God’s gift of salvation is unmerited. God’s gift of grace is true, and it’s offered to you and me right now. All we have to do is say yes.” [27:17]

Practical Takeaways:

• Reflect on the central role of grace in your own life.
• Remember: any good you do is possible only through cooperation with God’s grace.
• Embrace the call to holiness—God’s work in you is both humbling and glorious.

Prayers for the journey ahead, as we continue to deepen our understanding of the Catechism and our participation in God’s life.