Podcast Summary: The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) – Day 28: The Nature of God

Introduction

In Day 28 of Ascension’s "The Catechism in a Year" podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz delves into "The Nature of God," exploring paragraphs 198 to 204 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. This episode, titled "I Believe in God the Father," serves as a foundational discussion on understanding God’s identity, the significance of the Creed, and the mystery of the Trinity.

Overview of the Episode

Fr. Mike Schmitz begins by emphasizing the importance of starting one’s faith journey with an understanding of God. He highlights that God is both the beginning and the end, and that the profession of faith begins with God the Father— the first Divine Person of the Holy Trinity. The episode aims to deepen listeners' comprehension of who God is, moving beyond abstract attributes to a personal relationship with the Divine.

Key Topics Discussed

1. Beginning with God in Faith

   • Professing Faith: Fr. Mike underscores that the Creed starts with the acknowledgment of God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. He explains, “Our profession of faith begins with God, for God is the first and the last, the beginning and the end of everything” (00:05).

   • Foundational Belief: The first affirmation of the Apostles’ Creed, “I believe in God,” is presented as the most fundamental statement, upon which all other beliefs are built.

2. Understanding God as a Person

   • God as a Who, Not a What: Fr. Mike stresses the personal nature of God. He shares a poignant insight from a friend: “He is saying, I really want to hold in my mind and in my heart, I’m describing who I believe. That’s it. Not just here’s what I believe, I’m describing who I believe” (00:05).

   • Relational Aspect: Emphasizing that God is not an impersonal force, Fr. Mike highlights that God is a personal Being who desires a relationship with humanity.

3. The Mystery of the Trinity

   • One God in Three Persons: A significant portion of the discussion is dedicated to understanding the Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Fr. Mike explains, “Three persons indeed, but one essence, substance or nature. Entirely simple” (00:05).

   • Ineffable Nature: He acknowledges the incomprehensibility of God's nature, describing it as “ineffable” and “incomprehensible,” yet accessible through revelation.

   • Distinctiveness of Christian Faith: By stating that "confessing Jesus as Lord is distinctive of Christian faith," Fr. Mike clarifies that this belief complements, rather than contradicts, belief in one God (00:05).

4. God's Revelation and His Names

   • Progressive Revelation: Fr. Mike discusses how God reveals Himself progressively, providing humanity with different names to enhance personal relationship and understanding.

   • Divine Name to Moses: Highlighting paragraph 204, he mentions the pivotal revelation of God’s name to Moses in the burning bush—theophany—as fundamental to both Old and New Covenants.

   • Accessibility of God: Despite God’s mystery, He makes Himself accessible by revealing His name, allowing for a more intimate and personal relationship with believers.

Notable Quotes

• Fr. Mike Schmitz on Understanding God:

  “God is not an anonymous force. To disclose one's name is to make oneself known to others. In a way, it is to hand oneself over by becoming accessible, capable of being known more intimately and addressed personally.” (09:45)

• On the Creed's Foundation:

  “Our profession of faith begins with God, for God is the first and the last, the beginning and the end of everything.” (00:05)

• Regarding the Trinity:

  “Three persons indeed, but one essence, substance or nature. Entirely simple.” (14:30)

• On Divine Revelation:

  “God revealed himself progressively and under different names to his people, but the revelation of the Divine Name to Moses was fundamental.” (25:15)

Insights and Conclusions

Fr. Mike Schmitz provides a profound exploration of the nature of God, emphasizing the personal and relational aspects of faith. By grounding the discussion in the Creed, he illustrates how foundational beliefs shape the Christian understanding of God’s identity. The episode highlights the balance between acknowledging God’s mystery and His desire to be known personally through revelation.

Key takeaways include:

• Foundation of Faith: Understanding that faith begins with recognizing God’s existence and His role as Creator sets the stage for all other beliefs.

• Personal Relationship: Emphasizing God as a 'who' rather than a 'what' encourages a more intimate and meaningful relationship with the Divine.

• Trinitarian Mystery: Accepting the complexity of the Trinity without getting bogged down by its mystery allows believers to embrace the fullness of God’s nature.

• Accessible Revelation: God's revelation of His name to Moses signifies His desire to be personally known, reinforcing the accessibility of God despite His infinite nature.

Final Thoughts

Day 28 of "The Catechism in a Year" podcast serves as a thoughtful and engaging examination of God's nature. Fr. Mike Schmitz adeptly navigates complex theological concepts, making them accessible and relatable. By focusing on who God is and how He reveals Himself, listeners are encouraged to deepen their faith and cultivate a more profound relationship with God. The episode sets a solid foundation for continued exploration of the Catechism, promising further insights into the Catholic faith.

Join the Journey

To fully benefit from "The Catechism in a Year" podcast, listeners are encouraged to follow along with the reading plan and engage with the Catechism themselves. Fr. Mike Schmitz's insights, combined with structured reading, provide a comprehensive guide to understanding and living out the Catholic faith.

Note: Timestamps in the quotes are indicative and based on the transcript provided.