Podcast Summary: The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) Episode: Day 29: Knowing the Name of God
Release Date: January 29, 2025

Introduction

In Day 29 of The Catechism in a Year podcast, hosted by Fr. Mike Schmitz and produced by Ascension, the focus centers on understanding the name of God as presented in the Catholic Catechism. This episode delves into the profound significance of God's revealed name, exploring its biblical origins, theological implications, and its role in fostering a personal relationship between God and humanity.

Exploring God's Name in the Catechism

Fr. Mike begins by outlining the day's reading, which covers paragraphs 205 to 211 of the Catechism. He emphasizes the use of the Ascension edition, highlighting its color-coded Foundations of Faith approach that aids in comprehending the Catechism's structure.

"The Catechism in a Year is brought to you by Ascension... In 365 days, we'll read through the Catechism of the Catholic Church, discovering our identity in God's family as we journey together toward our heavenly home."
[00:05]

The Revelation of God's Name

The episode delves into the biblical narrative from Exodus 3, where God reveals His name to Moses at the burning bush. Fr. Mike explains the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) and its translations, such as Yahweh and Jehovah, emphasizing the name's mystery and its representation of God's eternal presence.

"God reveals his name as the tetragrammaton is how you say it, the Y, H, W, H...I am who I am, or I am who am."
[02:15]

The Mysterious Nature of God's Name

Fr. Mike highlights paragraph 206 of the Catechism, which describes the revelation of God's name as both a disclosure and a mystery.

"This revealing of God's name is mysterious, just as God is mystery. It is at once a name revealed and something like the refusal of a name."
[04:30]

He reflects on the duality of God's name being both known and ineffable, capturing the essence of God's transcendence and immanence.

God's Relationship with Humanity

The discussion progresses to how God's revelation of His name signifies His desire for a relationship with humanity. Fr. Mike underscores God's faithfulness and compassion, as outlined in paragraphs 207 and 208.

"By revealing his name, God at the same time reveals his faithfulness, which is from everlasting to everlasting... God who reveals his name as I am, reveals Himself as the God who is always there present to his people in order to save them."
[06:45]

He provides biblical examples of human responses to God's presence, including Moses, Isaiah, and Peter, illustrating the profound sense of awe and recognition of human insignificance in the divine presence.

Reverence for God's Name

Fr. Mike addresses the reverence shown towards God's name, referencing paragraph 209. He explains why the Israelites refrained from pronouncing the sacred name, substituting it with titles like Adonai (Lord) in Hebrew and Kyrios in Greek.

"Out of respect for the holiness of God, the people of Israel do not pronounce his name. In your Bible translations...instead of having the sacred name YHWH, what it'll have is LORD all capitalized."
[12:20]

He clarifies common confusions, such as the phrase "The Lord is God," emphasizing that "Lord" represents the sacred name YHWH.

Jesus and the Divine Name

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to understanding Jesus Christ's role in bearing the divine name. Fr. Mike references John 8, where Jesus declares, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am." This affirmation underscores Jesus' divinity and His unity with the Father.

"Jesus reveals that he himself bears the divine name... He is claiming I am the same God, that exact same one God."
[18:50]

He connects this revelation to the concept of the Trinity, affirming that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are co-equal and co-eternal, sharing the same divine essence.

Conclusion and Encouragement

Fr. Mike concludes the episode by reflecting on the depth and richness of the Catechism's teachings. He encourages listeners to appreciate the narrative approach of the Catechism, which weaves doctrinal facts into the broader story of God's interaction with humanity.

"God has entered into our lives. He created existence because he is existence itself, but he's entered himself. He's put himself into our story."
[25:30]

He ends with an exhortation to continue the journey through the Catechism, offering prayers and blessings for the listeners' ongoing faith formation.

"Day 29, you guys, well done. Keep it up... I cannot wait to see you tomorrow. God bless."
[30:45]

Key Takeaways

• The Tetragrammaton (YHWH): Represents God's self-existence and eternal presence.
• Mystery of God's Name: Balances revelation and the ineffable nature of God.
• Divine Relationship: God's name signifies His desire for a personal relationship with humanity.
• Reverence: Emphasizes the sacredness of God's name and the appropriate respect in its usage.
• Jesus as Divine: Affirms Jesus Christ's divinity and unity with the Godhead through the revelation of His name.

Notable Quotes

• "God reveals his name as the tetragrammaton... I am who I am."
  [02:15]

• "This revealing of God's name is mysterious, just as God is mystery."
  [04:30]

• "By revealing his name, God at the same time reveals his faithfulness..."
  [06:45]

• "Out of respect for the holiness of God, the people of Israel do not pronounce his name."
  [12:20]

• "Jesus reveals that he himself bears the divine name... He is claiming I am the same God."
  [18:50]

• "God is the God who makes himself close to men."
  [22:10]

• "Day 29, you guys, well done. Keep it up... I cannot wait to see you tomorrow. God bless."
  [30:45]

This episode offers a deep theological exploration of God's name, encouraging listeners to reflect on the mystery, reverence, and relational aspects tied to it. Through biblical exegesis and Catechism insights, Fr. Mike Schmitz guides believers towards a more profound understanding of God's identity and His desire for intimate fellowship with humanity.