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

Episode: Day 29: Knowing the Name of God (2026)
Date: January 29, 2026
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Reading: Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paragraphs 205–211

Overview:

This episode dives into the profound mystery of God’s revealed name as encountered by Moses at the burning bush―the origin and significance of the divine name "I AM" (YHWH). Fr. Mike explores both the history and theology surrounding God’s name: its mysterious nature, its connection to God’s faithfulness and mercy, and the reverence with which it is treated. He highlights how this revelation is central to the understanding of God's relationship with humanity, and draws connections between Old Testament revelation and the person of Jesus Christ.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Revelation of God’s Name to Moses

[03:51 – 07:23]

• God calls Moses from the burning bush and reveals Himself as “the God of your fathers… the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” (Exodus 3).
• When Moses asks for God’s name, God answers: "I am who I am… Say this to the people of Israel, I AM has sent me to you."
• Fr. Mike notes the importance of this moment:

  "A name makes oneself accessible and invites into relationship."
  (00:37)

2. The Mystery of God’s Name ("YHWH")

[07:24 – 09:10]

• The divine name, spelled as “YHWH” (Tetragrammaton), is mysterious and almost unpronounceable. It translates as “I am who am” or “I am who I am.”
• The catechism states:

  “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.”
  (Fr. Mike quoting CCC 206, 01:38)

• Fr. Mike reflects on this apparent contradiction as beautiful and moving, expressing how it communicates both God's nearness and incomprehensibility.

3. Theological Meaning: God is Existence Itself

[09:11 – 10:02]

• God’s name as “I AM” means He is existence itself—completely independent, self-sufficient, and eternal.
• Fr. Mike elaborates:

  "He is the hidden God. His Name is ineffable, and he is the God who makes himself close to men."
  (paraphrased, 08:23)

4. God’s Faithfulness and Human Insignificance

[10:03 – 11:45]

• “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.”
• Human beings, in the face of God’s holiness, discover their own insignificance—Moses removes his sandals, Isaiah cries, “Woe is me,” Peter says, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man.”
• Fr. Mike connects this to us:

  “When we realize who God is, and when we realize who we are, we realize our own insignificance. We realize his glory.”
  (12:08)

5. The Reverence for God’s Name in Israel

[11:46 – 13:14]

• Out of deep respect, the Jewish people do not pronounce God’s revealed name. Instead, they substitute "Adonai" (Hebrew for “Lord”) or "Kyrios" (Greek).
• In Scripture, the term “LORD” in all capitals often replaces the actual name YHWH.
• Fr. Mike explains:

  "If you're ever reading your Bible and you see LORD capitalized, that's a replacement for the actual name of the Lord God."
  (13:01)

6. God’s Mercy and Forgiveness

[13:15 – 15:26]

• Despite Israel’s repeated unfaithfulness (e.g., worship of the golden calf), God (YHWH) reveals Himself as “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.”
• This mercy culminates in God’s ultimate act: By giving His life in Christ, He reveals Himself as “rich in mercy.”

7. Jesus Christ Bears the Divine Name

[15:27 – 16:50]

• Jesus identifies Himself with the divine name. In John 8, He says, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am.”
• Fr. Mike remarks:

  "He's not claiming to be another God. He's claiming I am the same God, that exact same one God."
  (16:28)

• This is foundational for the Christian understanding of the Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are “co-equal, co-eternal, same God.”

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On the paradox of God’s name:

  “It is at once a name revealed and something like the refusal of a name. … That hits my heart, right? Because sometimes I’m like, oh, golly, I don’t even know, Lord.” (01:56, Fr. Mike reflecting)

• On God’s intimacy and otherness:

  “His name is ineffable. … He is the God who makes himself close to men, so close to us.” (10:00)

• On reverence for God’s name:

  “The people of Israel do not pronounce his name… That means if you’re ever reading your Bible and you see LORD all capitalized, that’s a replacement for the actual name of the Lord God.” (13:01)

• On Jesus’s claim to divinity:

  “Jesus reveals that he himself bears the divine name… He is the same God.” (16:28)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:37] — Introduction to today’s reading theme: God’s name
• [01:38] — Paradoxical nature of God’s revealed name (CCC 206)
• [03:51] — The call of Moses and the burning bush narrative
• [07:24] — The Tetragrammaton and mystery of God’s name
• [10:03] — God’s faithfulness and our “insignificance”
• [13:01] — Reverence for and substitution of God’s name in Scripture
• [15:27] — Jesus’s direct claim to the divine name in John’s Gospel

Conclusion & Final Takeaways

Fr. Mike emphasizes the incredible gift of knowing God’s name—not simply as a theological fact, but as the foundation of personal relationship. God’s name reveals both His mystery and His closeness, His faithfulness in the face of our infidelity, and His mercy that culminates in Jesus Christ. The day’s catechism sections challenge listeners to deeper awe and loving intimacy with the God “who is,” as well as to the reverence owed to His holy name.

Fr. Mike’s final encouragement:

“Tomorrow, day 30—one day away from the big three-oh. So let’s keep it going. I am praying for you. Please pray for me. … God bless.” (17:22)