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

Day 30: God Is Who Is

Date: January 30, 2026
Readings: Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) paragraphs 212–221
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz

Episode Overview

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz explores three fundamental attributes of God as revealed in the Catechism and Sacred Scripture: God’s existence (“God alone is”), His Truth, and His Love. Fr. Mike emphasizes that these attributes reflect the heart of Christian faith and deepen our understanding of God’s identity and His relationship with us. The episode is rich with scriptural references and reflections on how these divine qualities invite us into trust and transformative love.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Scripture as Foundation

• Fr. Mike notes the abundance of scriptural references in the Catechism passages, underscoring the inseparable connection between the Catechism and the Bible. Nearly every sentence in these paragraphs is rooted in Scripture.

  • “Almost no sentence in what I’m going to read today doesn’t involve some quotation of scripture… which is not just remarkable, it’s notable.” (02:08)

2. God Alone Is: The Divine Name and Existence

• Israel’s unique faith is rooted in the revelation of God’s name: “I Am Who Am.”
• God is existence itself—not just a being among others, but being itself. He is without origin or end; all creatures exist only in relation to Him.

  • “When we say God is, He is existence itself.… Fullness of being and every perfection, without origin, without end.” (09:22)

• God is the only necessary being; everything else is contingent.

3. God Is Truth

• God’s truthfulness: He is light, and in Him, there is no darkness (cf. 1 John 1:5). Everything He speaks is true, and His promises are unfailingly trustworthy.

  • “If God is truth, that means His promises will always come true.” (04:38)

  • “One can abandon oneself in full trust to the truth and faithfulness of His word in all things.” (14:15, paraphrasing CCC 215)

• The beginning of sin: Humanity’s first fall originated with a lie from the tempter, leading to doubt of God’s word and faithfulness (cf. Genesis 3).

4. God Is Love

• God’s one motive in revealing Himself: Sheer gratuitous love—not loneliness or need for attention, but an abundant, overflowing love for His creatures.

  • “It was not because he was lonely. It was not because he needed attention… The reason is his sheer gratuitous love.” (16:16)

• God’s love is compared to:
  • A father’s love for a son
  • A mother’s love for her children (but even greater)
  • A bridegroom for his bride
• God’s faithfulness persists despite humanity’s greatest infidelities (cf. Hosea’s story).

  • “God loves his people more than a bridegroom his beloved. His love will be victorious over even the worst infidelities…” (17:16)

  • “God’s love is everlasting.” (18:50)

5. The Innermost Secret of God: The Trinity Is Eternal Love

• Culminating revelation (CCC 221): God’s deepest mystery is that He is an eternal exchange of love—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—into which we are invited.

  • “By sending his only Son and the Spirit of love, in the fullness of time, God has revealed his innermost secret…. God himself is an eternal exchange of love, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And he has destined us to share in that exchange.” (19:10, paraphrasing CCC 221)

• Why this is unique to Christianity:
  • Pre-Christian religions might say "God loves," but Christianity alone can say "God is love" because of the revelation of God as a communion of persons—Trinity.

  • “If God is simply monolithic… he could not be love. But because God is a trinity… God is love.” (21:22)

6. Our Identity: Made for Love

• Because we are made in God’s image, our identity is rooted in receiving and giving love.

  • “If his innermost secret is that he is love, you are made in God’s image and likeness. What does that mean about you? …Your deepest identity is realized when you allow yourself to be loved and to be a gift of love.” (22:35)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the gravity of today’s theme:

  “I am… I’m almost speechless in this moment right now, because… there is this crescendo at the very end of today’s reading…” (08:13)

• On trust in God’s promises:

  “We can abandon ourselves to the Lord because He is truth. He can neither deceive nor be deceived.” (14:37)

• On God’s motivation:

  “Why does God call us to worship Him? Because He loves us. He’s drawing us into relationship with Him.” (16:32)

• On God’s innermost secret:

  “Wouldn’t you want to know the innermost secret of God?... God himself is an eternal exchange of love, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And He has destined us to share in that exchange.” (19:31)

• On our vocation:

  “God himself is love. You are made for love. You’re made from love. You’re made for love. And God has destined you and I to share in that exchange of love.” (23:10)

Important Timestamps

• 02:08 – The scriptural richness of the Catechism readings
• 04:38 – God’s trustworthiness and truth
• 09:22 – God’s existence: Fullness of being, necessary being
• 14:15 – Trusting/believing God’s word in all things ([CCC 215])
• 16:16 – God’s love as unconditional and gratuitous
• 17:16 – Metaphors for God’s love; persistence through infidelity
• 19:10 – Revelation of the Trinity as love (the “innermost secret” of God)
• 21:22 – Uniqueness of “God is love” in Christianity
• 22:35 – The implication for our identity and vocation
• 23:10 – The call to participate in God’s eternal exchange of love

Tone and Language

Fr. Mike’s style is warm, passionate, and occasionally awe-struck, especially as he discusses the mystery of God’s inner life and our calling to participate in divine love. He uses accessible analogies, rhetorical questions, and personal excitement to illustrate the depth and beauty of Catholic faith.

Summary Takeaways

• God alone is: He is existence itself, uncreated and sustaining all things.
• God is truth: He is utterly trustworthy; His promises never fail. Sin entered the world through doubting His truth and love.
• God is love: This is not just something He does, but what He is—in His very being as a Trinity of persons. We are made to share in this eternal exchange.
• Invitation: The more we trust in God’s truth and let ourselves be loved, the more we discover our true identity and fulfill our vocation.

Fr. Mike concludes by reminding listeners of their dignity and destiny:

“I’m praying for you. Please pray for me. …You are made for love. …God has destined you and I to share in that exchange of love.” (23:10)