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

Episode: Day 32: The Most Holy Trinity (2026)
Date: February 1, 2026
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz | Ascension
Readings: Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 232–237

Overview: The Central Mystery of the Christian Faith

This episode marks a pivotal moment in the Catechism in a Year journey as Fr. Mike explores the doctrine of the Most Holy Trinity—“the core of everything we believe as Christians” (01:14). Fr. Mike unpacks the meaning and implications of the Trinity, introducing the essential theological terms “theology” (theologia) and “economy” (oikonomia). Through prayer, reflection, and clear explanation, listeners are guided to see the unity, depth, and beauty of God’s inner life as a communion of love—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—revealed and shared with us.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Name of the Trinity & Christian Identity

[02:48–04:22]

• Christians are baptized and pray in the singular “name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” highlighting both unity and the threefold personhood of God.
• This formula is foundational:
  “Every time we make the sign of the cross, we are highlighting...the three divine persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. But...we’re also highlighting the unity of God.” (10:47)

2. The Trinity as the Central Mystery of Faith

[04:28–06:35]

• The Trinity is not just any doctrine—it is the bedrock upon which all Christian belief rests:
  “The faith of all Christians rests on the Trinity.” (10:13)
• The Catechism states that the Trinity is:
  • The mystery of God in himself.
  • The source of all other mysteries of faith.
  • The most fundamental and essential teaching in the hierarchy of truths.
  • All salvation history is the history of the one true God—Father, Son, Holy Spirit—revealing, reconciling, and uniting us to himself.

3. “Theology” and “Economy”: Understanding God and His Works

[06:37–11:23]

• Fr. Mike clarifies these key concepts:
  • Theology (Theologia): The mystery of God’s inmost life—“who he is.”
  • Economy (Oikonomia): The “management of the house”—how God acts in the world, revealing and communicating his life.
• “Economy reveals his theologia—he reveals his very deepest identity...The more we know his identity, the more we understand his actions.” (12:10)
• Analogy: Just as people reveal themselves through their actions, we come to know God through his works; conversely, knowing God helps us understand his works in the world.

4. The Trinity: Revealed, Not Reasoned Alone

[12:53–14:50]

• Though traces of the Trinity are evident in creation and the Old Testament (e.g., Genesis 1), the deep mystery of God’s triune nature was inaccessible to reason or even Israel’s faith prior to Christ and the sending of the Holy Spirit.
• Fr. Mike reflects on the gift of living in a time when God’s deepest identity is revealed:
  “Kings and prophets long to see what you see, but they didn’t see it.” (15:31)
• Emphasizes our privilege and the temptation to take this revelation for granted.

Memorable Quotes & Notable Moments

• On the singular “name” of the Trinity:
  “Every time we make the sign of the cross...we’re highlighting the unity of God, right? ...God is one divine being in three divine persons. I don't know if you ever caught that before, but it is incredible.”
  (10:47, Fr. Mike Schmitz)

• On the centrality of the Trinity:
  “If you were ever asked, what's the primary belief in the Christian faith?...The heart, the faith of all Christians, rests on the Trinity.”
  (11:19, Fr. Mike Schmitz)

• On theology and economy:
  “Economia, right, is God's works...But economia reveals his theologia, right?...What he does reveals to us who he is.”
  (12:10, Fr. Mike Schmitz)

• On our privilege in salvation history:
  “Think of all the people who have never realized that, have never known that. And then think about the fact that we can sometimes be so quick to take that for granted.”
  (15:54, Fr. Mike Schmitz)

• On the cycle of knowing God:
  “It is a virtuous cycle...The more we know God, the more we understand his actions. The more we understand his actions, the better we are able to know him.”
  (12:54, Fr. Mike Schmitz)

Key Timestamps

• 00:05–01:14 – Introduction, context for the day’s readings, outline of main themes.
• 01:56–02:38 – Explanation of “theology” (theologia) and “economy” (oikonomia).
• 04:22–06:09 – Catechism reading regarding the Trinity as the central Christian mystery.
• 10:13 – The faith of all Christians rests on the Trinity.
• 10:47 – The singular “name” of the Trinity in prayer and baptism.
• 12:10 – Analogy connecting God’s works and being; the virtuous cycle of knowing God.
• 14:50–15:54 – The unknown mystery of the Trinity before Christ; our privileged position.

Closing Reflection

Fr. Mike closes in gratitude, urging listeners never to take for granted the revelation of God’s deepest identity—“He is love”—and our place in that love. He encourages ongoing prayer for openness and understanding as the journey through the Catechism continues.

“Please know I am praying for you. And please, please pray for me. My name is Father Mike. I cannot wait to see you tomorrow. God bless.” (16:34, Fr. Mike Schmitz)