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

Episode: Day 320: The Truth (2025)
Date: November 16, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz (Ascension)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz continues the journey through the Catechism of the Catholic Church, focusing on the Eighth Commandment: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” The episode explores the meaning of “truth” in the Christian context, the human vocation to witness to the truth, and the supreme example of bearing witness—martyrdom. Fr. Mike discusses both objective and subjective truth, the call to live authentically, and the practical implications of being a witness to Christ, not just in speech but through the way we live our lives.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Introduction to the Eighth Commandment

[02:02]

• The Eighth Commandment forbids “misrepresenting the truth in our relations with others.”
• This flows from the “vocation of the holy people to bear witness to their God who is the truth and wills the truth.”
• Bearing false witness undermines both moral uprightness and trust within the community.

Quote:

"The Eighth Commandment forbids misrepresenting the truth in our relations with others."
— Fr. Mike Schmitz quoting Catechism 2464 [02:25]

2. God as the Source of Truth

[03:10]

• Old Testament: God’s word, law, and faithfulness are all described as truth.
• In Jesus, the fullness of truth is made manifest: “He came as the light of the world.”
• As followers, Christians are called to both live in and bear witness to the truth.

3. The Human Vocation to Seek and Live the Truth

[06:04]

• Humans are, by nature, drawn toward the truth due to intellect and the innate desire to know.
• Fr. Mike explains that even our very “mind is made for the truth.”
• Weaknesses—intellectual, emotional, or volitional—can lead us away from the truth, but our baseline is orientated towards it.

Quote:

"Every human being, by their very nature, is oriented toward the truth. It is only in our weakness that we choose something other than the truth."
— Fr. Mike Schmitz [07:40]

4. Defining Truth: Objective and Subjective Truths

[08:29]

• Fr. Mike offers a straightforward definition: “Truth is what is.”
• Differentiates between subjective truths (“I like caribou coffee”) and objective truths (“A medium black coffee is $2.50 at Caribou”).
• Subjective truths pertain to personal experience or preference; objective truths relate to external reality.

Quote:

"Truth is simply what is. ... There’s not only subjective truth; there’s also objective truth."
— Fr. Mike Schmitz [09:30]

5. Moral Obligation to Adhere to the Truth

[11:37]

• Not enough to seek truth; upon recognizing it, we are "morally bound to adhere to [it] and to direct our whole life in accordance with the demands of truth.”
• Applies especially to religious truth and its demands on life and practice.
• Living contrary to known truth violates one’s integrity and the Eighth Commandment.

6. Truth as Social Foundation and the Virtue of Truthfulness

[13:00]

• Without mutual truthfulness, community is impossible.
• Truthfulness is a “virtue within justice”—giving each person their due.
• Fr. Mike notes the catechism’s balance between honesty and discretion: “the just mean between what ought to be expressed and what ought to be kept secret.”

7. Living and Bearing Witness to the Truth

[15:36]

• Offers an examination of conscience: Does my life bear witness to Christ, or just to myself?
• Raises the classic challenge: “If Christianity became illegal, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”
• Christianity should result in a life that looks distinct from the world’s norms.

8. Martyrdom: The Ultimate Witness

[20:05]

• Martyrdom—bearing witness to the truth even unto death—remains the full realization of the Eighth Commandment.
• Distinguishes between “red martyrs” (those who shed blood) and “white martyrs” (those who suffer or give witness through daily sacrifice).
• Most are called to the daily (“white”) martyrdom—laying down one’s life in small ways consistently.

Quote:

"Most likely it's not to be a red martyr, but it is to be a martyr, even if only drop by drop."
— Fr. Mike Schmitz [21:40]

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On our call to truth:

  "What is your intellect made for? Your mind is made for the truth."
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz [07:10]

• On subjective vs objective truth:

  "You could say, 'I like Papa John's,' like, great. That's wonderful. That's your truth. That's not my truth."
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz [09:00]

• On living the truth:

  "Once I come to know the truth, I am now morally bound to adhere to the truth once I come to know it, and not only that, to direct my whole life in accordance with the demands of truth."
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz [12:14]

• Challenge to listeners:

  "If Christianity became illegal and you're brought into court and accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict?"
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz [16:55]

• On daily witness (martyrdom):

  "They shed their blood for Jesus drop by drop, just on a daily basis, just bearing witness to him… and that's what most likely God's destiny is for you."
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz [21:20]

Important Segment Timestamps

• Introduction and Opening Prayer: [00:00–02:00]
• Reading of Catechism Paragraphs 2464–2474: [02:00–10:15]
• Defining Truth and Its Implications: [10:15–13:40]
• Truthfulness, Justice, and Discretion: [13:41–15:36]
• Living as Witnesses (Everyday Life & Scandal): [15:37–19:00]
• Martyrdom as Supreme Witness: [20:05–22:37]
• Closing Reflection: [22:38–end]

Episode Tone

Warm, thoughtful, and direct. Fr. Mike combines catechetical teaching, practical reflection, and challenging personal application, often using rhetorical questions and relatable examples. The tone encourages listeners to self-examination and a deeper commitment to living out Catholic beliefs in visible, authentic ways.

Key Takeaways for Listeners

• Truth is foundational to authentic Christian life and witness.
• Christians must seek, embrace, and live the truth, especially when difficult.
• Living truthfully involves both speech and action and sometimes requires discretion.
• Ultimate witness to the truth is martyrdom: most are called to a “white martyrdom,” daily self-sacrifice for Christ.
• Examine whether your life would be recognized as distinctly Christian by those around you.

Prepared for those seeking a comprehensive yet clear summary of this deep and challenging catechetical episode.