Summary of "Day 33: God as Father" from The Catechism in a Year Podcast with Fr. Mike Schmitz
In the 33rd episode of The Catechism in a Year podcast, titled "God as Father," Fr. Mike Schmitz delves deep into the Catholic understanding of God’s fatherhood as articulated in paragraphs 238 to 242 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. This episode, released on February 2, 2025, explores the profound revelation of God as Father, emphasizing the unique relationship within the Holy Trinity and its implications for believers.
Introduction: Encountering God's Fatherhood
Fr. Mike begins the episode by setting the stage for Day 33, aligning Jesus' 33-year earthly life with the reading of specific Catechism paragraphs. He emphasizes the use of Ascension’s Foundations of Faith approach, a color-coded reading plan designed to illuminate the Catechism's structure, making it accessible and comprehensible.
"Today we're talking about God not only analogously as Father but realizing this, our fatherhood, all fatherhood comes from God's fatherhood."
(01:30)
God as Father in Religious Context
Fr. Mike contrasts the Catholic understanding of God as Father with how other religions perceive and invoke God. While many religions refer to God as the Father of gods and men, the Catholic perspective takes this a step further by highlighting the intimate and eternal relationship between the Father and the Son.
"Many religions might invoke God as Father. And yet, at the beginning of Israel, there's this hint that God loves you like a father."
(04:45)
In the context of Israel, God’s fatherhood is demonstrated through His role as Creator and His covenant with His people, emphasizing His protective and nurturing nature towards the poor, orphaned, and widowed.
The Unique Revelation of the Father by the Son
A pivotal point in the episode is the exploration of how Jesus uniquely reveals God as Father. Fr. Mike underscores that God’s fatherhood is not merely analogous but is an essential aspect of the Holy Trinity’s nature.
"Jesus revealed that God is Father in an unheard of sense, that he's eternally Father in relation to his only Son."
(15:20)
This eternal relationship within the Trinity—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—highlights God's essence as love and underscores the unity and equal divinity of each Person within the Godhead.
God’s Parental Tenderness and Human Analogy
Fr. Mike discusses the Catechism's explanation of God's parental tenderness, which can also be expressed through the image of motherhood, emphasizing God's immanence and the intimate connection between Creator and creation. He acknowledges the limitations of human analogies in fully encapsulating God's nature.
"The language of faith thus draws on the human experience of parents, who are, in a way, the first representatives of God for man."
(11:10)
He also touches on the fallibility of human parents, reminding listeners that God transcends these imperfections, embodying the perfect standard of fatherhood and motherhood.
"No one is Father as God is Father. This reality... it's really important, particularly when it comes to not only our personal healing but to understand what fatherhood is supposed to be."
(24:35)
The Trinitarian Essence of God’s Fatherhood
Delving deeper into theological doctrine, Fr. Mike references the Nicene Creed and the Council of Constantinople to affirm the consubstantial and coeternal nature of the Trinity. He emphasizes that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit act in complete unity, reflecting the inseparable and divine bond that defines their relationship.
"The Father is also with us. We pray to the Son and ask Jesus to be with us and to present us to His Father."
(28:50)
This unity within the Trinity illustrates that whenever one Person acts, the entire Godhead acts in perfect harmony, a mystery that underscores the depth of God's nature.
Practical Implications for Believers
Fr. Mike encourages listeners to embrace their identity as children of God, facilitated by the Holy Spirit and made possible through Jesus' redemptive work. He acknowledges the personal struggles individuals may face in relating to God as Father, especially those with troubled earthly father figures, and offers reassurance of God's perfect and unwavering fatherhood.
"If you had a rough relationship with your father... God the Father is opposite that."
(22:15)
He urges believers to lean into the divine fatherhood of God, recognizing that while human fathers may fall short, God remains the perfect and eternal Father, offering healing and understanding.
Conclusion: Embracing God's Loving Fatherhood
Fr. Mike wraps up the episode with a prayer that encapsulates the themes discussed, inviting listeners to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance in understanding and deepening their relationship with God as Father. He reiterates the Trinitarian presence in believers’ lives, assuring them of God's constant companionship and love.
"God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit love you. And they're with you right now, with me right now."
(30:10)
He concludes by encouraging continued prayer and reflection, fostering a personal and communal connection with the divine Trinity.
Key Takeaways:
- Unique Fatherhood: Unlike other religions, Catholicism presents God’s fatherhood as an eternal and intimate relationship within the Holy Trinity.
- Trinitarian Unity: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit act in complete unity, embodying the essence of God as love.
- Human Analogies: While human experiences of fatherhood and motherhood help in understanding God’s nature, they fall short of capturing His divine perfection.
- Personal Healing: Embracing God as the perfect Father offers healing and clarity, especially for those with troubled familial relationships.
- Prayer and Relationship: Consistent prayer and reflection deepen the believer’s relationship with God, affirming His constant presence and love.
This episode invites listeners to reflect on the profound and unique nature of God’s fatherhood, encouraging a deeper understanding and personal connection with the divine through the lens of Catholic teaching.