Podcast Summary: The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) – Day 33: God as Father

Episode Date: February 2, 2026
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Reading: Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) paragraphs 238–242
Main Theme: Exploring the revelation of God as “Father”—what this means in Christian doctrine, its distinctiveness from other religions, and the implications for faith and relationship with God.

Episode Overview

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz delves into the Catechism’s teaching on God as Father. The discussion covers how God reveals himself as Father both in Israel’s history and, in a unique and unprecedented way, through Jesus Christ. Fr. Mike explains how the notion of God’s fatherhood shapes our understanding of the Trinity and our personal relationship with God. This episode is affectionately called “Father’s Day,” given the focus on the Father in the Trinity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. God as Father in the History of Faith

(00:32 – 03:15)

• Many religions invoke God as “Father,” as creator or origin, but Christianity adds depth to this word.
• In Israel, God is called Father as creator, covenant-giver, protector—especially of the poor, orphaned, and widowed.
• Quote:
  • "Many religions might invoke God as Father...but we're going to find out that Jesus revealed that God is Father in an unheard of sense."
    —Fr. Mike Schmitz (01:11)
• The use of “father” in Scripture reflects both origin (“first source of everything and transcendent authority”) and loving parental care.

2. God is Not Limited by Human Categories

(04:05 – 07:50)

• The Catechism recognizes limitations of language—God’s fatherhood is not simply human fatherhood “writ large.”
• God transcends human distinction between sexes; He is not male or female.
• Our experiences of human parents are analogies but are always imperfect—God is the perfect Father and the origin/standard of all parenthood.
• If one has a painful relationship with their earthly father, God’s fatherhood is the “opposite” of whatever is lacking in that relationship.
• Quote:
  • "No one is Father as God is Father."
    —CCC, echoed by Fr. Mike (07:23)

3. The Unheard-of Sense: God as Eternal Father

(07:50 – 10:20)

• Jesus reveals God as Father not just as creator, but “eternally Father” in relation to His only Son, who is eternally Son.
• This expresses God’s identity within himself: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—not just what God does, but who God is.
• Quote:
  • "Jesus revealed that God is Father in an unheard of sense. He is Father not only in being Creator, he is eternally Father in relation to his only Son, who is eternally Son only in relation to His Father."
    —Fr. Mike reading the Catechism (08:02)
• God’s “deepest identity is love.”
• The Trinity is not just a doctrine but is at the core of God’s being and our relationship with Him.

4. Foundations of Doctrine in Scripture and Creed

(10:20 – 12:10)

• The New Testament affirms this eternal relationship:
  • John 1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
• This faith is confessed in the “Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed,” especially in the phrases:
  • “God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten not made, consubstantial with the Father.”
• The Creed emphasizes:
  • Jesus is not a created being but shares the Father’s very being.
  • All Persons of the Trinity are consubstantial, coeternal, coequal.

5. Implications for Believers: God’s Presence and Relationship

(12:10 – end)

• We are called into intimacy with this God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
• Where one Person of the Trinity is or acts, the whole Trinity is present.
• Praying to any one Person of the Trinity is praying to God.
• God is with every believer—no one is alone.
• Quote:
  • "Where one person of the Trinity is, the entire Trinity is. When one person acts, the whole Trinity acts. And God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit love you. And they're with you right now, with me right now."
    —Fr. Mike (12:40)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• 01:11: "Many religions might invoke God as Father...but we're going to find out that Jesus revealed that God is Father in an unheard of sense."
• 07:23: "No one is Father as God is Father."
• 08:02: "Jesus revealed that God is Father in an unheard of sense. He is Father not only in being Creator, he is eternally Father in relation to his only Son, who is eternally Son only in relation to His Father."
• 12:40: "Where one person of the Trinity is, the entire Trinity is. When one person acts, the whole Trinity acts. And God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit love you. And they're with you right now, with me right now."

Segment Timestamps

• 00:32 – 03:15: Introduction to the episode’s theme and reading
• 04:05 – 07:50: Explanation of God’s fatherhood, gender, and transcending human categories
• 07:50 – 10:20: God as eternally Father; Trinity as God’s deepest identity
• 10:20 – 12:10: The Creed and scriptural foundations
• 12:10 – end: Practical application—God’s presence, our relationship, remaining prayerful

Tone & Style

• Warm, enthusiastic, and pastoral—Fr. Mike combines catechetical clarity with genuine encouragement and empathy for listeners facing struggles with the concept of God as Father.
• Frequently reiterates the “remarkable” and “important” nature of current catechetical points.
• Concludes with an invitation to prayer, reinforcing the intimacy and accessibility of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

For Listeners New and Old

This episode offers a deep yet accessible dive into one of the foundational mysteries of Christian faith—the unique and eternal Fatherhood of God—within the context of the Catechism. Fr. Mike helps bridge doctrinal teaching and personal experience, showing how understanding God’s identity enriches our own.