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

Episode: Day 336: Jesus Hears Our Prayer (2025)

Date: December 2, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Reading: Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 2616–2622

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the reality that Jesus hears our prayers and examines how the prayers of the Virgin Mary are a model for every Christian. Fr. Mike explores the significance of faith-filled prayer—both spoken and silent—as witnessed in Scripture, and highlights the unique role of Mary as a model of cooperation and intercession. He also explains the Jesus Prayer, its roots, and its practical relevance for personal devotion.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jesus Responds to Our Prayer (00:50–03:45)

• Jesus answers prayers during his ministry as signs that anticipate his death and resurrection.
• Faith is central: “Jesus hears every prayer expressed in faith, expressed in words … or in silence.” (03:45)
• Various biblical examples:
  • Words: the leper, the Canaanite woman, the Good Thief.
  • Silence: bearers of the paralytic, woman with the hemorrhage, sinful woman who washes Jesus’ feet, the blind men at Jericho.

Notable Quote

“He hears your prayers uttered in silence … or the urgent request of the blind men: ‘Have mercy on us, Son of David.’ That has been the prayer of the Church.” (03:55)

2. The Jesus Prayer: Simplicity and Power (05:40–10:30)

• The Jesus Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
• Deeply rooted in the Eastern Church and encouraged as a recurring prayer, with variations (sometimes “Son of the living God”).
• Not a mantra but a dialogue with God:
  • “As Christians, we don’t repeat mantras. As Christians, we pray and we’re talking to someone.” (10:00)
• Encouraged as an act of contrition if needed in confession.

Notable Quote

“If I’m always having this—this awareness of Jesus—‘Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on me, a sinner,’ that’s also a very, very good act of contrition … Or just, even, ‘Jesus, have mercy on me. Jesus, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ That prayer is remarkable. And I just—I cannot recommend it enough because it’s so simple.” (09:05)

3. Mary’s Prayer as Model and Cooperation (11:00–15:15)

• Mary’s prayer is revealed “at the dawning of the fullness of time” (the Annunciation).
• Her fiat—“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word.”—is the essence of Christian prayer.
• Mary’s prayer at Cana (“They have no wine”) prefigures her ongoing intercession.
• The Magnificat (“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord…”) as a song of thanksgiving and faith for all believers.

Notable Quotes

“I don’t know if you’ve ever thought about the fact that that is a prayer: ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word.’ That fiat, ‘let it be,’ is so remarkable. And Mary is a model for prayer because she said, ‘Let it be done to me according to your word.’” (13:10)

“In between those scenes, we have the visitation … and she breaks into song … Mary responds … with the Magnificat. ‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord. My spirit rejoices in God my Savior.’ … That is, again, a model for prayer, just praising the Lord.” (14:30)

4. The Way Jesus Teaches Us to Pray (15:15–17:10)

• Jesus calls for prayer with:
  • Purified heart
  • Lively and persevering faith
  • Filial boldness (the confidence of children)
  • Vigilance (awareness)
  • Presenting petitions in his name
• “All of our prayer, we just ask the Holy Spirit to be able to teach us … and with this vigilance, where we are aware of what’s going on, and we present our petitions before God in the name of Jesus Christ himself.” (16:40)

Notable Quote

“That’s just powerful prayer, because that’s what Christian prayer is.” (16:50)

5. Encouragement to Pray, Not Only Talk About Prayer (17:20–End)

• Fr. Mike laments that prayer is only introduced in depth in the last part of the Catechism but emphasizes that praying is more important than talking about prayer.
• Ends by asking listeners to pray for him, as he is praying for them.

Memorable Closing Line

“It is more important to pray than to talk about prayer—so today, please, say a prayer and please pray for me. I’m praying for you.” (17:45)

Important Timestamps

• 00:50 – Overview of Jesus as the one who hears prayer
• 03:45 – Examples of prayer in faith (spoken and unspoken)
• 05:40 – Introduction and explanation of the Jesus Prayer
• 09:05 – Practical use of the Jesus Prayer for personal devotion and in confession
• 11:00 – Mary’s prayer: fiat and cooperation in salvation history
• 13:10 – The significance of Mary’s acceptance and obedience (“let it be”)
• 14:30 – The Magnificat as a model prayer
• 15:15 – Jesus’ teachings on the necessary dispositions for prayer
• 17:20 – Final encouragement to pray, not just learn about prayer

Episode Highlights & Memorable Moments

• Deep dive into the Jesus Prayer: How it’s used, why it’s not a mere mantra, and its power as a direct path to God.
• Mary’s fiat and Magnificat: Both as historic prayers and personal models for believers.
• Practical application: Fr. Mike’s constant reminder that prayer is a dialogue, not mere repetition, and that even the shortest prayer can be transformative.

Summary Table

| Segment | Theme/Content | Timestamp | |------------------------------- |-------------------------------------------------------------- |----------| | Jesus hears our prayer | Prayers in faith—spoken or silent—are heard by Jesus | 00:50 | | The Jesus Prayer explained | Practical, simple, and powerful Christian prayer | 05:40 | | Mary’s prayer as a model | Her fiat, intercession, and the Magnificat | 11:00 | | How Christ teaches us to pray | The five necessary dispositions of prayer | 15:15 | | Pray—don’t just talk about it | The most vital call: to actually pray | 17:20 |

Final Reflection

This episode offers a heartfelt and practical exploration of Christian prayer. Fr. Mike reminds listeners that the heart of prayer is relationship—whether modeled in the humble faith of Mary or the simplicity of the Jesus Prayer. He challenges us not just to learn about prayer but to become people of prayer, confident that Jesus always hears the voice of faith.

“It is more important to pray than to talk about prayer—so today, please, say a prayer and please pray for me. I’m praying for you.”
— Fr. Mike Schmitz (17:45)