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

Episode Summary: Day 338—Intercession and Thanksgiving

Episode Date: December 4, 2025
Catechism Paragraphs: 2634–2638

Episode Overview

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz dives into the forms of prayer known as intercession and thanksgiving, continuing the Catechism’s exploration of how Christians communicate with God. He explains how these prayers situate us within the communion of saints and reveal the heart of Christian life—fostering a spirit of community, empathy, and gratitude in all circumstances.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Intercession: Sharing in Christ’s Prayer

• Definition & Practice

  • Intercession is “a prayer of petition which leads us to pray as Jesus did.” (04:41)
  • Jesus is the one intercessor with the Father, especially on behalf of sinners.
  • When we intercede, we participate in Jesus’ ongoing mediation.

• Biblical Roots

  • Since Abraham, intercession has characterized “a heart attuned to God’s mercy.”
    • Fr. Mike highlights Abraham’s plea for Sodom and Gomorrah: “He is interceding on behalf of the people because he has a heart like God’s heart. It’s just remarkable.” (05:50)

• Communion of Saints

  • In the age of the Church, intercessory prayer expresses and strengthens the “communion of saints”:

    “We belong to each other. That’s one of the reasons why we know that we can pray for each other.” (06:35)

  • Intercession extends everywhere: for all people, rulers, persecutors, and even those who reject the gospel.

• Praying to Saints: Catholic Practice Explained

  • Fr. Mike addresses common objections:

    “Sometimes…non-Catholic Christians…say, what’s up with…asking saints to pray for you? Because that seems like it goes against the Bible that says, don’t communicate with the dead.” (06:56)

  • He clarifies:
    • The Church condemns forbidden practices like necromancy and séances.
    • “God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of the living, not of the dead.”

      “All those who die in Christ are not dead, but they are alive.” (07:20)

    • Asking the saints’ help is not conjuring the dead but participating in Christian love through Christ.

• Communal Nature

  • Every Christian asks others for prayer:

    “You will not find a Christian who says, no, no, no, listen, you just talk to God alone. Of course, every Christian would say, of course, I’ll intercede on your behalf.” (07:47)

  • This extends to the saints in heaven, who, “having been made righteous by the grace of God…are in his presence at this moment.” (08:45)
  • “That should also bring joy to us in our lives, that we’re called to intercede while we’re living, to pray for each other and to pray for the needs of people close to us and people far away from us.” (09:19)

2. Thanksgiving: Prayer at the Heart of the Church

• Core of Christian Worship

  • “Thanksgiving characterizes the prayer of the Church, which, in celebrating the Eucharist, reveals and becomes more fully what she is.” (09:28)
    • Fr. Mike notes Eucharist literally means “thanksgiving” in Greek.
  • Christ sets creation free for the Father’s glory, and our thanks is a participation in this return.

• Transforming Every Moment

  • “Just like our prayer of petition, every event and every need can become an offering of thanksgiving.” (10:24)
  • St. Paul’s exhortation:

    “‘Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.’ That comes from 1st Thessalonians, chapter 5, verse 18.” (10:42)

  • “If we’re going through a rough time…God, thank you for this time. This is purifying me. If we’re going through grief…God, I thank you.” (10:50)

• Thanksgiving in Grief

  • Reflecting on sorrow and loss, Fr. Mike shares:

    “The depth of that grief…I think, in so many ways matches up with the depth of our love…the more we loved, the more we feel the loss.” (11:10)

  • Even amid grief:

    “…there’s room for thanksgiving. Because even when I don’t have that person, the reality is I only have this sense of loss because I loved…because they were such a great gift.” (11:29–11:56)

  • The challenge and invitation:

    “How can I actually find God’s presence? How can I actually find God’s goodness? How can I actually find the gift in the midst of the grief…and to truly give thanks in all circumstances?” (12:22–12:37)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Intercession and the Communion of Saints

  “That’s just part of what brings joy to the saints in heaven is their ability to pray for us, their ability to intercede on our behalf.” (09:14)

• On Thanksgiving Among Loss

  “I only have this grief because they were such a great gift. And there’s something about that that can lead us to a place of thanksgiving in all circumstances.” (11:56)

• Practical Takeaway

  “My invitation for all of us today, right now, is what am I thankful for in this moment, in this season?...How can I actually find the gift in the midst of the grief? And to truly give thanks in all circumstances? Because we know that this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for us.” (12:06–12:37)

Important Timestamps

• [02:42]—Reading from the Catechism: Intercession & Thanksgiving
• [04:41]—Fr. Mike’s Commentary: Intercession as sharing in Christ’s mediation
• [06:35]—Explanation of the communion of saints & praying for others
• [07:47]—Addressing objections to asking saints for prayer
• [09:28]—Introducing thanksgiving; Eucharist as thanksgiving
• [10:42]—Scriptural roots: “Give thanks in all circumstances…”
• [11:10]+—Reflection on grief, love, and the surprising place for gratitude

Final Thoughts

This episode provides a profound look at two central Christian practices—interceding for others and cultivating gratitude. Fr. Mike’s gentle, relatable approach brings out the spiritual richness of these forms of prayer, inviting listeners to let every circumstance become an occasion for meeting God, and to allow both joy and sorrow to shape their hearts in love and thanksgiving.

“Please know I’m praying for you. Please pray for me. My name is Father Mike. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow. God bless.” (12:49)