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

Episode: Day 351 — The Prayer of the Hour of Jesus (2025)

Date: December 17, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Reading: Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 2746–2751
Theme: Exploring Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer (“The Prayer of the Hour of Jesus”) as found in John 17 and its significance in Catholic teaching and unity.

Episode Overview

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz guides listeners through the Catechism’s teaching on “the prayer of the Hour of Jesus” — the powerful prayer Jesus offers at the Last Supper in John 17, known as the High Priestly Prayer. Fr. Mike unpacks how this prayer encapsulates Jesus’ self-offering, his desire for unity, and the culmination of his mission, and invites listeners to enter more deeply into Jesus’ prayer and desire for Christian unity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The “Hour” of Jesus: Context and Importance

[02:10]

• The Catechism notes this prayer is the longest prayer of Jesus recorded in the Gospels.
• It “embraces the whole economy of creation and salvation, as well as his death and resurrection.”
• Fr. Mike’s Reflection:

  “If you’ve never had a chance to just simply read John, chapter 17, that prayer of Jesus… my invitation is that you take some time today.” — [02:26]

2. The Paschal and Sacrificial Nature of the Prayer

[04:52] Catechism §2748

• Jesus’ prayer is inseparable from his sacrifice—his “passing over to the Father, to whom he is wholly consecrated.”
• Everything is recapitulated in Christ:
  • God and the world
  • The Word and the flesh
  • Eternal life and time
  • The love that gives itself up and the sin that betrays
  • The disciples present and future believers
  • Humiliation and glory
• Fr. Mike summarizes:

  “In this paschal and sacrificial prayer, everything is recapitulated in Jesus Christ…” — [05:47]

• He highlights the cosmic scale—creation, salvation, death, resurrection are all present.

3. The Son’s Relationship with the Father

[06:12]

• Fr. Mike underscores the unique relationship:

  “Here is the only begotten Son, right? The Son of God by nature. Here you are. Here we are in baptism, adopted sons and daughters by adoption. And so how Jesus prays as Son, we get to pray as sons and daughters.”

• Quotes John 17:1–2 (“Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you…”)
• References Philippians 2 and the humility of Christ, tying to Jesus’ glorification being oriented toward the Father.

4. The Prayer of Unity: Jesus Prays for Us

[09:14] John 17:20

• Jesus explicitly prays for his future followers (“those who will believe in me through their word”).
• Fr. Mike’s memorable highlight:

  “This line, John 17:20, is the one time, I think maybe it’s the only time… where it’s very, very clear that Jesus is praying for you.” — [10:01]

The Pain of Division and Longing for Unity

[11:17]

• Fr. Mike relates the reality of Christian division, especially visible at Catholic Mass when non-Catholics cannot receive Communion.

• “For the most part, [division] doesn’t bother us… until that moment right in Mass, where all of a sudden you feel the division and you feel the fact that, oh, we’re not united. And that becomes a moment… of pain.” — [11:41]

• Notes Jesus’ prayer for unity at the Last Supper, the same context in which he instituted the Eucharist.

Inviting Listeners into Jesus’ Unity

• Fr. Mike shares a personal practice:

  “Let’s transform that pain into prayer… Let’s take a moment right now and pray for the heart of Jesus, that we have the same heart in our hearts as Jesus has. That heart that longs for unity, that heart that begs the Father for unity.” — [13:32]

• Emphasizes the need to “let Jesus’ prayer become our prayer… [his] heart that longs for unity to be our heart.”

5. Entering into Jesus’ Prayer: The Lord’s Prayer Connection

[15:02] Catechism §2750

• By entering into Jesus’ name, “we can accept from within the prayer he teaches us — the Our Father.”
• Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer fulfills the great petitions of the Lord’s Prayer:
  • Concern for the Father’s Name (Hallowed be Thy name)
  • Passionate zeal for His kingdom (Thy kingdom come)
  • Accomplishment of the Father’s Will (Thy will be done)
  • Salvation and deliverance from evil (Deliver us from evil)

“By entering into the holy name of the Lord Jesus, we can accept from within the prayer he teaches us, the Our Father… his priestly prayer fulfills from within the great petitions of the Lord’s Prayer.” — [15:08]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “This is the prayer of unity. Jesus fulfilled the work of the Father completely. His prayer, like his sacrifice, extends until the end of time.” — Catechism summary [04:30]
• “Here’s the prayer: Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, so that the Son may glorify you. Jesus Christ is Lord. But the rest of the prayer goes on to say… every knee must bend… Every tongue proclaim Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the Father.” — Fr. Mike [07:28]
• “John 17:20… there’s a moment in the Bible here where Jesus specifically prays for you… so powerful and beautiful.” — Fr. Mike [10:01]
• About division at Mass:

  “We’re cool with not being one. We’re cool with being divided for the most part until we get to that moment in Mass where we realize… We’re not supposed to be divided. We’re not supposed to be like this. We’re meant to be unified…” — [12:30]

• On transforming pain into prayer for unity:

  “We transform that pain into prayer… We pray for the unity of all Christians once again. Be united around one altar with one shepherd.” — [13:55]

• On entering into the Our Father:

  “By entering into the holy name of the Lord Jesus, we can accept from within the prayer he teaches us, the Our Father… we're going to go through these in the next number of days.” — [15:08]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:05 — Fr. Mike’s welcome and intro
• 02:10 — Theme and context: The Prayer of the Hour of Jesus
• 04:30 — Catechism’s summary: Jesus’ prayer and its scope
• 05:47 — What is recapitulated in Christ
• 07:28 — The glory of the Son and the glory of the Father
• 10:01 — Jesus prays directly for all believers (John 17:20)
• 11:41 — The pain of division at Mass, longing for unity
• 13:32 — Transforming pain of division into a prayer for unity
• 15:02 — Entering into the Our Father; Jesus’ prayer as fulfillment
• 16:15 — Preview: Next episode on the nuggets and final dive into the Our Father

Takeaways for Listeners

• Read John 17 to hear Jesus’ heart as he prays for his disciples and for us.
• The High Priestly Prayer is a culmination of Jesus’ mission, summarizing all of creation and salvation history in himself.
• Jesus prays for unity — not just for the apostles, but for all future believers.
• Times of Christian division, especially felt at Mass, are invitations to pray for unity, echoing Jesus’ own prayer.
• The connection between the High Priestly Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer (Our Father) underscores the depth and universality of Christian petition.
• The next episodes will dive into the Lord’s Prayer—encouraging listeners to journey deeper into the heart of Christian prayer.

Fr. Mike’s Closing Encouragement:

“I’m praying for you. Please pray for me. My name is Fr. Mike. I cannot wait to see you tomorrow. God bless.” — [16:40]