Podcast Summary: The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) - Day 38: Summary of the Trinity

Introduction

In Day 38 of The Catechism in a Year podcast, Father Mike Schmitz provides a comprehensive summary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church's teachings on the Holy Trinity, covering paragraphs 261 to 267. This episode serves as a "nugget day," encapsulating key discussions and insights from the past readings on the Trinity, and deepening the listener's understanding of this central mystery of the Christian faith.

Main Topics Discussed

1. Revelation of the Holy Trinity

   • Central Mystery: Father Mike emphasizes that the revelation of God as Trinity is the heart of Christian history and life. This trinitarian revelation defines who God is and how He interacts with humanity.
   • Eternal Persons: He highlights the eternal nature of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, stressing that each Person of the Trinity exists eternally in relationship with the others.

2. Divine Economy (Oikonomia)

   • Definition: The divine economy refers to the works by which God reveals Himself and communicates His life to humanity.
   • Function: It encompasses all actions through which the Trinity interacts with the world, including creation, salvation, and sanctification.

3. Trinitarian Missions and Divine Works

   • Unified Operation: While the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have distinct personal roles, their actions are unified in a single divine operation.
   • Equal Participation: When one Person of the Trinity acts, the others are present and participatory, maintaining the unity of their divine nature.

4. Creedal Affirmations

   • Second Council of Constantinople: Father Mike references this council to underline the unity and distinctiveness within the Trinity, stating, “one God and Father from whom all things are” (Child Reference: 261).
   • Athanasian Creed: An excerpt is shared to articulate the unity and co-eternity of the Trinity without confusing the Persons or dividing the substance.

5. Baptism and Sharing in the Trinity

   • Pope Paul VI’s Statement: He explains that through baptism, believers are called to share in the life of the Blessed Trinity both on earth and in eternity, highlighting the transformative grace received through this sacrament.

Key Insights and Discussions

• Mystery and Love: The episode underscores that while God remains a mystery beyond complete human understanding, He invites believers into a personal and loving relationship within the Trinity. This relational aspect is central to experiencing God's plan of goodness.

• Language and Theology: Fr. Mike delves into complex theological terms such as "substance," "essence," "person," and "hypostasis," explaining their relevance in articulating the nature of the Trinity. He clarifies that "theologia" pertains to God's inner life, while "oikonomia" relates to God's outward actions.

• Co-Equal and Co-Eternal: Emphasizing the equality and eternity of the Trinity, he reassures listeners that each Person—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—shares the same divine nature and glory, acting in perfect harmony.

• Practical Implications: Father Mike connects theological concepts to daily living, encouraging believers to recognize God's presence and glory in every moment. He emphasizes that understanding the Trinity enriches one’s faith and informs how believers live out their relationship with God.

Notable Quotes

• Father Mike Schmitz at 10:45: “By sending his only Son and the Spirit of love in the fullness of time, God has revealed his innermost secret. God Himself is an eternal exchange of love, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”

• Excerpt from the Athanasian Creed at 22:30: “We worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; neither confounding the persons nor dividing the substance.”

• Father Mike Schmitz at 50:15: “We are called to share in the life of the Blessed Trinity here on earth, in the obscurity of faith and after death, in eternal light.”

Conclusion

Day 38 of The Catechism in a Year podcast offers a profound reflection on the Holy Trinity, encapsulating essential theological truths and their implications for Christian life. Father Mike Schmitz masterfully ties together scriptural revelations, creedal affirmations, and catechetical teachings to present a unified understanding of the Trinity. As listeners, we are invited to deepen our relationship with each Person of the Trinity, embracing the mystery and love that define the Christian faith.

Looking ahead, Father Mike previews the next episode, which will explore divine attributes, beginning with God's omnipotence. He encourages listeners to continue their journey through the Catechism, promising further insights into understanding God's nature and His relationship with humanity.

Prayer

The episode concludes with a heartfelt prayer, inviting listeners to seek a deeper love and understanding of God, and to rely on His grace to share in the life of the Blessed Trinity.

Stay Connected

To continue your journey through The Catechism in a Year podcast, subscribe and follow in your preferred podcast app for daily updates and notifications. For more resources and to download your own catechism reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy.

God bless!