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

Episode: Day 38: Summary of the Trinity (2026)
Date: February 7, 2026
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Reading: Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 261–267

Main Theme

A profound “nugget day” summary of the Most Holy Trinity—the heart of the Christian faith.
Fr. Mike wraps up the foundational section on the Trinity, distilling weeks of in-depth catechetical study into the essential truths of who God is: one God in three divine Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He emphasizes the theological vocabulary, scriptural basis, and most importantly, the personal invitation from the Trinity to share in God's own blessed life.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Trinity at the Heart of Christian Faith

• Central Mystery: The doctrine of the Trinity is not peripheral, but “the central mystery of the Christian faith and of Christian life” (07:25).
• Only God Himself can make this mystery known, revealing Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

"The mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central mystery of the Christian faith and of Christian life. God alone can make it known to us by revealing Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." (07:30, Fr. Mike quoting CCC 261)

2. Terminology and Theological Clarifications

• Clarifies key terms that have emerged throughout this section:
  • Substance, Essence, Nature, Person, Hypostasis: Terms to help us understand the unity and distinction within the Trinity.
  • Theologia and Oikonomia:
    • Theologia refers to God’s mystery in Himself.
    • Oikonomia means the works by which God reveals Himself and communicates His life (04:20–05:00).
• Trinity is not three gods but one God in three Persons, each Person distinct but sharing one divine substance.

"So, one divine being, three divine persons." (13:15, Fr. Mike)

3. Relationships Within the Trinity

• Father: Eternal source; not just a father by creation, but eternally Father (02:00).
• Son: Eternally begotten of the Father—consubstantial, not created.
• Holy Spirit: Proceeds from the Father ("the first principle") and, as the Western Church teaches, from the Father and the Son (Filioque clause).
• Fr. Mike notes scriptural references supporting these relationships:
  • John 14:26 (“sent by the Father in the name of the Son”)
  • John 15:26 (“by the Son from the Father”) (12:05)

4. Unity of Divine Action and Missions

• When one Person acts, all are present and act (06:00).
• Yet, each Person “shows forth what is proper to Him”, especially in the missions: the Son’s incarnation, and the coming of the Holy Spirit.

5. Creedal Expressions of the Trinity

• Fr. Mike highlights the Nicene Creed and Athanasian Creed.
• Nugget from the Athanasian Creed (11:10–11:50):
  • “We worship one God in the Trinity and the Trinity in unity, without either confusing the Persons or dividing the substance...”
  • Their “glory equal, their majesty co-eternal”.

"The Athanasian Creed states: Now this is the Catholic faith: We worship one God in the Trinity and the Trinity in unity, without either confusing the Persons or dividing the substance." (11:15, quoting CCC/Athanasian Creed)

6. Trinitarian Life as Our Destiny and Calling

• Participation through Baptism: By being baptized “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,” 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” (Pope Paul VI, 10:20).
• Already/Not Yet: Even now, through grace, the Holy Spirit dwells within and draws us into the life of God, though only fully unveiled in heaven.

"You know, we were baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. We are called to share in the life of the Blessed Trinity." (10:25)

7. The Glory and Majesty of God—Here and Now

• Fr. Mike encourages listeners to pause and reflect that, amidst the busyness of life, God’s glory and majesty are always present and real.
• God’s omnipotence, which will be the focus of the next episode, is always loving and personally directed: “And that power is loving you, that might cares about you, and He is calling you and me to share His own blessed life.” (15:05)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On God’s innermost secret (Catechism 221):

  “God Himself is an eternal exchange of love—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And He’s destined us to share in that exchange.” (03:00)

• On sharing Trinitarian life (Pope Paul VI):

  “By the grace of baptism… 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.” (10:25)

• On divine unity and distinction (Athanasian Creed excerpt):

  “We worship one God in the Trinity and the Trinity in unity, without either confusing the Persons or dividing the substance… their glory equal, their majesty coeternal.” (11:15)

• Personal encouragement:

  “That same God who is glorified, that same God who is enthroned, is the same God who is calling you into His own blessed life.” (13:55)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00–03:35 – Introduction, context, and prayer
• 04:20–07:00 – Key terms: substance, essence, person, theologia, oikonomia
• 07:25–08:10 – Summary reading: Trinity as central mystery (CCC 261)
• 10:20–11:05 – Baptism and sharing in Trinitarian life (Quote from Pope Paul VI, CCC 265)
• 11:10–12:10 – Athanasian Creed excerpt (defining unity & distinction)
• 12:30–13:00 – The presence and operation of the divine Persons
• 13:15–15:10 – Personal application: God’s majesty, our destiny
• 15:10–end – Closing encouragement and preview of next topic (God’s omnipotence)

Tone and Language

• Warm, conversational, and pastoral.
• Fr. Mike intersperses theological precision with relatable metaphors and practical encouragement.
• Encourages personal reflection and prayer, making the mystery of the Trinity not just a doctrine, but a calling and an invitation.

Conclusion

Day 38 delivers a concise but profound summary of the Church’s teaching on the Trinity—using both traditional creeds and contemporary explanation—and invites listeners to let these truths move from the head to the heart. Fr. Mike challenges each person to remember not just the formulations, but the personal call: to be drawn into God’s very own life, which is an ongoing, eternal exchange of love.

For further reflection:

• Reflect on Baptism as the entry into Trinitarian life.
• Ponder the Athanasian Creed and the mystery of God’s unity and distinction.
• Take a moment during daily activities to recall that God is glorified—and inviting you into His life—even now.