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

Episode: Day 46: Heaven and Earth (2026)
Date: February 15, 2026
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz, Ascension

Overview

In Day 46 of "The Catechism in a Year," Fr. Mike Schmitz explores paragraphs 325-330 of the Catechism, focusing on the doctrine of Heaven and Earth: the created reality of all that is visible and invisible, and an introduction to the nature and existence of angels. The discussion emphasizes what these truths mean for our understanding of creation, humanity’s unique place within it, and the significance of angels in Catholic faith and tradition.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. All Things Visible and Invisible

• Heaven and Earth: Fr. Mike explains the Creed’s proclamation that God is "creator of heaven and earth," and how the Catechism expands this to include all "things visible and invisible." (01:39)
  • The phrase "heaven and earth" signifies the entirety of creation—not just the material universe but the spiritual realm as well.
  • Heaven refers both to the skies above and to "God's own place," the realm of spiritual creatures (angels and saints).
  • Earth denoted as the "world of men"—our material existence.

2. Unity and Distinction in Creation

• The Catechism highlights that there is a bond within creation that unites and distinguishes heaven and earth (04:58).
• Creation encompasses everything: time, space, spirit, and matter.

3. God’s Act of Creation

• Recapping prior teachings: God created freely, out of nothing—"bara ex nihilo"—both orders of creatures: the spiritual (angels) and the corporeal (material world) (07:20).

• The Fourth Lateran Council (1215) declares that God created both the angelic and earthly realms at once, and then humanity, who partakes in both: body and soul.

  "Human creature...shares in both orders, being composed of spirit and body."
  — Fr. Mike (08:25, referencing Catechism and the Fourth Lateran Council)

4. Humanity’s Unique Place

• Humans are both spiritual and corporeal—not purely material like animals, nor purely spiritual like angels (09:05).
• Addressing common misconceptions:
  • Humans do not become angels after death. Instead, our souls and bodies are temporarily separated at death, but will be reunited in the resurrection.
  • Angels are a wholly different kind of being.

5. The Existence of Angels: A Truth of Faith

• The Catechism states that belief in angels is "a truth of faith", as attested by both Scripture and Tradition (11:10).

• Emphasis on how, throughout Church history, focus on angels has fluctuated, with times of great emphasis and times of de-emphasis.

  "The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that sacred Scripture usually calls angels is a truth of faith. The witness of Scripture is as clear as the unanimity of tradition."
  — Fr. Mike (11:40, quoting Catechism)

6. Nature and Role of Angels

• Drawing from St. Augustine's teaching:

  • "Angel" names their office (messenger); "Spirit" is their nature. (13:12)
  • Angels are servants and messengers of God—with their entire being oriented toward serving the Lord.

• Angels are:

  • Purely spiritual, with intelligence and will.
  • Personal and immortal.
  • Surpass all visible creatures in perfection (15:00).

  "With their whole being, angels are servants and messengers of God."
  — Fr. Mike (13:34, quoting Catechism)

7. Understanding Angels vs. Human Beings

• The common image of angels as "chubby babies with wings" is inaccurate. Angels are powerful, personal, and wholly oriented to God’s service (17:01).

• Angels, like humans, possess intellect and will, enabling them to know, choose, and love—though their choice is total and eternal.

  "Angels have intellect, and with that intellect and with that will, they have chosen to love God with everything they are."
  — Fr. Mike (18:07)

8. Personal Reflection: Our Spiritual Roots

• Fr. Mike references Fr. Serge-Thomas Bonino, OP, on humanity’s "closest cousins" not being animals but angels, due to our spiritual nature (18:50).

• Even as we share in the animal (bodily) world, our spiritual component connects us more deeply with angels.

  "Our closest cousins might not be chimpanzees, but angels."
  — Fr. Mike (18:58, quoting Fr. Bonino)

9. Being Fully Human: Glorifying God in Body and Soul

• Humans alone can glorify God in both spirit and body—something angels cannot, as they are bodiless.

• Each of us is called to know, love, and serve God with our "whole self," mirroring the angels’ total devotion.

  "You’ve been given a soul just like the angels... but your body and soul is unique."
  — Fr. Mike (19:55)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On God’s Nearest Gifts:

  "As you look around right now where you are and you see all these things...there’s also so much that you don’t see right now. There’s even someone that I don’t see...this angel."
  — Fr. Mike (04:07)

• On Angels’ Role:

  "Your guardian angel isn’t your angel, right? It’s the Lord’s angel. It’s God’s angel. And to recognize that they belong wholly to the Lord, that they love Him with their entire self."
  — Fr. Mike (15:36)

• On Our Created Purpose:

  "God has created us to love him with everything we have. God has created us with an intellect and with a will. He’s also given us bodies. So that’s a whole other, you know, monkey wrench...but a gift."
  — Fr. Mike (17:50)

Important Timestamps by Segment

• Introduction & Episode Overview: 00:06–02:10
• Heaven and Earth, All Creation: 02:11–04:57
• Prayer & Reflection on the Unseen: 05:00–06:44
• Reading of Catechism Paragraphs 325–330: 06:45–11:00
• Creation of Angels and Humans: 11:01–13:00
• Role, Nature & Office of Angels: 13:01–15:30
• Angels’ Intellect, Will, and Perfection: 15:31–16:20
• Dismissal of Common Misconceptions: 16:21–17:20
• Humans and Angels—Comparing "Cousins": 18:50–19:55
• Concluding Prayer & Reflection: 19:56–end

Tone & Style

Fr. Mike’s delivery is warm, personal, and enthusiastic, punctuated by relatable analogies, gentle humor, and moments of awe in the mystery of creation. He encourages listeners to rejoice in being both spiritual and physical, to appreciate the unseen reality of angels, and to glorify God with their entire being.

Summary

Day 46 offers a reflective and catechetical exploration of "heaven and earth," emphasizing the full sweep of creation, the unique dignity of humanity, and the reality and nature of angels. Fr. Mike’s teaching weaves together Scripture, Tradition, Church history, and personal insight, inviting listeners to grow in faith and wonder at God’s invisible and visible works.

"God has made more than we can see, more than eye can see, more than ear can hear, more than the human heart and mind can understand. He has made it all."
— Fr. Mike (05:08)

End of summary.