Episode Summary: Day 48 – Creation in Order

Podcast: The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Episode Date: February 17, 2026
Reading: Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paragraphs 337–343

Overview

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz explores the Catechism’s teaching on the visible world and the order of creation. He highlights how everything in existence owes its origin to God, how all creatures possess unique goodness and perfection, the interdependence and hierarchy among created things, and how humans, made in God's image and likeness, stand as the summit of creation. The episode emphasizes stewardship over dominion, interconnectedness within creation, and the balance between hierarchy and equality among creatures. Fr. Mike uses accessible metaphors, relates complex theology to daily life, and draws connections to Catholic tradition and Scripture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. God as the Sole Creator and Sustainer

• All existence originates from God:

  • Nothing exists that does not owe its existence to God (Catechism 338).
  • The visible world, in all its richness, diversity, and order, is a direct result of God’s creative act (04:28).

• Creation as Ordered, Not Chaotic:

  • God creates not haphazardly but with depth (richness), variety (diversity), and structure (order).
  • The order of creation is what allows for the study of the natural world—science itself relies on this foundational truth (16:24).

Quote:

"He created the visible world in all its richness, diversity, and order. This is so important. That's not only rich, it's diverse, right? There's a depth there and there's a diversity there, but there's also an order here."
— Fr. Mike Schmitz (16:24)

2. Each Creature’s Unique Goodness and Perfection

• Intrinsic Worth of Creatures:

  • Every created thing reflects, in some way, the wisdom and goodness of God (05:40).
  • Paragraph 339: Each creature possesses its own particular goodness and perfection.

• Respect for Creation:

  • Humans are called to honor the particular goodness of every creature and avoid “disordered use,” which disrespects the Creator and harms creation and ourselves (17:25).

• Foundation for Stewardship:

  • Our role is to care for creation wisely, not exploit it—a steward rather than an owner (18:32).

Quote:

"Man must therefore respect the particular goodness of every creature to avoid any disordered use of things which would be in contempt of the Creator and would bring disastrous consequences for human beings and their environment."
— Fr. Mike Schmitz quoting the Catechism (17:25)

3. Interdependence and Harmony in Creation

• Creatures Rely On Each Other:
  • No creature is self-sufficient; all exist in a web of interdependence, complementing and serving one another (19:10).
  • Paragraph 340 (poetic imagery): "The sun and the moon, the cedar and the little flower, the eagle and the sparrow..."

Quote:

“No creature is self-sufficient. We need each other.”
— Fr. Mike Schmitz (19:10)

4. The Beauty and Hierarchy of the Universe

• Creation Mirrors Divine Beauty:

  • The order and harmony within creation inspire awe, scientific investigation, and reverence for the Creator (20:14).

• Hierarchy of Creatures:

  • There is an ordering from 'less perfect to the more perfect,' with humanity set at the summit, reflecting both God’s image and an added sense of responsibility (21:25).

Quote:

“It doesn't take anything away from the ground floor of an apartment building to point out that the penthouse is the top floor. Like, that doesn't take anything away from this because it's all part of what's necessary. You couldn't have a penthouse without a ground floor.”
— Fr. Mike Schmitz (13:30)

5. Human Beings as the Summit of Creation

• Unique Dignity and Mission:

  • Humanity’s primacy comes not from our own merit but from being created in God's image and likeness (22:01).
  • Humans possess intellect and will in a way no other creature does.

• More Than Dominion—Stewardship and Responsibility:

  • Our higher place in creation calls us to wise stewardship, not arbitrary dominion.
  • The Catechism clarifies that stewardship is fundamentally different from ownership.

Quote:

“We are stewards of our—even our own lives. We're not even the owners of our own lives. We're not even the owners of our own bodies. We are stewards.”
— Fr. Mike Schmitz (25:20)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Paradoxes in Catholic Faith:

  "Paradoxes are what? They're things that are seemingly contradictory, but actually are not at all. They're just held in tension. We get to assert two things at the same time."
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz (14:12)

• On Science and Creation:

  “Because of our belief about how God created the world in order, that paves the way for science to exist… He created a world with richness, diversity and order. And there's something remarkable about that because God permits us to recognize the inner nature, the value and the ordering of the whole of creation, to the praise of God.”
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz (16:24)

Important Timestamps

• 00:00–01:48 – Opening and episode overview
• 04:28–05:40 – God as Creator and the concept of order in creation
• 13:30–14:12 – Explaining hierarchy without diminishing value
• 16:24–18:32 – Creation’s order as the foundation for science and stewardship versus ownership
• 19:10–20:14 – Interdependence of creatures
• 21:25–22:01 – Human beings as summit of creation
• 25:20 – Call to stewardship and closing encouragement

Final Takeaways

• Everything in creation is rooted in God’s initiative, reflecting His wisdom and order.
• Creatures are to be respected for their innate goodness and role in creation; stewardship is a key Catholic principle.
• While humans are given a unique role as the summit of the visible world, our dignity brings greater responsibility, not license for abuse.
• The balance and hierarchy God establishes in creation invite both humility and awe, challenging listeners to deepen their respect for both the natural world and its Creator.

Fr. Mike’s Closing Prayer (23:12):
A prayer of gratitude for God’s creative love, asking for the grace to remain faithful stewards of all that God has made, recognizing with humility our place within the order of creation.

Summary prepared for those seeking a clear, faithful, and engaging overview of the episode’s content and insights without the need to listen to the full audio.