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

Episode: Day 49: We Are Created For Worship (2026)
Date: February 18, 2026
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz, Ascension

Overview of the Episode

Fr. Mike Schmitz guides listeners through Catechism paragraphs 344–354, concluding the section on “Heaven and Earth.” This episode explores how all creation—including humankind—is oriented toward worship and the glory of God. Fr. Mike unpacks the concepts of solidarity among creatures, the temple-like structure of creation, the significance of the Sabbath, and the dawn of the “eighth day” (the Resurrection). He emphasizes that worship is inscribed in creation, bringing us into deeper relationship with God.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Solidarity Among Creatures (00:34–03:10, 18:32–20:15)

• All creatures share the same Creator and are ultimately ordered toward God’s glory.
• Not only humans, but everything—from subatomic particles to angels—exist to glorify God:
  • “Atoms have to do it, right? Atoms have to. Minerals have to… They automatically, by their very nature, glorify God in themselves. We get to choose.” (01:35)
  • Human existence itself gives glory to God, yet humans are uniquely given the freedom to consciously worship.
• Notable Quote:
  “The fact that you exist gives glory to God. But we have a choice, right?” — Fr. Mike (01:58)

2. The Temple Structure of Creation (03:20–05:55, 20:30–25:05)

• Genesis creation is described as a “cosmic temple,” structured purposefully for worship.
• The first three days of creation solve “formlessness” (space), the next three “emptiness” (inhabitants), and the seventh day sanctifies time itself (Sabbath/worship).
  • Cites Tim Gray and Jeff Cavins’ Walking with God to illustrate this structure.
• Notable Quote:
  “The temple structure of creation is built in the first three days and then furnished in the second set of three days. But it’s not completed until the seventh day. And this is so vastly important...” — Fr. Mike (21:26)

3. Worship as the Purpose of Creation (05:56–08:15, 25:06–27:02)

• All of creation is oriented toward the Sabbath and worship—the seventh day is the high point, not just a rest after work.
• Fr. Mike emphasizes God’s desire to draw humanity into deeper relationship, not for His benefit but for ours:
  • “Worship is not for God. It is God’s way of bringing us into deeper and deeper relationship with Him.” (07:08)

4. The Covenant and Sabbath (08:16–12:25, 25:10–27:00)

• Explains the Hebrew significance of seven (“shava”) as oath, covenant, and its link to Sabbath (“Shabbat”).
• The Sabbath is “the covenant day”—God invites men into His rest and relationship:
  • “The Sabbath is a sign of the covenant… If you were to cut a covenant with someone… they would establish this family bond. And here is God, who takes the seventh day, the covenant day, and rests on that day… inviting human beings into this worship.” (22:44)
• Cites St. Benedict:
  “Nothing should take precedence over the work of God, that is solemn worship.” (07:40, repeated 23:44)
• Worship is the “right order of human concerns”—worship comes first, ordering life correctly.

5. The Eighth Day and Christian Worship (12:26–14:50, 27:05–29:00)

• The “eighth day” refers to Christ’s resurrection, the new creation, and why Christians worship on Sunday:
  • “The seventh day completes the first creation. The eighth day begins the new creation. Thus the work of creation culminates in the greater work of redemption.” (13:18)
• Mass is participation in eternity—a foretaste of the new creation.
• Notable Quote:
  “We get to enter into that place where time and eternity meet… invited to step into the day of the new creation, the day of redemption.” — Fr. Mike (28:16)

6. Angels: God’s Servants and Our Helpers (14:51–18:32)

• Reminds listeners that angels are spiritual creatures oriented entirely toward God’s worship and are active in salvation history.
• All creation—including angels—serves the purpose of glorifying God and assisting humans.
• Notable Quote:
  “The angels are all oriented toward… their whole selves are devoted to the Lord. Fully surrendered, fully given to the Lord.” — Fr. Mike (15:10)

Memorable Quotes and Moments

• On Existence as Worship:
  “The fact that you exist gives glory to God. But we have a choice, right?” — Fr. Mike (01:58)
• On Sabbath as Covenant:
  “The Sabbath is a sign of the covenant. The Sabbath is for the Lord—holy and set apart for the praise of God, his work of creation, and his saving actions on behalf of Israel.” — Fr. Mike (22:52, paraphrasing CCC 2171)
• On Worship’s Priority:
  “Nothing should take precedence over the work of God, that is solemn worship. This indicates the right order of human concerns.” — Fr. Mike (23:44)
• On the Mass and New Creation:
  “We get to enter into that place where time and eternity meet... invited to step into the day of the new creation, the day of redemption.” — Fr. Mike (28:16)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|-------------------------------------------| | 00:05 | Welcome, overview of today’s Catechism reading and theme | | 01:00 | Solidarity and interdependence among all creatures | | 03:20 | Creation as a cosmic temple, Genesis structure | | 07:08 | The purpose of worship—relationship, not God’s need | | 11:45 | St. Benedict: Priority of worship | | 13:18 | The “eighth day”—transition from Sabbath to Sunday | | 15:10 | Angels’ total devotion and role | | 22:44 | Sabbath as sign of covenant and human participation in worship | | 28:16 | Mass as “meeting of time and eternity”; glimpse of new creation |

Tone & Style

Fr. Mike's style is energetic, encouraging, and relatable. He uses analogies, biblical references, and vivid language to express the joy and gravity of creation and worship. He often repeats “that’s incredible,” “amazing,” and similar exclamations to highlight wonder. He frequently paraphrases the Catechism and brings complex theology into personal, accessible terms, with encouragement for listeners’ continued faith journeys.

Conclusion

Day 49 centers on the theme: We are created for worship. Fr. Mike unpacks how all creation is structured around glorifying God, with the Sabbath as the hallmark of covenant and worship. He explains how Christian Sunday worship (the “eighth day”) flows from resurrection and new creation, and how angels and all creatures participate in this purpose. The episode invites listeners not just to learn facts, but to allow these insights to transform them—rekindling hearts with love of God through worship.

For the next episode:
Fr. Mike teases a focus on mankind made in God's image and likeness—how humanity completes “the cosmic temple” and is invited into ever deeper worship and relationship with God.