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

Episode 60: God Sends His Only Son

Date: March 1, 2026

Reading: Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 422–429

Episode Overview

In Episode 60, Fr. Mike Schmitz begins Chapter Two of the Catechism, focusing on Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Today’s main theme is the “Good News”: that God has sent his only Son, an event deeply rooted in history and the essence of the Christian faith. Fr. Mike unpacks how this reality shapes not only Catholic belief but also its transmission—catechesis—and outlines where the Catechism’s exposition of Jesus will go in coming episodes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Historicity of Jesus (01:37)

• Christianity is a Historical Religion:
  Fr. Mike emphasizes that Christianity is not an abstract set of ideals, but rather, “deeply rooted in history” (01:50). The claims about Jesus—his birth, life, and resurrection—are anchored in actual historical events.
• Verifiable Claims:
  “The claims Jesus made about himself, that he is God, are verifiable. I mean, the resurrection demonstrates that Jesus was telling the truth” (02:14).

2. The Good News: God Has Sent His Son (02:35)

• Paraphrasing the Catechism:
  The episode’s focus is on the proclamation that God “acted far beyond all expectation,” sending his Son out of sheer goodness and love for humanity.
• Fr. Mike marvels at the generosity and initiative of God:
  “God didn’t have to do any of this… He didn’t have to love us. And this is remarkable. Yet he still does” (15:57).

3. The Content and Transmission of Faith (05:41, 16:45)

• Catechesis and Catechesi Tradendae:
  Fr. Mike highlights that catechesis (properly, teaching the faith) has as its core “a person, the person of Jesus of Nazareth, the only Son from the Father” (Catechism, para. 426).
• Passing on the Faith:
  Referencing John Paul II’s apostolic exhortation, Catechesi Tradendae (1979), Fr. Mike underscores the ongoing mission to “proclaim Christ” and lead others to faith.
  • “At the heart of catechesis is Christ. We find in essence a person, the person of Jesus of Nazareth, the only Son from the Father.” (04:47)

4. The Role of the Catechist (07:36, 21:34)

• Seeking Christ First:
  “Whoever is called to teach Christ must first seek the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus. It just makes sense, right?” (07:46)
• Living, Not Just Teaching:
  Fr. Mike expands:
  “We have to be walking like him. It’s not just to be talking like him. We have to be living like him.” (23:19)
• Catechist as Spokesman:
  “It is Christ alone who teaches. Anyone else teaches to the extent that he is Christ’s spokesman, enabling Christ to teach with his lips.” (22:09)

5. The Structure Ahead: Jesus’ Titles and Mysteries (10:59, 25:00)

• The Next Steps in the Catechism:
  Paragraph 429 introduces the plan: first, the principal titles of Jesus (Christ, Son of God, Lord), then the chief mysteries of his life (the Incarnation, Paschal Mystery, and Glorification).
  • Fr. Mike gives a roadmap:
    “First his titles, then the chief mysteries of his life, and then also the glorification of his… his glorification.” (25:27)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Historicity of Jesus:
  “Christianity is a historical religion. It is deeply rooted in history.” (01:49)

• On the Surprising Goodness of God:
  “God has acted far beyond all expectation. It would have been foolish to expect that God would have done this. And yet… he has visited his people.” (16:23)

• On Catechesis:
  “At the heart of catechesis, we find in essence a person—the person of Jesus of Nazareth, the only Son from the Father.” (04:48)

• On Transmission of Faith:
  “The transmission of the Christian faith consists primarily in proclaiming Jesus Christ in order to lead others to faith in Him.” (18:44)

• On the Heart of Catechists:
  “Whoever is called to teach Christ must first seek the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus.” (20:04)

• On the Teacher’s Role:
  “It is Christ alone who teaches. Anyone else teaches to the extent that he is Christ’s spokesman, enabling Christ to teach with his lips.” (22:19)

• On Eagerness to Proclaim:
  “If I love you even more, it will actually be the desire of my heart to speak of you, to share you… boldly and powerfully share the message of who Jesus Christ is in himself and what he has done for us.” (21:12)

Important Timestamps

• 01:37 — Introduction to the new chapter: “Good News: God has sent His Son”
• 04:44 — Catechesis is centered on Jesus; reference to Catechesi Tradendae
• 07:46 — Calling of catechists and the surpassing worth of knowing Christ
• 15:57 — God’s gratuitous gift: “God didn’t have to do any of this…”
• 16:23 — God has acted far “beyond all expectation”
• 18:44 — Key line: “The transmission of the Christian faith consists primarily in proclaiming Jesus Christ…”
• 20:04 — The catechist’s first call is to know Christ
• 22:09 — On Christ alone as teacher: “Anyone else teaches to the extent that he is Christ’s spokesman…”
• 25:00 — Overview of upcoming Catechism articles and direction

Flow & Tone

Fr. Mike’s delivery is warm, enthusiastic, and pastoral, blending careful explanation of the Catechism’s content with brief personal reflections and encouragement. He marvels repeatedly at the generosity of God, underscores the centrality of Christ to the faith, and gently challenges listeners to deeper discipleship—not merely intellectual assent, but living relationship and witness.

Takeaway

This episode marks a pivotal transition in the Catechism, shifting from the revelation of the Father to the sending of the Son. Fr. Mike reminds listeners that the heart of Catholic faith—and its sharing with others—must always be Jesus Christ himself: God’s real, historical, and gratuitous self-gift to humanity. The call to teach and witness is rooted in personal intimacy with Jesus, from which comes genuine evangelization.

For tomorrow: The Catechism will explore the titles of Jesus: Christ, Son of God, and Lord.