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

Episode Summary – Day 62: The Christ (2026)

Date: March 3, 2026
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Reading: Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paragraphs 436-440

Episode Overview

In this episode, Fr. Mike unpacks the title “Christ” as applied to Jesus, its deep roots in the Old Testament, and its fulfillment in Jesus’ threefold ministry as priest, prophet, and king. Building on the previous focus on the holy name “Jesus,” today’s episode explains how “Christ” is not a surname but a title signifying Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah—the Anointed One. Fr. Mike highlights how Jesus’ messiahship transcends expectations, unveiling its true meaning through His suffering, death, and resurrection.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Meaning and Origin of the Title “Christ”

• Christ = Messiah = Anointed One

  • The word “Christ” comes from the Greek “Christos,” a translation of the Hebrew “Messiah” (mashiach), both meaning “anointed one.”
  • Jesus is the Christ as He fulfills the divine mission implied by “Messiah.”
  • Quote:

    “It's not Jesus Christ, because it was also Mary Christ and Joseph Christ, and they had a baby Jesus Christ. No, that's not what happened.”
    — Fr. Mike Schmitz (01:43)

• Not a Family Name, but a Fulfilled Identity

  • Instead of a last name, “Christ” designates Jesus’ unique fulfillment of roles in Israel: king, prophet, and priest—all roles for which people were anointed.
  • Over time, this title becomes so completely associated with Jesus that it effectively becomes His “proper name.”

2. Messianic Expectation in Israel and Its Fulfillment in Jesus

• Deep Roots in Jewish History
  • Jesus’ title grounds Him firmly within the Jewish narrative; He is the answer to the Messianic hope, which looked for an anointed deliverer.
  • Jesus did not “drop out of the sky” but entered into a particular people with a specific expectation.
  • Quote:

    “He came out of… Jesus was born into this particular people that had been shaped in a particular way and were looking for a particular person. The one they were looking for was the anointed one, right? The Messiah.”
    — Fr. Mike Schmitz (04:05)

3. The Nature of Jesus’ Messiahship—More Than Political

• Misunderstanding of the Messiah

  • Many contemporaries expected a political savior to liberate Israel—Jesus, however, transcends this expectation.
  • Quote from Paragraph 439:

    “Jesus accepted his rightful title of Messiah, though with some reserve, because it was understood by some of his contemporaries in too human a sense, as essentially political.”
    — (08:11)

• The Threefold Office of Christ

  • Jesus fulfills the offices of priest (high priest and sacrifice), king (king of kings, but crowned with thorns), and prophet (the ultimate truth-teller, who is also rejected).

• True Kingship Revealed on the Cross

  • Jesus reveals the authentic content of his kingship as a suffering servant. His exaltation is only fully understood when “raised high on the cross.”
  • Quote:

    “The true meaning of his kingship is revealed only when he is raised high on the cross.”
    — Fr. Mike Schmitz, summarizing Catechism 440 (15:08)

4. Scriptural and Trinitarian Foundations

• Anointing and the Trinity

  • Saint Irenaeus is cited in the Catechism, showing the Trinitarian dimension:

    “The one who anointed is the Father. The one who was anointed is the Son. And he was anointed with the Spirit who is the anointing.”
    — (11:28)

  • Every act in Christ’s mission involves Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

• Jesus’ Mission Prophesied and Announced

  • From birth (the angels’ words to the shepherds) to his lineage (descendant of David via Joseph) and at his baptism, Jesus is revealed as the Messiah, Priest, Prophet, and King.

5. Participation in Christ’s Threefold Ministry

• The Christian’s Share

  • Jesus extends these three roles to all his followers:

    “He calls us not only to share in his own divine life, but he calls us to share in the exercise of that threefold role, that threefold ministry of priest, prophet and king.”
    — Fr. Mike Schmitz (06:11)

  • All baptized Christians are called to live out aspects of Christ’s priestly, prophetic, and kingly mission—even in suffering and rejection, not just in glory.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On the paradox of Christ’s kingship:

  “Yes, I am the king, but not the king crowned with gold, the king crowned with thorns. Yes, I accept the high priest, but… the high priest who is also the sacrifice himself, and the prophet… who is rejected.”
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz (17:02)

• On the depth of God’s love revealed in Christ:

  “Great love that enters into pain, that doesn’t stay away from our difficulties… that’s the kind of king that we have.”
  — Fr. Mike Schmitz (18:18)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:43] – Clarifying that “Christ” is not a last name but a title
• [04:05] – Jesus’ arrival rooted in the expectation of Israel
• [06:11] – Praying to share in Christ’s offices of priest, prophet, king
• [08:11] – Reading of Catechism paragraphs 436–440 and initial commentary
• [11:28] – Catechism and Irenaeus on the Trinitarian dimension of Christ’s anointing
• [15:08] – Unveiling the meaning of Christ’s kingship through the Cross
• [17:02] – The paradox of Jesus’ kingship, priesthood, and prophetic mission
• [18:18] – Reflection on Christ’s love in suffering

Conclusion

Today’s episode centers on the profound significance of the title “Christ” as the fulfillment of Israel’s hope in a priest, prophet, and king, anointed by God not for earthly domination, but for redemptive sacrifice. Fr. Mike emphasizes that this messianic mission—fully realized in Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection—invites every Christian to participate in a life of self-giving love, even amidst suffering and rejection. As the catechetical journey continues, listeners are encouraged to remain steadfast in community and prayer.

For more, continue to Day 63 where the discussion moves forward into Jesus as the Only Son of God.