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

Episode: Day 68: The Mystery of the Incarnation (2026)
Date: March 9, 2026
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Reading: Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 475–483

Brief Overview

This episode delves into the profound mystery of the Incarnation—the union of the divine and human natures in the person of Jesus Christ. Fr. Mike Schmitz guides listeners through Catechism paragraphs 475–483, focusing on three essential aspects of Christ’s humanity: his human will, his true body, and his Sacred Heart. With warmth and clarity, Fr. Mike explains how each aspect reveals God’s extraordinary love and nearness, dismantling misconceptions and highlighting the deeply personal nature of Christ’s salvific mission.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Christ's Human Will (Starts ~07:20)

• The Sixth Ecumenical Council (Third Council of Constantinople, 681 AD) affirmed Christ has two wills—divine and human—which are not in opposition but work in perfect cooperation.
• Christ, “willed humanly in obedience to His Father, all that he had decided divinely with The Father and the Holy Spirit for our salvation.” (07:55)
• Powerful Clarification: Fr. Mike stresses it’s not a cruel act by the Father to send the Son, but a united decision among the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—for humanity’s salvation.
  • Quote: “This is not the Father on His own, sending the Son to die for the sins of humanity. This is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit united in this purpose...” (09:00)
• Christ’s human will does not resist, but submits to the divine will, exemplifying perfect obedience and harmony.

2. Christ's True Body (Starts ~10:10)

• Incarnation Makes Art Possible: Since God the Son truly assumed a human body, it is legitimate to portray Jesus in art and images.
• The Seventh Ecumenical Council (Second Council of Nicaea, 787 AD) resolved the iconoclast controversy, affirming that Christ’s human features can be represented and venerated in images.
  • Key Point: “The human face of Jesus can be portrayed. … For the believer who venerates the icon is venerating, in it, the person of the one depicted.” (11:10)
• Clarification on Veneration:
  • Catholics do not worship images; veneration is directed toward the person represented, not the physical artwork itself.
  • Fr. Mike uses the analogy of kissing a photograph of a loved one—not because the photo is the person, but because it evokes love and connection.
  • Quote: “It’s kind of like, I don't know, have you ever done this? Maybe you have a photograph of your child or a photograph of your sweetheart... you just, you miss them. … You know you're not kissing the person... it's a reminder, it's an expression of something in time, of just, yeah—the one your heart loves.” (13:00)

3. The Heart of the Incarnate Word (Starts ~14:40)

• Christ “has loved us all with a human heart.”
• The Sacred Heart of Jesus is recognized as the chief sign and symbol of Christ’s love for the Father and for all people.
• St. Paul’s Testimony: Fr. Mike highlights Galatians 2:20—“The Son of God loved me and gave Himself for me” (15:45)—emphasizing the intensity and particularity of Jesus’ personal love.
  • Quote: “Paul can say, what he did in his passion, in his agony, what he did on the cross, he did for me.” (16:00)
• Fr. Mike invites listeners to recognize, accept, and allow themselves to be loved by Christ today.
  • Memorable moment: “He already loves you. Does he have your permission—that you let him love you?” (17:30)

4. Catechism “In Brief” – Summary of the Section (Starts ~15:25)

• Jesus Christ is true God and true man, the one mediator between God and humanity.
• He possesses both a human and divine intellect and will.
• The Incarnation is a “wonderful union of the divine and human natures in the one person of the Word.”

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On the United Decision of the Trinity:

  “He willed humanly, in obedience to His Father, all that he had decided divinely with the Father and the Holy Spirit for our salvation.” (07:55)

• On the Purpose of Icons:

  “For the believer who venerates the icon is venerating, in it, the person of the one depicted.” (11:10)

• On Human Expressions of Affection:

  “If you've ever done that, you'd be like, wait, so weird. It's not weird. It's very normal… You're not kissing the person. … It's a reminder. … The one your heart loves.” (13:00)

• On Jesus’ Personal Love:

  “Jesus knew and loved us each and all during his life, his agony, and his passion, without exception.” (14:50)
  “He already loves you. Does he have your permission—that you let him love you?” (17:30)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [07:20] – Christ’s Human Will: Two natures, one harmony; cooperation of humanity and divinity
• [10:10] – Christ’s True Body: Legitimacy of images and icons; the importance of holy art
• [14:40] – The Heart of the Incarnate Word: The Sacred Heart and Christ’s personal love
• [15:25] – Catechism “In Brief” section: Essential summary of the mystery of the Incarnation
• [17:30] – Personal Invitation: “Does God have your permission to love you?”

Engaging Takeaways

• The Incarnation means God truly became one of us, with a full human will, intellect, body, and heart—yet remained fully divine.
• Christ’s human obedience reveals the love and cooperation at the core of the Trinity’s plan for our salvation.
• Veneration of images is rooted in the reality of the Incarnation—because God entered the visible world, we can honor his image.
• The Sacred Heart encapsulates the reality that Jesus knows, loves, and sacrifices himself for each of us personally—“without exception.”
• Acceptance of Christ’s love is not a passive act; it’s a lifelong invitation.

Final Reflection

Fr. Mike concludes with an invitation for self-reflection and prayer, urging listeners not only to consider the profound theological truths of the Incarnation but also to open their hearts to the personal and transformative love of Jesus—whose human and divine natures were united for our sake.