Podcast Summary: "Day 7: God Reveals Himself"

The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz (Ascension)
Date: January 7, 2026
Episode Focus: Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paragraphs 50-58

Episode Overview

On Day 7, Fr. Mike Schmitz delves into how God reveals Himself to humanity, progressing from general revelation through creation to the specific, loving self-disclosure featured in Divine Revelation. The episode outlines the Catholic understanding of how God initiates, sustains, and deepens His relationship with people through history, covenants (with special attention to Noah), and ultimately, in the person of Jesus Christ. Fr. Mike emphasizes God's gradual, unfolding plan—a divine pedagogy—for drawing humanity into intimate communion with Himself.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Context in the Catechism’s Structure

• (00:30) This episode builds on the foundational pillar of "what we believe," specifically focusing on Divine Revelation (Catechism paragraphs 50-58).
• The distinction is made between coming to know God through natural reason (creation) and by God’s own initiative through revelation.

2. God’s Initiative in Revelation

• (02:00-04:00)
  • Divine Revelation is described as something humanity cannot achieve on its own; it requires God’s free decision to reveal Himself and His will.
  • “Through an utterly free decision, God has revealed Himself and given Himself to man.” (CCC 50, paraphrased)
• God’s purpose: To communicate His divine life and adopt humans as His children, enabling us to know and love Him beyond natural capabilities.

3. Divine Pedagogy: Gradual Revelation

• (04:30-07:00)
  • God reveals Himself gradually, preparing people by stages for the fullness of revelation, which culminates in Jesus Christ.
  • St. Irenaeus is cited: God accustoms Himself to humanity and humanity to Himself over time.

4. Stages of Revelation

• (07:05-10:00)
  • From the very beginning (Adam and Eve), God invites humans to intimacy, bestowing grace and justice.
  • After the Fall, God promised redemption, offering covenants to maintain hope and connection.
  • Memorable Quote (Fr. Mike, 09:18):

    “We didn’t lose that completely with the fall. In fact, after the fall, God buoyed them up with the hope of salvation by promising redemption.”

5. Covenant with Noah & Universal Outreach

• (10:05-13:00)
  • Post-flood, God’s covenant with Noah signified a new phase of outreach to all nations, despite the division resulting from sin (highlighting Babel).
  • This covenant remains operative "until the universal proclamation of the Gospel."
  • Highlights that virtue and sanctity are possible for those living under this original covenant while anticipating Christ.

6. Why and How God Reveals Himself

• (13:05-17:00)
  • Fr. Mike employs a compelling analogy comparing knowing rocks, plants, animals, humans, and ultimately God.

    “If you’re going to get to know [another person], who they are truly, they're going to have to speak... When it comes to God, if we're going to know anything of substance about God, he's going to have to reveal himself to us.” (Fr. Mike, 13:55)

  • Parallels drawn with the Baltimore Catechism: "God made me to know Him, to love Him and to serve Him in this life so as to be happy with Him forever in the next."

7. Ongoing Revelation and Mission

• (17:05-end)
  • Even after rejecting God, humanity is not abandoned; God continually reaches out, inviting all into communion—underscoring the mission to share the Gospel globally.
  • Fr. Mike offers a closing reflection and prayer, encouraging listeners to pray both for a deeper personal encounter with God and for the spread of the Gospel:

    “We keep proclaiming this truth that God has revealed himself; that yes, God is mystery, but he has also revealed Himself, his heart, in the midst of mystery.” (Fr. Mike, 18:20)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On God’s Initiative:

  “Through an utterly free decision, God has revealed Himself and given Himself to man.”
  (CCC, read by Fr. Mike, 02:10)

• On Divine Pedagogy:

  “God communicates Himself to man gradually. He prepares him to welcome, by stages, the supernatural revelation that is to culminate in the Person and mission of the Incarnate Word, Jesus Christ.”
  (Catechism, paraphrased by Fr. Mike, 04:55)

• Analogy of Knowing Things:

  “When it comes to human beings… if you're going to get to know them, who they are truly, they're going to have to speak… it comes to God, if we’re going to know anything of substance about God, He's going to have to reveal Himself to us.”
  (Fr. Mike, 13:40-14:25)

• On God’s Fidelity after the Fall:

  “We didn’t lose that completely with the fall. In fact, after the fall, God buoyed them up with the hope of salvation by promising redemption.”
  (Fr. Mike, 09:18)

• On the Covenant with Noah:

  “The covenant with Noah remains in force during the times of the Gentiles until the universal proclamation of the Gospel.”
  (CCC 58, read by Fr. Mike, 12:20)

• On Humanity’s Mission:

  “We keep proclaiming this truth that God has revealed himself; that yes, God is mystery, but he has also revealed Himself, his heart, in the midst of mystery.”
  (Fr. Mike, 18:20)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:30 – Episode framing (pillar/section/chapter of the Catechism)
• 02:00 – Introduction to Divine Revelation
• 04:30 – Divine pedagogy & stages of revelation
• 07:05 – God’s self-manifestation from the beginning (Adam and Eve)
• 09:18 – God’s promise of salvation after the Fall
• 10:05 – Covenant with Noah and implications for humanity
• 13:05 – Analogy of knowing God vs. knowing creation
• 17:05 – Application, mission, and concluding prayer

Conclusion

Fr. Mike guides listeners into an understanding that God’s revelation is a loving, gradual process designed to draw humanity into relationship. The episode underscores the Catholic belief that while God remains mysterious, He has chosen to make Himself known so that we might know, love, and respond to Him in a way far beyond our natural capacity. The ongoing call is to receive this revelation personally and share it universally.

End Note:
Fr. Mike ends by promising daily prayer for the listeners, inviting reciprocal prayer, and expressing anticipation for the next episode.