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

Day 77: The Kingdom of God (2026)

Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Date: March 18, 2026
Coverage: Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 541–546

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the meaning of "the Kingdom of God" as unveiled in the Catechism. Fr. Mike unpacks how Jesus not only saves but also establishes God’s kingdom on earth, identified as the Church. The discussion stretches from biblical prophecy to real-life implications for believers: belonging to the kingdom requires both faith and action.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jesus, the King Who Battles for His People

• Recap of previous episode: Fr. Mike recalls how Jesus, after being baptized and identified as the Messiah, immediately goes to do battle with evil in the wilderness—showing the king’s role is to fight for his people, not to be served (01:08).
  • “The job of the king was to do battle for his people. … He fights the one who fights against you. He fights the one who fights against us.” (02:06)

2. What is the Kingdom of God?

• Historical Context: Fr. Mike connects the kingdom Jesus proclaims with the ancient kingdom promised to Abraham, established under David and Solomon, dispersed in exile, and now reunited in Christ (03:17).
• Link to Prophecy: Cites Daniel’s vision—an everlasting kingdom arising after historical empires, fulfilled in Christ (04:12).
  • “Jesus is that stone. Jesus established that everlasting kingdom. That kingdom is the church.” (04:28)
• Church as Kingdom: The kingdom is not an abstract idea; it is the Church, “the seed and beginning of that kingdom” on earth (04:37).

3. The Universal Call to the Kingdom

• Invitation to All: Jesus first announces the kingdom to Israel but intends it to include all nations (07:33).
• Who is Invited?
  • The poor and lowly: Jesus identifies with and declares them blessed (08:13). “He experiences hunger, thirst, and privation. He identifies himself with the poor of every kind and makes active love toward them the condition for entering his kingdom.” (09:11)
  • Sinners: Jesus’ invitation centers on mercy and repentance, not righteousness (09:50).

4. Parables as Mirrors for the Kingdom

• Teaching Style: Jesus uses parables to reveal the kingdom, urging for radical life change. The parables are both invitations and challenges.
  “To gain the kingdom, one must give everything. Words are not enough. Deeds are required.” (12:45)
• Personal Reflection: Fr. Mike reflects on how the parables serve as mirrors for self-examination:
  • “Is my heart hard soil or good earth? What use have I made of the talents God has given me?” (13:14)

5. Why Did Jesus Not Die Sooner?

• A Thoughtful Thought Exercise: If Jesus’ mission is to save through dying and rising, why wait until the cross?
  • Jesus recapitulates humanity’s and Israel’s story by freely entering into suffering and death at the appointed time (10:32).
  • Another reason: “Jesus’ mission was not merely to save us. Jesus’ mission was to establish the kingdom on earth, to allow us to be brought into the family of God, to allow us to have a Church in the first place.” (11:23)

6. The Call to Action in the Kingdom

• Faith Alone Is Not Enough: Belonging to the kingdom, being part of God’s family, requires deeds—active love, especially toward the poor and marginalized.
  • “Unless we do that, unless we take care of the poor, unless we take care of the lowly, unless we take care of those who the world says are not important, we may not enter … the kingdom.” (11:56)
• Self-Examination: Fr. Mike urges listeners to examine if their faith moves them to action, not just words (13:36).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the battle Jesus wages:
  “The king was the anointed one … But the job of the king was to do battle for his people. … In his obedience, he is the devil’s conqueror. Like, he fights the one who fights against you.” (02:06)

• On the Church as the Kingdom:
  “This gathering, this kingdom is the church on earth. … The kingdom of God is what we know as the church on earth, the seed and beginning of that kingdom.” (04:37)

• On the invitation to the kingdom:
  “Jesus calls all people to come together around him. But above all, in the great paschal mystery, his death on the cross and his resurrection, he would accomplish the coming of his kingdom, as he said: ‘And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.’” (Reading, 06:06)

• On who belongs:
  “The kingdom belongs to the poor and lowly … Jesus identifies himself with the poor of every kind and makes active love toward them the condition for entering his kingdom.” (09:11)

• On the radical cost of the kingdom:
  “To gain the kingdom, one must give everything. Words are not enough. Deeds are required.” (12:45)

• On action vs. words:
  “It is easier to press play than it is to belong fully to the Lord Jesus. … Because it is easier to talk about this than it is to live it. Words are not enough. Deeds are required.” (14:03)

Important Timestamps

• 00:00–02:00 — Setting the episode’s theme, recap of Jesus’ baptism/temptation, king as a fighter.
• 03:00–05:00 — Explanation of kingdom promises in the Old Testament and their fulfillment in Christ.
• 06:00–09:00 — Reading and explanation from the Catechism, universal call, inclusion of poor and lowly.
• 10:30–12:00 — Why Jesus didn’t die sooner, purpose of his mission beyond redemption.
• 12:30–14:00 — Parables as mirrors, radical call to action, faith needing deeds.
• 14:00–End — Personal encouragement, call for prayer and mutual support in living out the kingdom.

Flow & Tone

Fr. Mike’s style remains warm, direct, and conversational—he blends catechetical teaching with real-world application and personal vulnerability. He continually brings listeners back to the “so what?”: how does this matter for our lives, and will we allow Christ and his kingdom to reshape not just our thoughts but our choices?

Summary

Fr. Mike shows that “the Kingdom of God” is not an abstract ideal but is made visible in the Church, gathering all people—especially the poor and sinners—around Christ the King. This kingdom invites everyone, requires radical self-gift and charity, and is as much about deeds as it is about belief. Parables are held up as mirrors: are we receptive? Are we active for the kingdom? Finally, Fr. Mike reminds listeners that to remain in this kingdom and to let it change our lives, we need God’s grace, prayer, and active support from one another.

“Words are not enough. Deeds are required.”
(Fr. Mike Schmitz, 12:45, 14:03)

Please pray for each other, as belonging to the kingdom means more than listening—it means living the Gospel each day.