The Catechism in a Year: Day 85 – The Trial of Christ

Podcast Title: The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Host/Author: Ascension
Episode Title: Day 85: The Trial of Christ (2025)
Release Date: March 26, 2025

Introduction and Context

In Day 85 of "The Catechism in a Year" podcast, Father Mike Schmitz delves into paragraphs 595 to 598 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. This episode focuses on "The Trial of Christ," exploring the complexities surrounding Jesus' crucifixion and addressing historical misconceptions regarding collective Jewish responsibility.

Overview of Paragraphs 595-598

Father Mike begins by setting the stage with paragraph 595, which discusses the divisions among Jewish authorities concerning Jesus. He emphasizes that not all Jewish leaders were unified in their stance against Jesus, highlighting figures such as Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, who later professed belief in Christ (07:00).

Notable Quote:
"The religious authorities in Jerusalem were not unanimous about what stance to take toward Jesus."
— Father Mike Schmitz [07:44]

The Trial of Jesus and Jewish Authorities

The discussion progresses to paragraph 596, where Father Mike explains how certain Jewish authorities conspired with the Romans to crucify Jesus. He underscores that this action was not representative of all Jews, both then and now.

Notable Quote:
"The Jews are not collectively responsible for Jesus's death. Not at the time of his death, nor now."
— Father Mike Schmitz [03:20]

Father Mike references historical documents, including the Roman Catechism and teachings from figures like St. Francis of Assisi, to reinforce that assigning collective blame to Jews is erroneous and contrary to Church teachings.

Clarifying Collective Responsibility

A significant portion of the episode addresses the misinterpretation of Scripture that has historically held Jews collectively responsible for Jesus' death. Father Mike clarifies that paragraph 598 states, "All sinners were the authors of Christ's Passion," shifting the responsibility from a specific group to humanity as a whole.

Notable Quote:
"We recognize that our sins affect Christ himself. The Church does not hesitate to impute to Christians the gravest responsibility for the torments inflicted upon Jesus."
— Father Mike Schmitz [09:42]

He further elaborates that individual sinfulness is the true cause of Jesus' crucifixion, not the actions of an entire people or group.

The Church’s Teaching on Sin and Responsibility

Father Mike emphasizes personal responsibility in the context of salvation. He explains that Christians must acknowledge their own sins as contributors to Christ's Passion, thereby fostering a sense of personal accountability rather than projecting blame onto others.

Notable Quote:
"It was our sin collectively that is responsible for the death of Jesus. And we have to take responsibility for that ourselves."
— Father Mike Schmitz [04:35]

He highlights the teachings from the Second Vatican Council, which firmly state that neither all Jews from that era nor Jews today can be held accountable for Jesus' crucifixion. This stance aims to promote reconciliation and mutual understanding between Christians and Jews.

Personal Anecdote: Encounter at Yad Vashem

To illustrate the real-world impact of these teachings, Father Mike shares a poignant encounter at Yad Vashem, the Jewish Holocaust Memorial Museum in Israel. He narrates a conversation with a Jewish visitor who grappled with the Christian belief that Jews were responsible for Jesus' death, despite Jesus' crucifixion being central to Christian salvation.

Notable Quote:
"I mentioned that no, we don't blame the Jews. We blame ourselves."
— Father Mike Schmitz [13:53]

This interaction underscores the importance of clear communication and education in dispelling harmful stereotypes and fostering interfaith respect.

Reflections and Conclusions

Concluding the episode, Father Mike reinforces the message that Christians bear the primary responsibility for Jesus' crucifixion through their sins. He advocates for continuous self-examination and repentance, urging believers to avoid placing undue blame on others. Instead, the focus should remain on personal conversion and striving towards holiness.

Notable Quote:
"We cannot try to lay the blame on anyone other than ourselves, which is one of the reasons why this is remarkable."
— Father Mike Schmitz [15:57]

He also connects this theological reflection to the broader theme of redemption, reminding listeners that Jesus' sacrifice was a transformative event intended for the salvation of all humanity.

Closing Prayer and Encouragement

The episode concludes with a heartfelt prayer for healing and reconciliation between Christians and Jews, and a universal prayer for all people to come to know Christ fully. Father Mike encourages listeners to embrace the teachings of the Catechism with humility and responsibility.

Notable Quote:
"If my part in Christ's passion is not real, then my share in his resurrection is not real."
— Father Mike Schmitz [17:43]

He invites listeners to reflect on their own lives, urging them to trust in Jesus amidst their brokenness and to seek a deeper relationship with Him.

Key Takeaways

• Historical Context: The trial of Jesus was marked by divisions among Jewish authorities, and not all Jews were responsible for His crucifixion.

• Collective Responsibility: The Catechism clarifies that all sinners share responsibility for Jesus' Passion, shifting blame from specific groups to individual sinfulness.

• Church Teaching: Official Church documents, including those from the Second Vatican Council, firmly reject the notion of collective Jewish guilt for Jesus' death.

• Personal Accountability: Christians are called to recognize their own sins as contributors to Christ's suffering, fostering personal repentance and reconciliation.

• Interfaith Respect: Clear communication and education are essential in combating historical prejudices and promoting mutual understanding between Christians and Jews.

Father Mike Schmitz masterfully navigates complex theological and historical issues, providing clarity and encouraging personal reflection. This episode serves as a profound reminder of the importance of personal responsibility in faith and the ongoing journey towards reconciliation and understanding.