Day 88: Christ’s Definitive Sacrifice

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

Published: Sat Mar 29 2025

Christ’s death is the unique and definitive sacrifice. It is both the Paschal Sacrifice that accomplishes redemption and the sacrifice of the New Covenant that restores man’s communion with God. Fr. Mike tell us that Jesus Christ is the one mediator, and yet invites us to participate in his sacrifice when he calls on us to take up our crosses and follow him. When we accept our sufferings out of love, we are united to Christ. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 613-623.

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) - Day 88: Christ’s Definitive Sacrifice

Podcast Information:

Title: The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Host: Ascension
Episode: Day 88: Christ’s Definitive Sacrifice
Release Date: March 29, 2025
Duration: Approximately 20 minutes

Introduction to the Episode

In Day 88 of The Catechism in a Year, Fr. Mike Schmitz delves into Paragraphs 613 to 623 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, focusing on Christ’s death as the unique and definitive sacrifice. This episode explores the profound theological implications of Christ's crucifixion, emphasizing its role in humanity's redemption and reconciliation with God.

Understanding Christ’s Death as a Sacrifice

Fr. Mike begins by clarifying a common misconception: Christ’s death was not merely an execution. While [00:05] to [00:30] he acknowledges that to a Roman observer, the crucifixion might appear as just another execution, for believers, Christ's death holds a deeper, sacrificial significance.

Key Points:

Dual Nature of Christ's Sacrifice: Christ's death serves as both the Paschal Sacrifice, accomplishing the definitive redemption of humanity, and the Sacrifice of the New Covenant, restoring communion with God.

[04:45] Fr. Mike Schmitz: "Christ's death is both the Paschal sacrifice that accomplishes the definitive redemption of men through the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and the sacrifice of the New Covenant which restores man to communion with God by reconciling him to God through the blood of the covenant."
Fulfillment of Old Covenant Sacrifices: Unlike the numerous sacrifices in the Old Testament, Christ's sacrifice is unique and surpasses all previous offerings.

[06:30] Fr. Mike Schmitz: "The sacrifice of Christ completes and surpasses all other sacrifices. Jesus is the priest who doesn't offer up a sacrifice outside of himself. He's a priest who is the sacrifice as well."

The Uniqueness and Supremacy of Christ’s Sacrifice

Fr. Mike emphasizes that Christ's sacrifice is unparalleled in its ability to redeem and reconcile humanity with God.

Highlights:

Divine and Human Union: Christ, as both God and man, uniquely possesses the capacity to offer Himself as a perfect sacrifice.

[10:15] Fr. Mike Schmitz: "Jesus substitutes his obedience for our disobedience. By one man's obedience, many will be made righteous by his obedience unto death."
Reparation and Atonement: The sacrifice serves as reparation for human disobedience, fulfilling the requirements of atonement and satisfaction for sins.

[12:50] Fr. Mike Schmitz: "It is the love that entered into the pain. It was the obedience that is redemption, reparation. It is atonement and satisfaction."

Participation in Christ’s Sacrifice

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to understanding how believers participate in Christ's sacrifice, especially through the Eucharist.

Key Insights:

Daily Participation Through the Mass: Every Mass is a re-presentation of Christ’s sacrifice, allowing believers to actively participate in it.

[18:20] Fr. Mike Schmitz: "Every time you go to Mass, that is what is happening. At the altar, it is the unbloody sacrifice of Christ. We get to participate in that."
Glory to the Father and Redemption of the World: The Mass serves two primary purposes:
1. Glory to God the Father
2. Redemption of the world through Christ’s sacrifice
[19:45] Fr. Mike Schmitz: "Every single time we celebrate the Mass and participate in the Mass, it gives glory to the Father and it saves the world."
Universal Call to Participation: Christ’s incarnate divine person unites Him with every individual, offering everyone the possibility to share in the paschal mystery.

[22:10] Fr. Mike Schmitz: "The possibility of being made partners in a way known to God in the paschal mystery is offered to all men."

The Daily Reality of Christ’s Sacrifice

Fr. Mike underscores that Christ’s sacrifice is not confined to historical events but is a continuing reality in the lives of believers.

Points Covered:

Beyond Liturgical Seasons: While traditional practices like the Stations of the Cross focus on Christ's passion during Lent, His sacrifice permeates daily life.

[23:30] Fr. Mike Schmitz: "The reality, of course, is that the sacrifice of Christ is a daily part of our lives."
Transformation Through Sacrifice: Emphasizing that understanding Christ's sacrifice is meant not just for knowledge but for personal transformation.

[25:00] Fr. Mike Schmitz: "This is not about information transfer. This is about transformation. It's about conversion."

Concluding Insights and Prayer

Fr. Mike closes the episode by reflecting on the immense love of God demonstrated through Christ's sacrifice and encourages listeners to embrace their participation in this divine mystery.

Final Thoughts:

Personal Embrace of Sacrifice: The invitation to allow the truth of Christ's sacrificial love to penetrate one's heart and to actively participate in His passion for the salvation of the world.

[27:15] Fr. Mike Schmitz: "I am praying that all of us will let this truth penetrate our hearts. To embrace that share in his passion for the salvation of the world and for the Father's glory."
Communal Prayer: Fr. Mike concludes with a prayer, seeking God's help for believers to emulate Christ's obedience and to offer their daily lives as a continuation of His sacrifice.

[28:40] Fr. Mike Schmitz: "Help us to say yes as well. Help us to have the same obedience that you had, Jesus, to the Father."

Notable Quotes

On the Nature of Christ’s Sacrifice:

[06:30] Fr. Mike Schmitz: "Jesus is the priest who doesn't offer up a sacrifice outside of himself. He's a priest who is the sacrifice as well."
On Participation in the Sacrifice:

[18:20] Fr. Mike Schmitz: "At the altar, it is the unbloody sacrifice of Christ. We get to participate in that."
On Transformation Through Love:

[25:00] Fr. Mike Schmitz: "This is about transformation. It's about conversion."
On Divine Love and Obedience:

[27:15] Fr. Mike Schmitz: "To embrace that share in his passion for the salvation of the world and for the Father's glory."

Conclusion

Day 88 of The Catechism in a Year provides a deep and comprehensive exploration of Christ’s definitive sacrifice, highlighting its uniqueness, its role in salvation history, and the believer's participation in this divine mystery. Fr. Mike Schmitz effectively bridges the theological concepts with practical applications, encouraging listeners to internalize and live out the sacrificial love demonstrated by Christ.

For those seeking to understand the essentials of the Catholic Faith and the profound meanings behind its doctrines, this episode offers valuable insights and spiritual nourishment.

End of Summary