Summary of Podcast Episode: Day 9 – The Fullness of Revelation

Podcast Title: The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Episode Title: Day 9: The Fullness of Revelation
Release Date: January 9, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Produced by: Ascension

Introduction

In Day 9 of The Catechism in a Year podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz delves into Paragraphs 65 to 73 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. This episode explores the culmination of God's revelation through Jesus Christ, emphasizing that Christ represents the fullness of divine revelation, thereby marking the end of new public revelations.

Overview of the Reading Plan

Fr. Mike begins by referencing the Foundations of Faith approach, a color-coded system designed by Ascension to illuminate the Catechism's structure. He encourages listeners to follow along using the Ascension edition or any recent version of the Catechism. Resources, including the reading plan, are available at ascensionpress.com/ciy.

Main Topics Discussed

1. God's Progressive Revelation

Fr. Mike traces God's revelation from the Old Testament to the New Testament:

• Genesis: Introduction of God through Adam and Eve.
• Noah: Establishment of a covenant.
• Abraham, Moses, David, and the Prophets: Further revelations shaping the people of Israel.

2. Jesus Christ as the Fullness of Revelation

The central theme of the episode is the role of Jesus Christ in divine revelation:

• Complete Revelation: Fr. Mike emphasizes that Jesus is the "Word made flesh" (John 1:14), signifying that all of God's revelation is encapsulated in Him.
• No Further Revelation: Quoting the Catechism, he states, "There will be no other word than this one" (00:05).

3. No Further Public Revelation

Fr. Mike highlights that with Christ's revelation, no new public revelations will emerge:

• St. John of the Cross's Insight (10:45): "Any person questioning God or desiring some vision or revelation would be guilty not only of foolish behavior but also of offending Him by not fixing his eyes entirely upon Christ."
• Implications: Seeking new public revelations is both futile and disrespectful to the completeness of Christ's revelation.

4. Understanding Revelation's Completeness and Explicitness

While revelation is complete in Christ, its full significance unfolds over time:

• Incomplete Explicitness (15:30): The revelation "has not been made completely explicit."
• Gradual Understanding: Through Church councils and theological reflection, believers gradually grasp the depth of Christ's revelation.
• Example – Council of Jerusalem (20:15): Early Church debates on circumcision for non-Jewish Christians were resolved through council deliberation, reflecting the unfolding understanding of revelation.

5. Private Revelations

Fr. Mike explains the concept of private revelations:

• Definition: Personal or group experiences of revelation outside the public doctrine.
• Church's Stance: Some private revelations are recognized, but they do not add to or alter the public deposit of faith.
• Pope Benedict XVI on Private Revelations (25:00): "Its message contains nothing contrary to faith and morals... It can have a prophetic character and can be a valuable aid for better understanding and living the Gospel."
• Pope Benedict XIV's Guidance: Catholics may choose to accept or disregard private revelations, but should do so with respect and without contempt.

Key Quotes and Insights

• Fr. Mike Schmitz (00:05): "God has revealed Himself fully by sending His own Son, in whom He has established His covenant forever."

• St. John of the Cross (10:45): "No person questioning God or desiring some vision or revelation would be guilty not only of foolish behavior but also of offending Him..."

• Fr. Mike on Revelation's Explicitness (15:30): "Revelation is complete but not completely explicit yet. It unfolds or we grasp its significance over the course of the centuries."

• Pope Benedict XVI (25:00): "Private revelation... can have a certain prophetic character and can be a valuable aid for better understanding and living the Gospel at a certain time."

Insights and Reflections

Fr. Mike underscores the importance of focusing on Christ as the definitive source of divine revelation. He cautions against the human tendency to seek novelty or control through additional revelations, drawing parallels to C.S. Lewis's concept of "the next big thing." This search can lead believers away from the fullness of Christ’s message.

He also reflects on how understanding revelation evolves, as seen in early Church decisions, emphasizing the dynamic nature of theological comprehension within the unchanging foundation of Christ's revelation.

Conclusion

In wrapping up Day 9, Fr. Mike Schmitz reinforces that Jesus Christ embodies the fullness of God’s revelation, eliminating the need for further public revelations. However, the Church continues to deepen its understanding of this revelation over time. While private revelations may inspire and enrich faith, they remain supplementary and non-obligatory for Catholics.

Fr. Mike closes with a prayer, inviting listeners to seek and embrace the complete revelation found in Christ, and expresses his gratitude for accompanying them on this journey through the Catechism.

Notable Timestamps

• 00:05: Introduction to Day 9 and the reading assignment.
• 10:45: Discussion on St. John of the Cross's commentary on Hebrews.
• 15:30: Exploration of the completeness and gradual understanding of revelation.
• 20:15: Example of the Council of Jerusalem resolving early doctrinal questions.
• 25:00: Insights from Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Benedict XIV on private revelations.

This episode provides a comprehensive understanding of how Jesus Christ serves as the pinnacle of God's revelation, the role of the Church in interpreting this revelation, and the place of private revelations within Catholic faith. Fr. Mike Schmitz effectively guides listeners to appreciate the depth and completeness of Catholic doctrine while navigating the nuances of ongoing theological development.