Day 92: The Man of Heaven (2025) - The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)

Day 92: The Man of Heaven (2025)

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

Published: Wed Apr 02 2025

The Catechism demonstrates how Christ’s resurrection is “essentially different” from other cases of resurrection in the Bible and shows us how his rising from the dead is a “work of the Holy Trinity.” Fr. Mike emphasizes that Jesus was not merely “resuscitated” from the dead, as Jairus’ daughter or Lazarus, but he rose from the dead glorified, “filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.” Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 645-650.

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) Episode: Day 92: The Man of Heaven (2025)
Release Date: April 2, 2025

Introduction

In Day 92 of The Catechism in a Year podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz delves into paragraphs 645 to 650 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Building upon the previous discussion about the Resurrection as both a historical and transcendent event, today's episode explores the profound mystery of Christ's resurrected humanity, the transcendent nature of the Resurrection, and the collaborative work of the Holy Trinity in this divine event.

Review of Previous Episode

Fr. Mike begins by recapping the insights from Day 91, where he emphasized the Resurrection as an event that surpasses historical understanding. He highlighted that while the Resurrection is a pivotal historical event evidenced by the empty tomb and Christ's appearances to His disciples, it fundamentally transcends human history and understanding.

Main Topics Covered

1. The Condition of Christ's Risen Humanity

Fr. Mike examines how Jesus' resurrected body maintains continuity with His pre-resurrection state while also embodying new, glorified properties:

Continuity with the Crucified Body:
"By means of touch and the sharing of a meal, the risen Jesus establishes direct contact with his disciples... to verify that the risen body in which he appears to them is the same body that had been tortured and crucified," (00:08). Jesus retains the marks of His Passion, affirming the authenticity of His resurrection.
Glorious Properties of the Resurrected Body:
"This authentic, real body possesses the new properties of a glorious body, not limited by space and time, but able to be present how and when he wills," (14:30). Unlike the individuals Jesus previously raised from the dead—who returned to ordinary earthly lives—His resurrected body transcends physical limitations, enabling Him to appear and disappear at will.
Distinct from Previous Miracles:
Fr. Mike contrasts Jesus' Resurrection with His prior miracles of raising Jairus' daughter, the young man of Naim, and Lazarus. While those were instances of resuscitation, Jesus' Resurrection signifies a passage into eternal, glorified life:
"Christ's resurrection is essentially different... he passes from the state of death to another life beyond time and space," (32:15).

2. The Resurrection as a Transcendent Event

The Resurrection is not merely an event in history but a divine mystery that transcends human comprehension:

Lack of Eyewitness Accounts:
"No evangelist describes [the Resurrection]... no one can say how it came about physically," (45:50). The absence of a detailed eyewitness narrative underscores its transcendent nature.
Revelation to the Disciples:
"The risen Christ does not reveal himself to the world, but to his disciples," (39:10). This selective revelation emphasizes the intimate and mysterious nature of the Resurrection.
Mystery Over History:
"It remains at the very heart of the mystery of faith that the resurrection is something that transcends and surpasses history," (47:25). The Resurrection is fundamentally a supernatural event that goes beyond historical documentation.

3. The Resurrection as the Work of the Holy Trinity

Fr. Mike elucidates the collaborative nature of the Resurrection as an act of the entire Holy Trinity:

Unified Action of the Trinity:
"In the Resurrection, the three divine persons act together as one," (55:40). The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work in perfect unity to accomplish the Resurrection.
Introduction of Christ's Humanity into the Trinity:
"The Father's power raised up Christ his Son, and by doing so, perfectly introduced His Son's humanity, including his body, into the Trinity," (62:55). This profound union signifies that Christ's human nature is fully integrated into the divine life of the Trinity.
Jesus’ Divine Power in Resurrection:
"He (the Son) effects his own resurrection by virtue of his divine power," (68:10). While the Father initiates the Resurrection, Jesus exercises His own divine authority, highlighting the co-equal roles within the Trinity.
Reflections on Divine Condescension:
Fr. Mike contemplates the depth of God's love and condescension in uniting human nature with divine nature:
"God did not merely condescend to be one of us, but he assumed our human nature into his glorious divine nature. Amazing," (75:20).
Implications for the Devil's Rebellion:
He speculates on the possible reasons behind the Devil's rebellion, suggesting that God's profound act of uniting humanity with divinity might have been overwhelming:
"Maybe that's just too much for this angelic being to take...," (80:35).

Notable Quotes

On the Nature of the Resurrected Body:

"This authentic, real body possesses the new properties of a glorious body, not limited by space and time, but able to be present how and when he wills." (14:30)
On the Transcendent Mystery of the Resurrection:

"It remains at the very heart of the mystery of faith that the resurrection is something that transcends and surpasses history." (47:25)
On the Trinity's Role in the Resurrection:

"The Father's power raised up Christ his Son, and by doing so, perfectly introduced His Son's humanity, including his body, into the Trinity." (62:55)
Reflecting on Divine Condescension:

"God did not merely condescend to be one of us, but he assumed our human nature into his glorious divine nature." (75:20)

Conclusion

Fr. Mike Schmitz's exploration in Day 92 offers a deep and nuanced understanding of the Resurrection, emphasizing its uniqueness and divine mystery. By examining the nature of Christ's resurrected humanity, the transcendent aspect of the Resurrection, and the collaborative work of the Holy Trinity, listeners are invited to ponder the profound depths of their faith. The episode sets the stage for the next day's discussion, promising further insights into the meaning and salvific significance of the Resurrection.

Upcoming Episode: Day 93 will delve into the meaning and saving significance of the Resurrection, exploring how Jesus' victory over death transforms believers' lives and their journey towards eternal life.

Note: This summary is crafted to provide a comprehensive overview of the podcast episode for those who have not listened, capturing the essence of the discussions, key insights, and significant theological reflections presented by Fr. Mike Schmitz.