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

Episode: Day 94: Christ’s Ascension into Heaven (2026)

Date: April 4, 2026
Reading: Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paragraphs 659–667

Episode Overview

In this episode, Fr. Mike Schmitz examines the mystery and significance of Christ’s Ascension into heaven, as laid out in the Catechism’s Article 6: “He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.” Fr. Mike explores how the Ascension completes Christ’s saving work, uniting humanity and divinity, granting us access to the Father, and making possible our participation in heavenly worship. The episode draws deeply from the Catechism, linking scripture to doctrine and highlighting the profound impact the Ascension has on Christian faith and life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Christ’s Body Glorified and the Mystery of the Ascension

• Glorification during Resurrection:
  • At the moment of resurrection, Jesus’ body was glorified, but that glory was veiled during the 40 days when he appeared to disciples. (01:56)
  • “His body was glorified at the moment of his resurrection. Got it. Incredible. But that glory is hidden during the 40 days when he eats and drinks with the disciples and teaches them about the kingdom.”
• Irreversible Entry into Divine Glory:
  • The Ascension marks the “irreversible entry” of Christ’s humanity into divine glory—he brings our humanity definitively into the life of God. (02:41)
  • “This final apparition, this final presence of Jesus Christ on the earth in this particular way, ends with the irreversible entry of humanity into divine glory.” – Fr. Mike

Theological Significance: Completion of Salvation

• Culmination of Saving Mission:
  • The Ascension completes Christ’s earthly saving mission, which began with the Incarnation and reaches fulfillment as Jesus opens heaven to humanity. (03:30)
  • “Christ's ascension completes the saving mission that he began in the Incarnation... it culminates with this ascension into heaven.”
• Heaven’s Gates Opened:
  • Not only does Christ’s death redeem us, but his resurrection and Ascension “open the gates of heaven for humanity.”
  • “Because the humanity that Jesus assumed is brought definitively up into divinity.” (04:00)

Access to the Father

• Humanity’s Inability and Christ’s Gift:
  • Humanity alone cannot access the Father’s house; only Christ can open this way for us. (13:10)
  • “Left to its own natural power humanity does not have access to the Father's house, to God's life and happiness. Only Christ can open to man such access...” (Catechism 661)
• Our Participation in Christ’s Offering:
  • Through the Ascension, we are united to Jesus’ self-offering to the Father; we become part of that offering as members of his body.
  • “We are united to that offering, that we become part of that offering, participate in that offering, so that we ourselves may offer ourselves to you continually in this life and... in eternal life forever.” (05:15)

Ascension and Christ’s Priestly Role

• Permanent Intercession:
  • Christ, the eternal High Priest, now perpetually intercedes for us in heaven. (17:10)
  • “There Christ permanently exercises his priesthood, for he always lives to make intercession for those who draw near to God through Him.” – (Catechism 662, Hebrews reference)
• Heavenly Liturgy and Mass:
  • Jesus is “the center and principal actor of the liturgy that honors the Father in heaven.” Earthly liturgy participates in this ongoing worship.
  • “Every time we offer the Mass... we are tapping into that once for all sacrifice... what is constantly, permanently happening in heaven.” (18:30)

Impact and Implications of the Ascension

• What Difference Does the Ascension Make?
  • Redeems and unites humanity with divinity.
  • Grants access to the Father and opens heaven.
  • Enables participation in divine worship.
  • Makes the Mass on earth a share in the heavenly liturgy. (20:05)
  • “Humanity united to divinity irrevocably, heaven opened. We have access to the life and the love, the happiness of the Father. And we get to participate in this worship that is happening constantly in heaven every time we participate in the worship of the Mass on Earth.” – Fr. Mike

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Ascension as Culmination:

  • “The Ascension completes the saving mission that began in the Incarnation… it culminates with this ascension into heaven.” (03:30)

• On Our Access to God:

  • “On our own we do not have access to the Father... except for the fact that Jesus has brought our humanity to heaven. And because of that, we now have access to the Father and He has access to us, which is again just remarkable.” (13:50)

• On Heavenly Liturgy:

  • “Jesus himself is the center and principal actor of the liturgy that honors the Father in Heaven…and when we participate in that liturgy, when we go to the Mass, that is what is happening.” (18:50)

• On the Impact of the Ascension:

  • “What difference does the Ascension make? Man, for one, completes the work of redemption... we have access now, access to the Father's house in a way that was impossible before.” (20:05)

• Final Praise and Encouragement:

  • “Lord, thank you so much for this gift… humanity united to divinity irrevocably, heaven opened… What a gift. Please pray for each other. I'm praying for you. Please pray for me.” (21:00)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:47 – Introduction to the topic & reading plan references
• 01:56 – Initial exposition: Christ’s glorified body and veiling of glory
• 03:30 – The Ascension and completion of Christ’s saving work
• 05:00 – Opening prayer of gratitude for the Ascension
• 12:50 – Catechism reading on access to the Father, humanity's limitation (Paragraph 661)
• 13:50 – Reflection on Christ’s opening of heaven
• 15:30 – “When I am lifted up...” and the link to the Ascension (Paragraph 662)
• 17:10 – Christ’s priesthood and intercession (Hebrews reference)
• 18:30 – Jesus as the center of heavenly liturgy, Mass as participation
• 20:05 – Summary: Difference the Ascension makes
• 21:00 – Closing encouragement and intercessory request

Summary Table of Main Takeaways

| Main Point | Catechism Reference | Key Quote or Paraphrase | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------|---------------------|--------------------------------------------------|-----------| | Christ’s Ascension completes salvation | 659-661 | “The Ascension completes the saving mission...” | 03:30 | | Access to the Father open only through Christ | 661 | “Only Christ can open to man such access...” | 12:50 | | Christ as eternal priest, intercedes for us | 662 | “He always lives to make intercession...” | 17:10 | | Our worship is participation in heavenly liturgy | 662 | “Jesus is the center and principal actor...” | 18:30 | | Ascension’s impact: Redemption fulfilled, heaven opened | 659-667 | “What difference does the Ascension make? ...” | 20:05 |

Conclusion

Fr. Mike centralizes the Ascension as a “remarkable, irrevocable” uniting of humanity with divinity, emphasizing that this event is not just a chapter in Christian history but the very hinge through which heaven is opened, salvation completed, and the entire life of faith is fundamentally changed. The listener is invited to reflect with deep gratitude on the supernatural realities made present in the Ascension, especially as lived in the Mass and Christian worship.

“Praise God today for the fact that... Jesus ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty is part of our faith and is part of our relationship with God.” (21:00 – Fr. Mike Schmitz)

For continued insight and reflection, Fr. Mike encourages the audience to pray for each other and to consider the wonders of God’s love made fully manifest in the Ascension.