logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2024
13m 36s

Day 5: How We Know God (2024)

ASCENSION
About this episode

What can we know about God? The Catechism tells us three important things: 1) We can know God with our human reason, but 2) that knowledge will always be limited, and 3) we rely on God to reveal himself to us. Fr. Mike warns us that learning who God is requires self-surrender and abnegation, for the human heart struggles to recognize the infinite gap between Creator and created. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 36-43.

Unlock the full experience of The Catechism in a Year (with Father Mike Schmitz) with the Ascension App! Get access to an interactive reading plan, the complete text of the Catechism, episode transcripts, summaries, and more.

This episode has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism by the Institute on the Catechism, under the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB.

For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/ciy

Please note: The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Up next
Yesterday
Day 192: Unity in the Eucharist (2025)
The sacrament of Holy Communion unites the faithful together in a most profound, visible way. It also makes disunity in the Church all the more painful and apparent. The Catechism reveals the Church’s teachings regarding the Eucharist and Christian churches who are not in full co ... Show More
18m 14s
Jul 10
Day 191: The Eucharist Changes Us (2025)
As the popular adage goes, “you are what you eat.” The Catechism tells us that, as food nourishes the body, so Jesus present in Holy Communion nourishes the soul. It especially highlights the Eucharist’s role in separating us from sin. Fr. Mike reminds us we must be open to chang ... Show More
17m 35s
Jul 9
Day 190: Receiving Holy Communion (2025)
The Catechism goes over the prerequisites to receiving Jesus in the Eucharist, as well as how often the faithful can and should receive him. Fr. Mike ensures that we understand the gravity of our obligation to go to the sacrament of Reconciliation before receiving Communion. As S ... Show More
19m 37s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2024
Knowing God's Truth
When considering theology, you may think of confusing, lofty terminology that only concerns scholars and pastors. But really, theology is for anyone who wants to understand God better and learn more about the Bible. Carl and Todd welcome Jon Nielson, pastor of Christ Presbyterian ... Show More
26m 20s
Jun 2023
The Charismatic Life of the Christian
The Arena Podcast is the flagship of Patristic Nectar Publications and contains the Sunday Sermons and other theological reflections by Father Josiah Trenham delivered from the ambon of St. Andrew Church in Riverside, California and begun in 2010. Currently there are more than 60 ... Show More
21m 5s
Oct 2023
Que peut-on connaître de Dieu ? (Catéchisme catholique)
Que connaît-on de Dieu ? Comment parler de Dieu ? Est-il possible de l'oublier ? Plongez dans la connaissance naturelle de Dieu et approfondissez votre foi avec cette première vidéo de catéchisme du père Louis Thomazo. 
17m 33s
Feb 2024
Day 55: Obedience to God (2024)
Fr. Mike underscores the importance of obeying God as he reads from Numbers 4 and Deuteronomy 4. We also read Psalm 88 and learn how it foreshadows the darkness Christ endured on the cross. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bib ... Show More
24m 58s
Nov 2023
Day 58: The Hierarchy of Creation (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
As we continue walking through the creation story, St. Augustine draws out the spiritual implications of the days of creation. He describes what it means for us to have dominion over the things of the world. Fr. Jacob-Bertrand Janczyk and Fr. Gregory Pine discuss this authority t ... Show More
24m 45s
Mar 2024
What God Seeks - Sunday of the Prodigal Son 2024
The Arena Podcast is the flagship of Patristic Nectar Publications and contains the Sunday Sermons and other theological reflections by Father Josiah Trenham delivered from the ambon of St. Andrew Church in Riverside, California, and begun in 2010. Currently, there are more than ... Show More
35m 39s
Jan 2024
Forbidden Knowledge!
Today Chris shares some fascinating passages from a book entitled: Intellectual Appetite--A Theological Grammar by Paul J. Griffiths. In the book Griffiths contrasts two forms of intellectual appetite: "curiositas" and "studiositas" and why one form of knowledge enriches the soul ... Show More
1h 3m
Jun 2024
Prefigurements and Prophecies - The Mystery of Christ: An Athonite Catechism (L.13)
(Lesson 13) — Prefigurements and Prophecies Come and sit at the feet of the professors of the Desert, those initiated into the Mystery. They will guide us through the entirety of the Economy of Salvation, from the pre-existence of the Logos, to His Revelation and Incarnation, and ... Show More
1h 25m
Oct 2023
Day 12: Attachment and Grief (The Confessions of St. Augustine)
Sifting through the grief of losing his friend, St. Augustine analyzes whether he is more attached to his friend or to the suffering itself. He notes that while the Lord wants us to grieve, there is a holy way to mourn the loss of loved ones. Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Jacob-Bertra ... Show More
24m 30s