The Catechism in a Year – Day 294 – Homicide

Continuing our examination of the fifth commandment, we look at various ways in which one may sin against this commandment as it relates to homicide. The Catechism addresses three categories of homicide: direct and intentional killing, indirectly killing, and unintentionally killing. Fr. Mike explores this grave topic with resonating examples and explains the varying degrees of moral culpability. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2268-2269.

Click on link: https://youtu.be/dqwpIUnrB60?si=aCuTAOO7tbV4fPNw


The Catechism in a Year – Day 293 – Legitimate Defense

Is there ever a time where legitimate defense is justifiable? The Catechism answers this question and how it relates to honoring the dignity of the human person as we dive deeper into the fifth commandment. We learn about defense of ourselves and others, principles of crime and punishment, and capital punishment. Fr. Mike also explains the Church’s current teaching on the death penalty and why it has changed over time. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2263-2267.

Click on link: https://youtu.be/avbIiFbonnI?si=89yucDZjyXBZNAyQ


The Catechism in a Year – Day 292 – Respect for Human Life

We begin exploring the fifth commandment: “you shall not kill”. The Catechism reminds us that human life is sacred, and we must not take the life of another innocent human. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus takes this commandment even further as he calls us to avoid anger, hatred, and vengeance in addition to loving our enemies. By forgiving and extending to others the same love and mercy we are willing to extend to ourselves, we are respecting the dignity of that person. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2258-2262.

Click on link: https://youtu.be/4bu9eP2P568?si=z0NH2CAqY9H-PQh8


The Catechism in a Year – Day 291 – The Political Community and the Church

We take a look at what the Catechism teaches about the Church in relation to political communities. Every institution has their own vision of what it means to be human, which shapes their policies. Because the Church knows the truth, that every person is made in the image and likeness of God, the Church must weigh in to ensure that the dignity of the human person is at the forefront of political decisions and policies. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2244-2257.

Click on link: https://youtu.be/4ez8_W6K2YQ?si=InTnjbz5LsPWaIa_


The Catechism in a Year – Day 289 – Family, Society, and the Kingdom

While family is important, the Catechism states, “The first vocation of the Christian is to follow Jesus.” This means that parents should support Christ’s call for their children. Fr. Mike explains that when we deny Jesus or his teachings for the sake of our families, we are making an idol of the family. We also learn the duties of civil authorities. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2232-2237.

Click on link: https://youtu.be/GA7bWqW0EjM?si=cuj9eAMzhs0QCkc2


The Catechism in a Year – Day 288 – The Duties of Parents

Being a parent is far more than just having kids. As the Catechism reminds us, the fruitfulness of married love extends to the moral and spiritual education of a couple’s children. Parents are the primary educators of their children, especially in the ways of virtue and prayer. Fr. Mike reminds us that it is also parents’ privilege to evangelize their children. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2221-2231.

Click on link: https://youtu.be/sZ-UvMcIA5E?si=GR9zEzOgVnFL9Lhi


The Catechism in a Year – Day 286 – The Family and Society

The family is the foundational element of society. Fr. Mike explains how families initiate us into societal life and act as the foundation of freedom and community. Because of its indispensable importance, we learn that civil authorities are responsible for supporting and honoring the family. Familial relationships also enlighten those found in society; we see our neighbor not as an anonymous individual but as “someone.” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2207-2213.

Click on link: https://youtu.be/LDgpR-Hcev8?si=qj3wvPobWuIOCZbC


The Catechism in a Year – Day 285 – The Nature of the Family

In learning the core and fundamental definition of the family, we read today that a family is formed by a “man and a woman united in marriage, together with their children.” The Christian family is a communion of faith, hope, and love and an image of the Trinity. Fr. Mike shares how important he believes friendship and family are in spreading the Good News of the Gospel. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2201-2206.

Click on link: https://youtu.be/9BaR9ub5eG8?si=VIA4hYyydKo4f0kU


The Catechism in a Year – Day 282 – The Sunday Obligation

Why are Catholics obligated to attend Mass every Sunday? The Catechism teaches us today about the centrality of the Sunday celebration of the Eucharist in the life of the Church. Fr. Mike emphasizes that Sunday Mass is at the heart of our worship because it is the participation in the representation of the Paschal Mystery. He invites us to honor the Sunday obligation out of love for Jesus. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2177-2183.

Click on link: https://youtu.be/6xy6GkQVQ44?si=2FxoZ_C9o1POpJiQ


The Catechism in a Year – Day 281 – Keep Holy the Lord’s Day

We begin exploring the Third Commandment and learn about rest and worship concerning the Lord’s Day. The Catechism points out that God models what he wants for us as he also rested on the seventh day. Fr. Mike explains the importance of prioritizing rest for ourselves because we are free and no longer enslaved people. The Catechism describes how we are to keep the Lord’s Day holy with “outward, visible, public, and regular worship ‘as a sign of his universal beneficence to all.’” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2168-2176.

Click on link: https://youtu.be/7UqszpI7_WM?si=EfwNSLNjqUmP42Ti