This episode explores the origin, foundation, and mission of the Church, drawing primarily from paragraphs 758-766 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Against the backdrop of the Fall and humanity's separation from God, Fr. Mike Schmitz explains that the Church was God's plan from the beginning, a "plan born in the Father's heart." More significantly, the episode details the Church's progressive realization throughout history, highlighting its foreshadowing in the Old Covenant and its ultimate institution by Christ. For instance, the remote preparation is traced back to God's call of Abraham, while the immediate preparation is linked to Israel's election as God's people. The episode emphasizes the Church as the Kingdom of God already present, visible in Christ's actions and teachings, and symbolized by the blood and water flowing from his side on the cross, representing the Eucharist and Baptism. Ultimately, the episode underscores the Church's divine origin, not a human invention, and its enduring structure established by Christ, emphasizing the shared mission, power, and suffering of its members.
