Tag: missionary discipleship

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Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

three people holding wrists with words from gospel mark 12:31

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Mass Readings

Reading 1: Deuteronomy 6:2-6
Responsorial: Psalm 18:2-4, 47, 51
Reading 2: Hebrews 7:23-28
Gospel: Mark 12:28b-34

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/103121.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Welcome back for another edition of deacon rudy’s notes. I’m your host, Deacon Rudy Villarreal and together we’re going to break open the Word!

In today’s Gospel, a scribe approaches Jesus out of what seems like a spirit of goodwill. <1> He asks Jesus which is the greatest commandment (Mark 12:28b).

Why?

The Torah has 613 commandments! There were often debates among scholars whether anyone commandment was superior or provided a framework for the rest.

Jesus answers the scribe, “The first is this: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31)

The scribe says to Jesus, “Well said, teacher.” (Mark 12:32) You see, the scribe knows that Jesus didn’t dodge the question. The law was so important that Jesus said it two ways. <2> You cannot say you love God but turn around and hate your neighbor or worse – pretend they don’t exist.

What happens next is extraordinary. Jesus gives the scribe the single greatest compliment given to anyone in the Gospel. <3> Jesus tells the scribe, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” (Mark 12:34)

Why did Jesus pay the scribe a compliment? Because the scribe gets it. You can’t just talk the talk. You have to walk the walk!

But the compliment is also a challenge! Jesus said, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” He didn’t say the scribe was already there. The scribe is on the right path but hasn’t fully realized missionary discipleship in his life.

This is a wildly important point for us. The scribe in Mark’s Gospel account is an example for all of us. How can we do better? By remembering that everyone we encounter is a creation of God. Everyone – even those people we don’t agree with – are worthy of our love and respect simply because they are created in the image and likeness of God.

Living that can be a tall order in our lives. How can we grow in understanding the Greatest Commandment? One way is to step outside our comfort zone – to go to the margins like Pope Francis suggests. The Pope reminds us that we are encouraged to reach out to people around the world.

I am a missionary disciple and I volunteer with Friends of los Niños. We work with orphans and abandoned children in Honduras, and we also minister in villages like Brisas del Salto. Why? Why should we travel or send support to a program outside our own country when there is so much need in our own country? That is an excellent question!

Traveling to another country and ministering to the poor is like jumping into a swimming pool filled with cold water. It shocks us awake. There is a family of children at the orphanage where we work. Mom was desperate. She had no income – no means of supporting her family of 6 children and her baby. She was all alone. So, one day, she decided to force-feed each of her children poison. Maybe she thought if she killed her babies, she could spare them from going to bed hungry one more time.

Through God’s providence, mom didn’t give her children enough poison to actually kill any of the children. Oh, they got sick and that’s how she got caught. The children came to COPPROME, the orphanage where we minister. Today, the youngest, that little baby, is a healthy growing boy. He’s sharp as a tack and honestly a little spoiled by all the love and attention he’d get when he was a baby.

You see, that’s one of the main things we do through our sponsorship program – we shower the children and the staff with love. We share our love for God with these innocent children. Through our work, we offer these children and the villagers we work with some hope – hope that God has not abandoned them – hope that God hears their prayers.

Who is we? We are all the people – people just like you – who sign up to sponsor children at the orphanage or at the village of Brisas del Salto. People like you who travel with us to Honduras to see for yourselves where the money goes. People like you who look into the eyes of these beautiful children and say to them, “You can make a difference!” How can we say that? That is the hope of Sister Teresita Gonzalez. She is a School Sister of Notre Dame and her life’s work has been to try to break the cycle of poverty through education.

Our work is not easy. We’ve had some ups and we’ve had some downs. Two of the graduates from the orphanage – two sisters, Karen and Amerita – became psychologists. Not only do they maintain a thriving practice but inspired by people like you who’ve they’ve met over the years, they became quite the entrepreneurs. They started youth leadership program augmented by coaching and counseling to help shape the next generation. And they work with children at the orphanage. We lost Karen through an act of senseless violence, but Amerita pushed forward with the love and support of friends including many volunteers from the United States. Amerita recently got married and Katrina was fortunate enough to be in town for the wedding. Going on is made easier by the example of our volunteers who model strength and resolve.

These two sisters are a success story despite the tragedy they’ve experienced. Their hope is a gift from God and nourished by volunteers who travel to Honduras to share the love of Jesus Christ. There are so many more opportunities to help – so many children with tremendous potential to make a difference. All they need is our love, encouragement, and support. Won’t you join us? As one of the priests who travels with us says about our children, “I dare you not to fall in love!”

Homework! Nourished by the Word of God and the Eucharist, I encourage you to reflect on the following challenge.

My brothers and sisters, through today’s Gospel, Jesus is inviting you to step up – to share your love for God by sharing your love with people like the children and villagers we work with in Honduras. I encourage you to think about the ways you can make a difference in the life of a child on the margins.

I think doing our homework will help us be the intentional disciples we are called to be. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Then go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen!

You’re listening to deacon rudy’s notes. Our theme music was composed by Silent Partner. You can find all sorts of helpful information on the website at www.deaconrudysnotes.org. I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal. Join me again next weekend as we break open the Word! Peace!

Image Credit: Unknown. JPG file.

Notes:
<1> Mary Healy, Hebrews, 246.
<2> Michael Himes, “Chapter Three: Incarnation.”
<3> Ibid.

References:
1. Healy, Mary. Hebrews. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2016. Kindle.
2. Healy, Mary. The Gospel of Mark. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2008. Kindle.
3. Himes, Michael. The Mystery of Faith: An Introduction to Catholicism. Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2004. Kindle.
4. Montague, George T. SM. Mark: A Popular Commentary on the Earliest Gospel. Steubenville, Ohio: Franciscan University Press, 1992.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. The two great commandments: 201-2, 2055, 2196
2. Jesus’ intercession for us: 519, 662, 2634, 2741
3. Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice made present in the liturgy: 1084-5, 1364-8
4. Priesthood of the old covenant: 1539-43
5. Holy orders in the economy of salvation: 1539-47
6. The first commandment: 2052, 2093-4
7. Commandments as a call for a response to love: 2083

Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/103121.cfm
Lectionary: 152

Reading 1
Deuteronomy 6:2-6
Moses spoke to the people, saying:
“Fear the LORD, your God,
and keep, throughout the days of your lives,
all his statutes and commandments which I enjoin on you,
and thus have long life.
Hear then, Israel, and be careful to observe them,
that you may grow and prosper the more,
in keeping with the promise of the LORD, the God of your fathers,
to give you a land flowing with milk and honey.

“Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone!
Therefore, you shall love the LORD, your God,
with all your heart,
and with all your soul,
and with all your strength.
Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today.”

Responsorial
Psalm 18:2-3, 3-4, 47, 51
R. (2) I love you, Lord, my strength.
I love you, O LORD, my strength,
O LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer.
R. I love you, Lord, my strength.
My God, my rock of refuge,
my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold!
Praised be the LORD, I exclaim,
and I am safe from my enemies.
R. I love you, Lord, my strength.
The LORD lives! And blessed be my rock!
Extolled be God my savior.
You who gave great victories to your king
and showed kindness to your anointed.
R. I love you, Lord, my strength.

Reading 2
Hebrews 7:23-28
Brothers and sisters:
The levitical priests were many
because they were prevented by death from remaining in office,
but Jesus, because he remains forever,
has a priesthood that does not pass away.
Therefore, he is always able to save those who approach God through him,
since he lives forever to make intercession for them.

It was fitting that we should have such a high priest:
holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners,
higher than the heavens.
He has no need, as did the high priests,
to offer sacrifice day after day,
first for his own sins and then for those of the people;
he did that once for all when he offered himself.
For the law appoints men subject to weakness to be high priests,
but the word of the oath, which was taken after the law,
appoints a son,
who has been made perfect forever.

Alleluia
John 14:23
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord;
and my father will love him and we will come to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Mark 12:28b-34
One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him,
“Which is the first of all the commandments?”
Jesus replied, “The first is this:
Hear, O Israel!
The Lord our God is Lord alone!
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.
The second is this:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
There is no other commandment greater than these.”
The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher.
You are right in saying,
‘He is One and there is no other than he.’
And ‘to love him with all your heart,
with all your understanding,
with all your strength,
and to love your neighbor as yourself’
is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding,
he said to him,
“You are not far from the kingdom of God.”
And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

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Solemnity of All Saints

Picture from an outdoor mass with John Paul II in Victory Square, Poland, 1979

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Mass Readings

Reading 1: Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14
Responsorial: Psalm 24:1BC-4AB, 5-6
Reading 2: 1 John 3:1-3
Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12A

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110120.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

All Saints’ Day is an opportunity to reflect on what it means to live as children of God. But before we get to that, let’s just do a little housekeeping, okay?

We don’t worship saints. Period. We worship God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

All believers are part of the community of saints. Why do we call some “saints?” Well, it’s definitely not for their benefit. As St. Paul tells us, the saints have already fought the good fight, they’ve run their race, and they kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7). And St. Bernard preaching in the 12th century said, “The saints have no need of honor from us; neither does our devotion add the slightest thing to what is theirs. Clearly, if we venerate their memory, it serves us, not them.” <1>

So, calling someone a “saint” is really a church thing. Why? Well, in our society today, we honor all sorts of people, right? We might hold up athletes, or actors and actresses, or successful and innovative businesspeople. We lift them up as inspiration and maybe even role models. How many children have thought to themselves, “I want to be just like him or her when I grow up!”

The Church lifts of people and calls them “saints” as role models for all of us. Some are martyrs for the faith, probably not unlike the three believers brutally murdered outside the Notre-Dame Basilica in Nice, France. Other saints lived lives of heroic virtue. We are all called to be holy. Jesus tells us, “You are therefore to be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). And the Second Vatican Council document, Lumen Gentium, devotes an entire chapter to the “Universal Call to Holiness”. <3> These saints are people who we believe made use of God grace – the same grace available to all of us – to help them in their quest for holiness.

Take for example the mother-physician Gianna Beretta Molla who in 1962 refused a life-saving procedure during her pregnancy that would have resulted in the abortion of her fourth baby. The Church lifts her up as an example of extraordinary faith and love.

Or take Blessed Stanley Rother, a priest from Oklahoma, who was murdered in 1981 in Guatemala. He had been recalled home but asked for permission and in fact returned to Guatemala despite the risks. In a letter to the faithful in Oklahoma, he wrote, “This is one of the reasons I have for staying in the face of physical harm. The shepherd cannot run at the first sign of danger.” <2> He is not just a role model for priests. He is a role model for all of us who are trying to live lives of intentional discipleship or as Pope Francis would say, missionary discipleship.

The lives of the saints and their stories should inspire us and hopefully give us some ideas about how we can live our lives in pursuit of holiness. Okay, this is the background for today’s celebration.

Today’s reading from Revelation paints a picture of heaven and there are people from all over the world dressed in white robes. They are martyrs for the faith. “These are those who come from the great trouble. And they washed their clothes and whitened them in the Lamb’s blood” (Revelation 7:14). In our second reading from First John, we are called “God’s children” (1 John 3:2).

What does it mean to be children of God?

Our Gospel today comes from the Sermon on the Mount which instructs us as disciples, believers, children of God, about justice. But Jesus teaches that justice should not be restricted to a perfunctory level, but he goes to the heart of the matter. We strive to be holy as the Father is holy. <4> And the path of the disciple is not easy. Most of us will never be asked to make the ultimate sacrifice like those three believers murdered in Nice, France this week. But we may face ridicule from our friends and families. We might even lose friendships over our faith. Jesus tells us:

• In a highly polarized world, Jesus wants us to forgive and turn the other cheek.
• In a world that values the symbols of wealth and the latest new “toy”, Jesus wants us to live humbly and to give generously.
• In a world scarred by war and division, Jesus wants us to love our enemies and to work for peace. <5>

All of us disciples are caught in a balancing act between what we need to do in this world to provide for families and the call to holiness. Every saint ever named understands this tug-of-war. Maybe that’s one of the reasons the Church asks us to celebrate “All Saints” today, so that we are inspired by those who have already run the race and who were filled with God’s grace. You see, we are not alone in the struggles we face. Every generation of believers has faced their own time of trial. While we should never stop working for justice, it is reassuring to know that we are united in faith with our brothers and sisters in Christ throughout time.

Homework! Inspired by the Word of God and by the Eucharist, I encourage you to reflect on the following two questions. First, when have I put more trust in this world that in God? Second, how can I live a simpler and more generous life?

I pray our homework will help us live our discipleship with greater conviction. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

Image Credit: Artist unknown. Pentecost Mass for 300,000 people celebrated by Pope John Paul II in Victory Square, Poland, 1979. JPG file.

Notes: Unless otherwise indicated, all Bible quotes are taken from The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.

<1> Saint Bernard, abbot, sermon (Sermo 2: Opera omnia, Edit. Cisterc. 5 [1968], 364-368).
<2> Beecroft, Mason (December 16, 2014). “Making the Case for Martyrdom.” This Land. This Land Press. Accessed October 30, 2020. https://thislandpress.com/2014/12/16/making-the-case-for-martyrdom/
<3> See Lumen Gentium, Chapter V, beginning with paragraph 39: https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html.
<4> O’Neil and Black, The Essential Moral Handbook, 127.
<5> “Sunday, November 1 All Saints” the Word Among Us. Web. https://wau.org/meditations/2020/11/01/176958/.

References:
1. Anderson, Kelly and Daniel Keating. James, First, Second, and Third John. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academics, 2017. Kindle.
2. Mitch, Curtis and Edward Sri. The Gospel of Matthew. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2010. Kindle.
4. O’Neil, Kevin J. C.Ss.R. and Peter Black, C.Ss.R. The Essential Moral Handbook: A guide to Catholic Living. Liguori, Missouri: Liguori, 2003.
5. Williamson, Peter S. Revelation. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academics, 2015. Kindle.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Seeing God in the beatific vision, 163, 1023, 1028, 2519
2. Heaven, 326
3. Poor in spirit, 544, 2546
4. Church as sacrament of unity of human race, 775
5. Heaven, 769, 1023-29
6. Celebrants of the heavenly liturgy, 1136-39, 2642
7. The new people of God, 1138
8. The seal, 1295-96
9. Revelation that we are children of God, 1692
10. Christian beatitude, 1716-24
11. Peace makers, 2305, 2330
12. Pure in heart, 2518
13. Confidence before God, 2633, 2777-78

Solemnity of All Saints https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110120.cfm
Lectionary: 667

Reading 1
Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14
I, John, saw another angel come up from the East,
holding the seal of the living God.
He cried out in a loud voice to the four angels
who were given power to damage the land and the sea,
“Do not damage the land or the sea or the trees
until we put the seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.”
I heard the number of those who had been marked with the seal,
one hundred and forty-four thousand marked
from every tribe of the children of Israel.

After this I had a vision of a great multitude,
which no one could count,
from every nation, race, people, and tongue.
They stood before the throne and before the Lamb,
wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.
They cried out in a loud voice:
“Salvation comes from our God, who is seated on the throne,
and from the Lamb.”

All the angels stood around the throne
and around the elders and the four living creatures.
They prostrated themselves before the throne,
worshiped God, and exclaimed:
“Amen. Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving,
honor, power, and might
be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”

Then one of the elders spoke up and said to me,
“Who are these wearing white robes, and where did they come from?”
I said to him, “My lord, you are the one who knows.”
He said to me,
“These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress;
they have washed their robes
and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb.”

Responsorial
Psalm 24:1BC-2, 3-4AB, 5-6
R. (see 6) Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
One whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

Reading 2
1 John 3:1-3
Beloved:
See what love the Father has bestowed on us
that we may be called the children of God.
Yet so we are.
The reason the world does not know us
is that it did not know him.
Beloved, we are God’s children now;
what we shall be has not yet been revealed.
We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him,
for we shall see him as he is.
Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure,
as he is pure.

Alleluia
Matthew 11:28
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Matthew 5:1-12A
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,
and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
He began to teach them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven.”

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Be Missionary Disciples

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Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mass Readings

First Reading: Isaiah 66:10-14C
Psalm: Psalm 66:1-7, 16, 20
Second Reading: Galatians 6:14-18
Gospel: Luke 10:1-12, 17-20

Today’s scriptures are about announcing the Good News. They remind us that announcing the Good News of the Kingdom of God, by our words, our deeds, our life, is not just the task of a few people. It’s not just about the priests and deacons and consecrated religious. No! Announcing the Good News is required of all baptized Christians.

In the first reading from Isaiah 66:10-14, Isaiah proclaims the good news to those who are returning from exile in Babylon. He tells them that Jerusalem will take care of them as a mother comforts her baby. Isaiah assures them that they will live a life in in the certainty of Yahweh’s promises of love, protection, prosperity and salvation.

In the Psalm, we hear, “Sing praise to the glory of God all the earth,” because of the wonders He has done.

In the second reading from Galatians 6:14-18, Paul tries to address the confusion created by those Judaizers, those ultra-conservative Judeo-Christians who insist that there their way is the only way. Paul reminds them and he reminds us that the mission of all of us is to bear witness to the saving power of the Cross through a life of sacrificial self-giving.

In today’s Gospel from Luke 10:1-12 and 17-20, we hear the story of the commissioning of the 72. The disciples are told to go out and preach the Good News of God’s love and salvation. He also gives them travel tips. They’re supposed to be walking witnesses of God’s Providence. They’re supposed to be living simple lives, preaching the Good News and healing the sick. It’s a reminder to us that of the 1.5 billion Christians in today’s world that all the baptized have the same message mission as the 72: to proclaim Good News of Jesus Christ to all the other non-Christians in this world. This makes sense, right? As disciples, we are called to share the Good News.

What’s a disciple? Three things make a disciple. First, accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Second, deepen your relationship with Jesus Christ by learning more about him. And third, we go out into the world to share the Good News, what Pope Francis calls being a missionary disciple. So, we all have the same responsibility as the 72. There are over 1.5 billion Christians in this world: about 1 billion Roman Catholics, and half a billion other Christians in 30,000 different denominations. That means that there are over 1.5 billion missionaries in the world. But how do we do it?


There’s a fascinating study coming out of Detroit, about why young adults join the Catholic Church despite the scandals. The vast majority of them say they first came to church by the personal invitation of a Catholic. Other say they were drawn to the church by people they encountered who live a lively relationship with Christ and His Church. Isn’t that interesting? As faithful Catholics, we can be good missionaries simply by living our lives as authentically as possible. But Here’s the catch. It’s really not an option. It’s our responsibility. We can’t miss the opportunity to be disciples, in everyday life, by our words and our deeds.

That means we need to avoid being counter-witnesses. The church was founded on Peter, humble uneducated fishermen who died for the Lord He loved. Compare his faith with “supermarket Catholics” or “cafeteria Catholics” or “barely-make-it-to-mass Catholics”. These kinds of Catholics bear counter-witness to Christ. Instead we are called to be heralds of the kingdom, and that starts in our own homes. For example, when spouses respect each other, we teach our children to respect others. Our neighbors then can experience the Kingdom in our own families.

But this is not an easy path. In today’s world, moral martyrs. These people aren’t being killed physically, but they’re persecuted in the media. They’re defamed or falsely accused just because of their profound love for Jesus Christ and the counter-cultural lifestyle they proclaim. They are not unlike the martyrs of the church.

The early church called people martyrs. Martyrs were people who died giving witness to Christ. The most important element wasn’t how they died. What was most important was their fidelity to the Faith, until their last moment in their lives. Martyrs are not something in the past – a subject of study. No, unfortunately, recent history of abounds with examples of martyrs from the civil war in Spain, religious persecution in Poland, Mexico, Vietnam, Russia, China, Africa. The names of Edit Stein from Germany; Maximilian Kolbe from Poland; Miguel Pro from Mexico; Pedro Poveda, Spain, Fr. Stanley Rother from Oklahoma, are just the beginning of a long list of innocent victims who died for their faith.

Even today, religious freedom is still denied in many countries, or very severely regulated, including countries you wouldn’t expect, like Switzerland where I currently live, where the faith is controlled by the government. Several Muslim nations forbid the celebration of the sacraments. And in China, we see not only control of religion, but perhaps even persecution of religious ideas that the government considers a threat.

As missionary disciples, nourished by the Word of God proclaimed and by the Eucharist, we are all called to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with the courage of the martyrs. Are you ready?

Homework:

  1. What are some examples of where you’ve heard the Good News of Jesus?
  2. What are some ways you can share the Good News?

I think by doing our homework this week, we will develop a better sense of what it means to be disciples and perhaps betters skills as the disciples we are all called to be. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. +Amen!