1 00:00:00,135 --> 00:00:01,355 - The world pays more attention 2 00:00:01,415 --> 00:00:03,755 to witnesses than it does to teachers. 3 00:00:04,135 --> 00:00:07,035 And if it pays attention to teachers, it's 4 00:00:07,035 --> 00:00:08,475 because they are first witnesses. 5 00:00:08,895 --> 00:00:09,895 So, 6 00:00:22,095 --> 00:00:26,475 - And this is our inaugural episode of the Scent Podcast. 7 00:00:26,735 --> 00:00:29,275 My name is Steve Salkowski, and I am Brad Gray. 8 00:00:29,325 --> 00:00:32,715 We're here today with his Excellency Bishop John t fold 9 00:00:32,715 --> 00:00:34,115 of the Bishop of the Diocese of Fargo. 10 00:00:34,645 --> 00:00:36,715 Thank you, Bishop, for stopping in. Thank you. 11 00:00:36,745 --> 00:00:38,475 - It's good to be with - You. Let's talk a little 12 00:00:38,475 --> 00:00:39,515 bit about why we're doing this. 13 00:00:39,655 --> 00:00:41,235 Why are we doing a scent podcast? 14 00:00:41,575 --> 00:00:43,435 Uh, we talked a little bit about in the Senate, 15 00:00:43,445 --> 00:00:44,795 about evangelization 16 00:00:45,135 --> 00:00:47,115 and those three levels of evangelization, 17 00:00:47,115 --> 00:00:51,115 talking about encounter with Christ formation and mission. 18 00:00:51,735 --> 00:00:53,955 And after that, that, that syn, 19 00:00:54,055 --> 00:00:57,035 we are really talking about now, how do we go on mission? 20 00:00:57,375 --> 00:00:58,835 And so we're talking about being sent. 21 00:00:58,865 --> 00:01:00,315 Talk to us a little bit about, you know, 22 00:01:00,315 --> 00:01:01,675 what's the importance of being sent 23 00:01:01,675 --> 00:01:02,955 and why we're even doing this podcast? 24 00:01:03,785 --> 00:01:06,475 - Well, I think that the senate 25 00:01:06,495 --> 00:01:09,275 of our diocese really highlighted the call to mission 26 00:01:09,275 --> 00:01:13,515 that we all have, and the church has been reminding of this, 27 00:01:13,905 --> 00:01:17,355 reminding us of this, uh, mission imperative 28 00:01:17,975 --> 00:01:20,715 for decades now, um, all the way back 29 00:01:20,715 --> 00:01:23,115 to the second Vatican Council and even before that. 30 00:01:23,895 --> 00:01:28,835 So, this, I think, is one way for us to share the fruits 31 00:01:28,835 --> 00:01:33,655 of our cid, uh, to invite any listeners, any viewers 32 00:01:33,835 --> 00:01:36,215 to, uh, kind of hear and, 33 00:01:36,215 --> 00:01:39,655 and learn a little bit more about this, uh, commission 34 00:01:39,765 --> 00:01:41,455 that we've received from our Lord himself. 35 00:01:41,455 --> 00:01:44,015 It's not something that I invented, it's something 36 00:01:44,015 --> 00:01:47,295 that Jesus gave to the church from the very, very beginning. 37 00:01:47,435 --> 00:01:51,975 And so this podcast, I think, is just one way for us to 38 00:01:52,535 --> 00:01:53,535 communicate that and to, 39 00:01:53,915 --> 00:01:55,815 to have some conversations about it, you know, 40 00:01:55,835 --> 00:01:58,975 to invite people to, uh, to learn a little bit more 41 00:01:59,195 --> 00:02:02,415 and to enter into this, uh, conversation 42 00:02:02,555 --> 00:02:05,135 and maybe even to answer some questions for them as well. 43 00:02:06,175 --> 00:02:08,015 - Absolutely. And I think, uh, thank you Bishop for, uh, 44 00:02:08,015 --> 00:02:10,975 making it possible for us to do this and for joining us. 45 00:02:11,555 --> 00:02:14,695 Uh, as you know, you've, uh, offered to be a regular guest, 46 00:02:14,715 --> 00:02:15,815 so we're looking forward to these 47 00:02:15,815 --> 00:02:17,455 conversations, uh, with you. 48 00:02:17,945 --> 00:02:19,175 Let's, let's talk a little bit about 49 00:02:19,175 --> 00:02:20,415 that word, evangelization. 50 00:02:20,445 --> 00:02:22,975 It's such a huge word and, and, and, 51 00:02:23,035 --> 00:02:26,655 and really in many ways seems like this huge, um, 52 00:02:26,875 --> 00:02:30,375 insurmountable concept, uh, of what do you do with it? 53 00:02:30,375 --> 00:02:31,975 You know, you wanna do evangelization, be like, 54 00:02:32,035 --> 00:02:33,335 uh, God bless you. 55 00:02:33,355 --> 00:02:35,775 You know what? But let's talk a little bit about that. 56 00:02:35,775 --> 00:02:36,775 What does that even mean? 57 00:02:38,165 --> 00:02:39,465 - Oh, it means lots of things. 58 00:02:39,745 --> 00:02:43,985 I, I think you could boil it down to a few key points. 59 00:02:44,305 --> 00:02:47,425 I, I've always felt like evangelization more than anything 60 00:02:47,425 --> 00:02:51,145 else, is just sharing our faith in Christ with others. 61 00:02:51,885 --> 00:02:55,105 The word evangelization comes from the word 62 00:02:55,855 --> 00:02:57,945 good news, evangelian. 63 00:02:58,055 --> 00:03:00,065 That is a Greek word that means good news. 64 00:03:00,135 --> 00:03:03,265 It's the same word as the gospel. Mm-hmm . In our parlance. 65 00:03:03,525 --> 00:03:07,345 And what we're just doing through evangelization is sharing 66 00:03:07,345 --> 00:03:10,745 with others, uh, the good news about Christ. 67 00:03:10,965 --> 00:03:12,905 And, and that happens in lots of different ways. 68 00:03:13,205 --> 00:03:16,105 Um, I think first of all, it happens by way 69 00:03:16,105 --> 00:03:17,705 of witness the way we live our lives. 70 00:03:18,565 --> 00:03:21,425 Um, back in the 1970s, Pope St. 71 00:03:21,425 --> 00:03:24,785 Paul ii um, offered a, 72 00:03:24,985 --> 00:03:28,065 a teaching document on evangelization to the church. 73 00:03:28,165 --> 00:03:30,865 And it really continues to be one 74 00:03:30,865 --> 00:03:35,745 of the most magnificent statements of our mission, our, 75 00:03:35,965 --> 00:03:38,105 our evangelical mission for the church. 76 00:03:38,205 --> 00:03:39,345 And he said something 77 00:03:39,345 --> 00:03:40,905 that I thought was very, very important. 78 00:03:41,045 --> 00:03:43,385 He said, the world pays more attention 79 00:03:43,445 --> 00:03:45,785 to witnesses than it does to teachers. 80 00:03:46,485 --> 00:03:48,385 And so witness is really very important. 81 00:03:48,485 --> 00:03:50,865 And then he goes on, he says, and if it pays attention 82 00:03:50,885 --> 00:03:54,145 to teachers, it's because they are first witnesses. 83 00:03:54,685 --> 00:03:58,585 So, as followers of Jesus, we're just trying to give witness 84 00:03:58,725 --> 00:04:00,145 to what we have received 85 00:04:00,205 --> 00:04:03,785 and what we believe, um, that that can be 86 00:04:03,785 --> 00:04:05,065 by the example of our lives. 87 00:04:05,135 --> 00:04:08,545 That can be by sometimes giving testimony, you know, sharing 88 00:04:08,545 --> 00:04:12,385 with others what, what we believe if they ask questions, 89 00:04:12,385 --> 00:04:13,665 answering their questions. 90 00:04:14,445 --> 00:04:17,425 Um, a lot of it, I think too, eventually comes down 91 00:04:17,425 --> 00:04:21,225 to inviting and welcoming others into this life of faith 92 00:04:21,225 --> 00:04:25,025 that we have into this life in Christ that we have. 93 00:04:25,245 --> 00:04:28,985 So, um, it it, it takes so many different shapes. 94 00:04:29,065 --> 00:04:32,625 I think there is many different forms of evangelization 95 00:04:32,685 --> 00:04:35,505 as there are, uh, followers of Christ mm-hmm . 96 00:04:35,585 --> 00:04:39,945 So, uh, it really is, uh, a very, very, um, 97 00:04:41,485 --> 00:04:42,535 expansive concept. 98 00:04:43,315 --> 00:04:45,615 But it really comes down to, to this mission 99 00:04:45,615 --> 00:04:47,495 that we've all received as followers of Jesus 100 00:04:47,715 --> 00:04:49,095 and how we live that. 101 00:04:49,835 --> 00:04:51,695 - And Bishop, the, uh, the aspect 102 00:04:51,695 --> 00:04:54,295 of being on mission isn't kinda like the cherry on top 103 00:04:54,295 --> 00:04:55,775 of the milkshake, or heated seats 104 00:04:55,835 --> 00:04:57,415 or leather seats in your, your car. 105 00:04:57,415 --> 00:04:59,535 Like a nice add-on that you can get if you'd like to, 106 00:04:59,555 --> 00:05:01,615 if like, if you wanna kind of go there, right? 107 00:05:01,805 --> 00:05:05,015 Like, this is central to the fact of being a disciple 108 00:05:05,075 --> 00:05:06,175 of being a Christian. 109 00:05:06,175 --> 00:05:10,055 Right. This is, this is at the core of, if, if we are going 110 00:05:10,055 --> 00:05:14,455 to consider ourselves, um, united with Christ, then we have 111 00:05:14,455 --> 00:05:17,415 to have the heart and the, the impulse of Christ 112 00:05:17,725 --> 00:05:19,015 that everyone should know him. 113 00:05:19,015 --> 00:05:21,415 Right. That, that we don't, it's, it's not this kind 114 00:05:21,415 --> 00:05:23,535 of atomistic idea of just me and Jesus. 115 00:05:23,545 --> 00:05:25,015 Right. Like that's, that's foreign 116 00:05:25,035 --> 00:05:27,655 to a Catholic understanding of, of relationship with God, 117 00:05:27,735 --> 00:05:28,735 - Right? 118 00:05:28,735 --> 00:05:30,215 It is. Absolutely. Absolutely. 119 00:05:30,435 --> 00:05:32,855 Um, it's, I always say that this mission 120 00:05:33,115 --> 00:05:35,335 to evangelize, it's not an option. 121 00:05:35,355 --> 00:05:38,695 Mm-hmm . It really is a command of Jesus that he gives 122 00:05:38,715 --> 00:05:40,095 to all of his followers. 123 00:05:40,595 --> 00:05:43,455 So you put a so well out Brad, it's not just, you know, 124 00:05:43,455 --> 00:05:46,575 the cherry on top of the, of the bowl of ice cream 125 00:05:46,645 --> 00:05:49,575 that really isn't just an add-on that we do 126 00:05:49,595 --> 00:05:53,375 or don't do if we feel like it, it's part of who we are. 127 00:05:53,375 --> 00:05:55,535 Mm-hmm . And that, that again, is something that 128 00:05:56,165 --> 00:05:58,315 Pope Paul the sixth, and John Paul ii 129 00:05:58,615 --> 00:06:02,805 and Pope Benedict, Pope Francis, they've all reminded us 130 00:06:02,915 --> 00:06:06,045 that, that it's of the essence of the church 131 00:06:06,155 --> 00:06:08,285 that we evangelize mm-hmm . 132 00:06:08,365 --> 00:06:12,725 That we're on mission. That's not just a, um, a, a side 133 00:06:13,485 --> 00:06:16,405 endeavor, but it really is at the heart of who we are. 134 00:06:17,025 --> 00:06:19,845 And so we gotta take it seriously. 135 00:06:19,845 --> 00:06:21,445 We've gotta do it. Yeah. And 136 00:06:21,445 --> 00:06:23,605 - The church is exists - To evangelize, right? 137 00:06:23,625 --> 00:06:25,685 That's exactly right. Yeah, exactly right. 138 00:06:26,235 --> 00:06:27,965 That can't be said often enough. Mm-hmm . 139 00:06:28,045 --> 00:06:30,085 The church exists to evangelize 140 00:06:30,085 --> 00:06:31,325 mm-hmm . Absolutely. Very true. 141 00:06:31,785 --> 00:06:33,605 - So let's, let's go through this difference 142 00:06:33,605 --> 00:06:34,925 that we had mentioned before. 143 00:06:34,945 --> 00:06:36,765 And we talked about during our, our senate, 144 00:06:37,055 --> 00:06:40,325 these different levels of encounter, uh, 145 00:06:40,435 --> 00:06:41,565 formation and mission. 146 00:06:41,625 --> 00:06:43,485 And of course, we know from Vatican II 147 00:06:43,485 --> 00:06:45,485 that universal call to holiness, right? 148 00:06:45,695 --> 00:06:46,965 We're all called to that and 149 00:06:46,985 --> 00:06:48,205 we can't give what we don't have. 150 00:06:48,205 --> 00:06:50,285 Right? So let's start a little bit, if you're, 151 00:06:50,285 --> 00:06:52,805 if you're okay, Bishop, with a starting with encounter. 152 00:06:53,305 --> 00:06:55,725 Um, and what I, we'd like to do with the Scent Podcast is 153 00:06:55,745 --> 00:06:57,365 to really open up scripture, 154 00:06:57,365 --> 00:07:00,965 because, uh, reading an article, uh, recently that really, 155 00:07:00,985 --> 00:07:03,165 the Bible is the most, really, 156 00:07:03,265 --> 00:07:04,765 the most popular book in the world. 157 00:07:04,905 --> 00:07:06,725 People have it on their shelves, but guess what? 158 00:07:06,955 --> 00:07:08,645 They don't know what to do with it. Right. 159 00:07:08,795 --> 00:07:12,125 They don't know how open the, the, the living word of God, 160 00:07:12,185 --> 00:07:14,485 and to really incorporate it into the lives. 161 00:07:14,585 --> 00:07:15,605 And so we really, 162 00:07:15,605 --> 00:07:18,885 in these sent podcasts wanna look at scripture and, 163 00:07:18,885 --> 00:07:21,325 and talk about how that can be incorporated, um, 164 00:07:21,395 --> 00:07:23,645 into the different facets of evangelization 165 00:07:23,665 --> 00:07:25,165 and our own growth in holiness. 166 00:07:25,265 --> 00:07:27,845 Of course. So, so I have here, uh, a, 167 00:07:28,045 --> 00:07:31,605 a scripture verse from John one, um, 168 00:07:32,035 --> 00:07:33,605 John 1 35 through 40. 169 00:07:34,305 --> 00:07:36,165 And so I'm gonna read that and then let's, uh, 170 00:07:36,165 --> 00:07:38,725 let's just discuss a little bit talking about encounter. 171 00:07:38,745 --> 00:07:40,365 How does this, how does this, 172 00:07:40,395 --> 00:07:41,965 what does this have to do with encounter? 173 00:07:42,025 --> 00:07:45,885 So, uh, John Gospel of John, uh, chapter one, verse 35 174 00:07:45,885 --> 00:07:49,445 through 40, the next day, again, John was standing with two 175 00:07:49,445 --> 00:07:52,125 of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked 176 00:07:52,185 --> 00:07:54,725 and said, behold the lamb of God. 177 00:07:55,415 --> 00:07:58,595 The two disciples heard him say this, and they follow Jesus. 178 00:07:59,285 --> 00:08:01,355 Jesus turned and saw them following 179 00:08:01,355 --> 00:08:03,515 and said to them, what do you seek? 180 00:08:04,285 --> 00:08:06,425 And they said to him, rabbi, which means teacher, 181 00:08:07,035 --> 00:08:08,305 where are you staying? 182 00:08:09,145 --> 00:08:11,085 He said to them, come and see. 183 00:08:11,775 --> 00:08:13,745 They came and saw where he was staying, 184 00:08:14,285 --> 00:08:15,745 and they stayed with him that day, 185 00:08:16,205 --> 00:08:18,225 or it was about the 10th hour. 186 00:08:20,225 --> 00:08:22,035 What stands out to you in that passage? Bishop, 187 00:08:23,405 --> 00:08:27,775 - That is one of my favorite passages, to be quite honest, 188 00:08:28,195 --> 00:08:29,655 in, in all the gospels, 189 00:08:29,655 --> 00:08:33,475 because, um, it, it speaks to this 190 00:08:34,105 --> 00:08:36,675 encounter with Christ that 191 00:08:37,705 --> 00:08:41,085 we all at some time in our lives, first experience, 192 00:08:41,705 --> 00:08:42,965 you know, in this case, these were 193 00:08:42,965 --> 00:08:44,125 followers of John the Baptist. 194 00:08:44,305 --> 00:08:47,565 And, and he kind of handed them off, you might say. 195 00:08:47,785 --> 00:08:51,885 He, he didn't hang on to these followers for himself. 196 00:08:52,025 --> 00:08:55,165 He was not interested in creating his own little group 197 00:08:55,305 --> 00:08:56,605 of, of fans. 198 00:08:57,385 --> 00:09:00,845 No. His job was to point people to Jesus. Mm-hmm . 199 00:09:00,985 --> 00:09:05,805 And so with these first two, he directs 'em 200 00:09:05,905 --> 00:09:07,605 to our Lord, and they're following Jesus. 201 00:09:08,545 --> 00:09:11,565 Um, and, and he notices this, you know, I have to think 202 00:09:11,565 --> 00:09:13,965 that, you know, he was kind of, uh, 203 00:09:14,155 --> 00:09:16,125 observing this whole thing, maybe even, 204 00:09:16,265 --> 00:09:19,325 or heard what John said, but he turns to them 205 00:09:19,425 --> 00:09:21,125 and he asks them the question, 206 00:09:21,355 --> 00:09:22,525 what are you, what are you looking for? 207 00:09:22,525 --> 00:09:27,325 Whatcha you seeking? And they then ask a question. 208 00:09:27,345 --> 00:09:29,885 In return, they say, rabbi, where are you staying? 209 00:09:30,495 --> 00:09:31,605 Where are you staying? 210 00:09:33,715 --> 00:09:37,875 And Jesus doesn't just give them information, you know, 211 00:09:37,875 --> 00:09:39,475 he could have said, I'm staying at the best 212 00:09:39,475 --> 00:09:40,515 Western down the street. 213 00:09:40,695 --> 00:09:43,075 And, uh, you know, it's a really nice place. 214 00:09:43,315 --> 00:09:45,545 , you die sometime. No, 215 00:09:46,485 --> 00:09:48,625 he invites them to come with him. 216 00:09:49,125 --> 00:09:50,635 He says, come. 217 00:09:50,895 --> 00:09:54,235 And you will see some translations of that. 218 00:09:54,235 --> 00:09:57,645 Just say, come and see. Come. And you'll see. 219 00:09:57,905 --> 00:09:59,925 He wants them to come along. 220 00:10:00,945 --> 00:10:04,005 He wants them to get to know him. 221 00:10:04,425 --> 00:10:07,685 He wants them to walk the road with him. 222 00:10:07,825 --> 00:10:10,805 He wants them to accompany him. 223 00:10:11,845 --> 00:10:14,125 I think the, the simplest way 224 00:10:14,125 --> 00:10:16,885 of putting it is just he wants them to be with him. 225 00:10:16,905 --> 00:10:19,725 Mm-hmm . He wants them to be with him. 226 00:10:20,455 --> 00:10:24,415 And you notice this isn't just, um, you know, 227 00:10:24,415 --> 00:10:25,735 an exchange of pleasantries. 228 00:10:26,595 --> 00:10:28,885 It's not just a, a passing conversation. 229 00:10:28,885 --> 00:10:31,645 And then they, they both go their own way. 230 00:10:31,855 --> 00:10:36,195 Uhhuh No, this is, this is an invitation to 231 00:10:37,015 --> 00:10:39,355 be in his company, to be with him 232 00:10:39,575 --> 00:10:43,435 and to, to be part of what he is beginning this, 233 00:10:43,905 --> 00:10:48,235 this great enterprise of, of inaugurating God's kingdom. 234 00:10:48,965 --> 00:10:52,395 Jesus wants these two fellows to be part of that, 235 00:10:52,695 --> 00:10:53,795 and there will be others as well. 236 00:10:53,795 --> 00:10:54,915 Mm-hmm . It's not just those two. 237 00:10:55,815 --> 00:11:00,075 Um, you know, we think of the, the call of Simon and James 238 00:11:00,095 --> 00:11:02,115 and John, the fishermen at, uh, 239 00:11:02,135 --> 00:11:03,875 at the Lakeside, at the Sea of Galilee. 240 00:11:04,055 --> 00:11:08,195 But in this particular case, it's just this, this marvelous, 241 00:11:09,135 --> 00:11:10,235 uh, interchange. 242 00:11:10,425 --> 00:11:12,355 Very simple, very few words, 243 00:11:13,255 --> 00:11:17,995 but you can tell that it was life changing. 244 00:11:18,055 --> 00:11:21,995 Mm-hmm . Because what does he say at the end of this? 245 00:11:22,215 --> 00:11:26,035 He says exactly what hour of the day this all happened. 246 00:11:26,175 --> 00:11:29,555 Ah, I can remember clearly now remember the moment. 247 00:11:30,025 --> 00:11:31,395 Yeah, exactly. Exactly. 248 00:11:32,065 --> 00:11:33,235 They, they remembered, 249 00:11:33,305 --> 00:11:35,835 they remembered exactly when their lives were changed. 250 00:11:35,855 --> 00:11:37,755 Mm-hmm . It happened at such 251 00:11:37,755 --> 00:11:40,635 and such hour, they could probably tell you exactly 252 00:11:40,785 --> 00:11:44,795 what curve in the road, uh, this, this happened as well, 253 00:11:45,225 --> 00:11:46,955 because it changed their lives. 254 00:11:46,985 --> 00:11:51,715 Yeah. And it, it, that, that kind of a life changing encount 255 00:11:52,775 --> 00:11:54,325 is what starts it all off. 256 00:11:54,785 --> 00:11:56,085 That's how things begin. 257 00:11:56,745 --> 00:12:00,885 And we're all invited to that same kind of an encounter 258 00:12:00,885 --> 00:12:05,445 with our Lord, not just a, a passing word here and there. 259 00:12:05,745 --> 00:12:08,245 Not just a, an exchange of information, 260 00:12:09,465 --> 00:12:11,885 but a relationship, a friendship. 261 00:12:12,225 --> 00:12:13,925 And that's what he's inviting them to, 262 00:12:13,945 --> 00:12:15,405 and that's what he invites all of us to. 263 00:12:16,145 --> 00:12:18,645 Um, so I, I love this passage. 264 00:12:18,965 --> 00:12:23,665 I just don't think we can spend too much time with it. 265 00:12:23,745 --> 00:12:25,145 I I think there's always more 266 00:12:25,145 --> 00:12:28,665 to be derived from meditating on that, that little 267 00:12:30,135 --> 00:12:32,425 episode at the beginning of the gospels. 268 00:12:33,055 --> 00:12:34,905 - Amen. That is just soul stirring. 269 00:12:34,905 --> 00:12:36,465 Bishop, I I love you sharing that. 270 00:12:36,905 --> 00:12:39,385 I, and as I was, as we're kind of going in that aspect 271 00:12:39,385 --> 00:12:41,265 of encounter, the, the encounter that these, 272 00:12:41,265 --> 00:12:43,625 these two men had with Jesus, that kind of, the thing 273 00:12:43,625 --> 00:12:45,745 that grabbed me in this passage was that 274 00:12:46,215 --> 00:12:47,745 what do you seek Jesus turning 275 00:12:47,745 --> 00:12:49,065 and asking them, what do you seek? 276 00:12:49,065 --> 00:12:51,105 And there were kind of two elements that stood out 277 00:12:51,105 --> 00:12:52,905 that go along very much with what you're saying, Bishop. 278 00:12:53,325 --> 00:12:54,825 The first one is that Jesus actually 279 00:12:54,835 --> 00:12:56,825 cares what it is that we seek. 280 00:12:56,825 --> 00:13:00,265 Mm. What these men seek and what we as his disciples see. 281 00:13:00,265 --> 00:13:01,785 Like he, he cares about the things 282 00:13:01,785 --> 00:13:03,225 that are going on in our hearts, and they're moving, 283 00:13:03,225 --> 00:13:05,025 like this encounter is meaningful 284 00:13:05,025 --> 00:13:07,105 because it's the one who's not only fashioned us 285 00:13:07,105 --> 00:13:08,665 and called us into being, but the one 286 00:13:08,665 --> 00:13:10,705 who set our whole lives on a certain trajectory 287 00:13:10,885 --> 00:13:13,105 and has a care for how it goes about. 288 00:13:13,605 --> 00:13:15,665 Um, you know, the, the culmination of that. 289 00:13:16,045 --> 00:13:17,785 Uh, so he, he cares about what we seek. 290 00:13:17,965 --> 00:13:19,465 And then the second aspect of it that, 291 00:13:19,465 --> 00:13:22,145 that hit me is just like, he wants us to be aware of 292 00:13:22,145 --> 00:13:23,225 what we seek, too. 293 00:13:23,815 --> 00:13:27,345 Like there's a, for a lot of us, we kind of just motor 294 00:13:27,345 --> 00:13:29,385 through life somewhat on autopilot, 295 00:13:29,645 --> 00:13:31,465 and we're not even necessarily aware 296 00:13:32,125 --> 00:13:33,905 of, you know, why it is. 297 00:13:33,905 --> 00:13:35,785 We go, we do the things, the choices that we make, 298 00:13:35,785 --> 00:13:37,505 and what it is that's, that's compelling us. 299 00:13:37,765 --> 00:13:39,865 And, and I think he's, he's kind of inviting us to say, 300 00:13:40,255 --> 00:13:44,775 what is it you seek knowing that the answer is him, 301 00:13:45,205 --> 00:13:46,615 that relationship with him. 302 00:13:46,995 --> 00:13:48,895 But, but a lot of times we're not even conscious of that. 303 00:13:48,895 --> 00:13:50,695 And as we talk about this, uh, 304 00:13:50,805 --> 00:13:52,535 this being sent on mission like that, 305 00:13:53,435 --> 00:13:55,615 as I was just reflecting on it, it's in some ways, 306 00:13:55,835 --> 00:13:58,415 at least in the human realm, the fuel of mission 307 00:13:58,435 --> 00:14:00,175 or evangelization is the fact 308 00:14:00,175 --> 00:14:01,975 that my life is different because I know Jesus. 309 00:14:02,265 --> 00:14:04,295 Right. Right. It's not just, I, 310 00:14:04,295 --> 00:14:06,695 I've learned these great doctrines, um, 311 00:14:06,795 --> 00:14:08,375 and these things that are really fascinating. 312 00:14:08,375 --> 00:14:09,415 They kind of tickle my brain. 313 00:14:09,835 --> 00:14:13,415 Um, but it's like, my life is different because of this man. 314 00:14:14,115 --> 00:14:15,255 Um, and, 315 00:14:15,315 --> 00:14:18,335 and so I just think it's kind of a, it's a movement of, 316 00:14:18,335 --> 00:14:20,015 of Jesus kind of moving internal to us, 317 00:14:20,015 --> 00:14:22,935 but also calling us to an come internal to ourselves 318 00:14:23,195 --> 00:14:24,375 as well, if that makes any sense. 319 00:14:24,435 --> 00:14:25,975 - Oh, it does, it makes perfect sense. 320 00:14:26,075 --> 00:14:27,455 And you know, I think it really, 321 00:14:27,715 --> 00:14:29,535 bo it really comes down to who we are. 322 00:14:29,675 --> 00:14:31,615 We are made by God. We're made for God. 323 00:14:31,685 --> 00:14:33,615 - Yeah. - We were made for him. 324 00:14:33,875 --> 00:14:36,215 He made us with this 325 00:14:38,545 --> 00:14:41,245 desire, this yearning in our hearts for 326 00:14:41,515 --> 00:14:43,965 what only he can give. 327 00:14:44,945 --> 00:14:48,805 And you know, these two men on the road, these two disciples 328 00:14:48,805 --> 00:14:50,925 of John who ended up being disciples of Jesus, 329 00:14:51,595 --> 00:14:55,685 they were obviously searching, they were seeking, you know, 330 00:14:55,685 --> 00:14:57,845 there was a reason they followed John first. 331 00:14:57,905 --> 00:15:00,885 And there was a reason that when John sent them 332 00:15:00,885 --> 00:15:02,325 to Jesus, they went after him. 333 00:15:02,555 --> 00:15:06,765 They wanted to know what the, the, the meaning 334 00:15:06,765 --> 00:15:08,445 of their life really was all about, 335 00:15:08,985 --> 00:15:11,445 and we're all made that way. 336 00:15:11,445 --> 00:15:14,445 Mm-hmm . We're all made with that, that inner yearning 337 00:15:15,345 --> 00:15:16,605 for God himself. 338 00:15:16,795 --> 00:15:19,165 Yeah. And Jesus knows this. 339 00:15:19,265 --> 00:15:22,405 And, and that's why he invites us to, to come and, 340 00:15:22,405 --> 00:15:23,965 and to follow him, to, to be with him. 341 00:15:24,505 --> 00:15:28,085 You know, we, we search for meaning, and oftentimes we do. 342 00:15:28,105 --> 00:15:29,525 We look for it in all the wrong places. 343 00:15:30,345 --> 00:15:33,765 And that's, that's when we get into sin. 344 00:15:33,865 --> 00:15:36,605 But Jesus offers us the right way. 345 00:15:36,705 --> 00:15:39,285 He offers us, first of all, the gift of God's love. 346 00:15:40,135 --> 00:15:41,395 Uh, we're made for love. 347 00:15:41,815 --> 00:15:46,515 And, and he offers us that love, we're made to, 348 00:15:46,815 --> 00:15:47,835 to desire the truth. 349 00:15:47,835 --> 00:15:48,995 Mm-hmm . To seek the truth. 350 00:15:49,655 --> 00:15:51,515 And he offers us this truth that 351 00:15:52,095 --> 00:15:53,515 we can't find any place else. 352 00:15:53,895 --> 00:15:55,635 And it resonates when we experience that. Right. 353 00:15:55,635 --> 00:15:56,635 Oh, exactly. Exactly. 354 00:15:56,735 --> 00:15:59,995 You know, there are so many story, great conversion stories 355 00:16:00,055 --> 00:16:03,875 of people who, who experienced for the first time, 356 00:16:04,935 --> 00:16:07,635 uh, an awareness of this truth that, 357 00:16:07,945 --> 00:16:11,035 that they found in Christ, and it just changed their lives. 358 00:16:11,035 --> 00:16:14,595 Mm-hmm . Um, you, you might have read the story 359 00:16:14,595 --> 00:16:17,395 of saying Edith Stein, this great intellectual woman, 360 00:16:17,755 --> 00:16:19,795 a great scholar and philosopher, 361 00:16:20,295 --> 00:16:23,755 and she read the, uh, the life of St. 362 00:16:23,755 --> 00:16:27,235 Theresa Avila and how she came to know Christ, 363 00:16:27,335 --> 00:16:29,555 and she read the whole thing and one night, 364 00:16:29,615 --> 00:16:31,315 and she said, this is the truth. 365 00:16:31,425 --> 00:16:33,075 This is what I've been looking for. Mm-hmm . 366 00:16:33,495 --> 00:16:36,675 And, you know, we're all on that same kind of journey 367 00:16:36,775 --> 00:16:41,595 of seeking truth, meaning, love, and it's, it's in Christ. 368 00:16:41,615 --> 00:16:42,755 Mm-hmm. It's in Christ. 369 00:16:43,495 --> 00:16:45,305 - Awesome. Absolutely. 370 00:16:45,735 --> 00:16:49,505 Well, you know, so we have the second, uh, level of 371 00:16:50,165 --> 00:16:51,905 evangelization where we're talking about, 372 00:16:51,905 --> 00:16:53,705 we just talked about encounter, um, 373 00:16:53,765 --> 00:16:56,025 and talking about formation, where we move from having 374 00:16:56,025 --> 00:16:57,905 that encounter with Christ, uh, 375 00:16:58,005 --> 00:17:00,145 to understanding our identity in Christ. 376 00:17:00,245 --> 00:17:03,665 We kind of formed in the identity, going back to that, uh, 377 00:17:03,855 --> 00:17:05,185 universal call to holiness. 378 00:17:05,205 --> 00:17:08,505 We, we can't, if we receive that our identity from Christ, 379 00:17:08,775 --> 00:17:11,185 then we can then share what that means with others. 380 00:17:11,325 --> 00:17:14,865 And so, I'd like to read a passage from the gospel of Mark, 381 00:17:15,165 --> 00:17:19,705 uh, chapter six verse, uh, 34 and onward here. 382 00:17:19,925 --> 00:17:21,785 And, and let's, uh, discuss that a little bit. 383 00:17:21,885 --> 00:17:24,465 So this, again from Mark six, uh, chapter, 384 00:17:24,815 --> 00:17:26,385 chapter six, verse 34. 385 00:17:27,985 --> 00:17:31,165 As he landed, he saw a great throng 386 00:17:32,055 --> 00:17:35,835 and had had companion, and he had compassion on them 387 00:17:36,385 --> 00:17:38,955 because they were like sheep without a shepherd, 388 00:17:39,695 --> 00:17:41,835 and began to teach them many things. 389 00:17:42,855 --> 00:17:45,035 And when it grew late, his disciples came to him 390 00:17:45,035 --> 00:17:46,955 and said, this is a lonely place, 391 00:17:47,255 --> 00:17:50,085 and the hour is now late, stem them away 392 00:17:50,385 --> 00:17:52,805 to go into the country and villages roundabout 393 00:17:53,185 --> 00:17:55,125 and buy themselves something to eat. 394 00:17:55,855 --> 00:17:58,595 But he answered them, you give them something to eat. 395 00:17:59,155 --> 00:18:01,295 And they said to him, shall we go 396 00:18:01,295 --> 00:18:06,095 and buy 200 Dari worth of bread and give it to them to eat? 397 00:18:06,795 --> 00:18:10,735 And he said to them, how many loaves have you go and see? 398 00:18:11,595 --> 00:18:14,695 And when they had found out, they said five and two fish. 399 00:18:15,605 --> 00:18:17,775 Then he commanded them all to sit down by 400 00:18:18,535 --> 00:18:20,055 companies upon the green grass. 401 00:18:20,895 --> 00:18:23,835 So they sat down in groups by hundreds and by fifties 402 00:18:24,615 --> 00:18:27,995 and taking the five loaves in the two fish, he looked up 403 00:18:27,995 --> 00:18:30,355 to heaven and blessed and broke the loaves 404 00:18:30,895 --> 00:18:33,915 and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. 405 00:18:34,865 --> 00:18:37,125 And he divided the two fish among them all, 406 00:18:37,665 --> 00:18:39,525 and they all ate and were satisfied. 407 00:18:40,105 --> 00:18:41,805 And they took up 12 baskets full 408 00:18:41,805 --> 00:18:43,805 of broken pieces and of the fish. 409 00:18:44,465 --> 00:18:47,725 And those who ate the loaves were 5,000 men. 410 00:18:49,865 --> 00:18:51,055 Let's talk about this passage, 411 00:18:51,275 --> 00:18:54,015 and in your formation, what stands out 412 00:18:54,015 --> 00:18:55,015 to you in this passage, Bishop? 413 00:18:56,365 --> 00:18:58,945 - Oh, lots of things. . - Let's start with 414 00:19:01,435 --> 00:19:02,435 - Where - Do I begin? 415 00:19:02,855 --> 00:19:07,545 - Well, first of all, um, obviously this is one 416 00:19:07,545 --> 00:19:09,145 of the accounts of the multiplication 417 00:19:09,145 --> 00:19:10,185 of the loaves and fishes. 418 00:19:10,185 --> 00:19:12,705 But what happened first he taught them mm-hmm . 419 00:19:13,085 --> 00:19:17,985 He taught them this great crowd of people came to Jesus, 420 00:19:18,725 --> 00:19:21,185 and he recognized that they wanted to hear 421 00:19:23,225 --> 00:19:24,675 what he had to tell them. 422 00:19:25,815 --> 00:19:29,195 So he teaches them, as I said, this truth, that 423 00:19:30,155 --> 00:19:32,405 whether they knew it or not, they were yearning for. 424 00:19:32,825 --> 00:19:35,205 And that's how it begins. 425 00:19:35,545 --> 00:19:39,445 He, he unfolds for them, uh, 426 00:19:39,625 --> 00:19:44,125 the great mystery of God's truth, God's love, his plan 427 00:19:44,145 --> 00:19:45,845 of salvation for all of us. 428 00:19:46,905 --> 00:19:48,205 And then 429 00:19:49,095 --> 00:19:53,845 after that, he, he not only satisfies their yearning 430 00:19:53,845 --> 00:19:56,525 for truth, but he also satisfies 431 00:19:57,305 --> 00:19:58,605 the other hunger that was in them. 432 00:19:58,605 --> 00:20:01,685 Mm-hmm . And, you know, in this particular case, 433 00:20:01,985 --> 00:20:06,205 he recognized their bodily hunger, their need for material, 434 00:20:06,395 --> 00:20:08,285 food, for, for bodily food. 435 00:20:08,905 --> 00:20:12,525 And so he provides for them in that way as well. 436 00:20:13,545 --> 00:20:16,005 What's underlying all this? He has compassion for them. 437 00:20:16,005 --> 00:20:17,765 Mm-hmm . He has compassion for them. 438 00:20:17,955 --> 00:20:21,605 He's, Matthew says they're, he recognized, 439 00:20:21,605 --> 00:20:23,205 they were like sheep without a shepherd. 440 00:20:23,275 --> 00:20:26,605 They were just kind of wandering. They were kind of lost. 441 00:20:26,745 --> 00:20:28,485 And so he wants to gather them in 442 00:20:29,265 --> 00:20:31,285 and help them to understand 443 00:20:31,505 --> 00:20:36,005 and to know the great truths that God wants them to know, 444 00:20:36,465 --> 00:20:39,085 but then also he wants to provide for them 445 00:20:39,225 --> 00:20:41,005 and their real daily need. 446 00:20:41,545 --> 00:20:44,355 And so he gives them something to eat. 447 00:20:44,355 --> 00:20:46,155 You know, this is, this is the remarkable 448 00:20:46,165 --> 00:20:47,285 thing about this passage. 449 00:20:48,105 --> 00:20:51,845 Um, he says to, you know, the, the apostles come to him and, 450 00:20:52,225 --> 00:20:54,125 and they say, these people are hungry. 451 00:20:54,395 --> 00:20:56,325 What are we gonna do? And, 452 00:20:56,665 --> 00:20:59,725 and Jesus says, kind of offhandedly, 453 00:21:00,395 --> 00:21:01,445 well give 'em something to eat. 454 00:21:02,545 --> 00:21:05,125 And then they're, they're, you know, incredulous. 455 00:21:05,755 --> 00:21:06,925 What are you talking about? 456 00:21:06,985 --> 00:21:08,565 You know, how are we supposed to do that? 457 00:21:09,425 --> 00:21:14,125 You can almost imagine the, the sense of, um, 458 00:21:15,155 --> 00:21:17,605 amazement or, or frustration in their voices. 459 00:21:17,905 --> 00:21:21,125 But then Jesus very simply asks another question. 460 00:21:21,145 --> 00:21:22,685 He says, well, how much do you have? 461 00:21:22,915 --> 00:21:26,205 What, how much food do you have? How many loaves? 462 00:21:26,205 --> 00:21:27,405 How many fishes do you have? 463 00:21:29,095 --> 00:21:31,715 And they give them to 'em, just a handful, you know, 464 00:21:31,715 --> 00:21:33,715 just a few, a few morsels of food. 465 00:21:34,295 --> 00:21:38,235 And then he does the rest he distributes mm-hmm . 466 00:21:38,655 --> 00:21:40,835 The food through their hands. Mm-hmm . 467 00:21:41,855 --> 00:21:45,115 And that always, to me is the amazing thing about this. 468 00:21:45,285 --> 00:21:49,425 Jesus takes the, the little bit of food that they have 469 00:21:50,695 --> 00:21:53,155 and gives it out through their hands. 470 00:21:54,355 --> 00:21:57,605 They give what they've got to Jesus and he blesses it, 471 00:21:58,715 --> 00:22:03,335 and then he makes it enough, and then some for everybody. 472 00:22:03,435 --> 00:22:06,735 Mm-hmm. And that's really the way he works with us too. 473 00:22:07,075 --> 00:22:11,215 He takes the gifts that we have, that we return to him, 474 00:22:11,915 --> 00:22:14,735 and he provides so much more. 475 00:22:15,555 --> 00:22:18,015 He blesses whatever we place in his 476 00:22:18,015 --> 00:22:19,615 hands, whatever we offer to him. 477 00:22:20,555 --> 00:22:22,415 And he works through us. 478 00:22:22,555 --> 00:22:26,335 He continues to work through us, just as he did 479 00:22:26,335 --> 00:22:30,735 through those apostles, uh, to, to provide 480 00:22:30,795 --> 00:22:31,895 for the needs of his people. 481 00:22:31,895 --> 00:22:35,015 Mm-hmm . And this is all, you know, part of this formation 482 00:22:35,245 --> 00:22:37,535 that he's doing all through the gospels. 483 00:22:38,045 --> 00:22:40,095 He's forming his followers 484 00:22:41,485 --> 00:22:43,705 to be his instruments, you might say. 485 00:22:44,405 --> 00:22:47,345 So that, you know, by placing their trust in him, 486 00:22:47,535 --> 00:22:51,345 they can do the things that he himself has done, 487 00:22:51,925 --> 00:22:54,705 and they can, you know, be formed, 488 00:22:54,765 --> 00:22:58,545 but then form others in, in the gospel 489 00:22:59,005 --> 00:23:02,425 and the, the mysteries of salvation to be part 490 00:23:02,425 --> 00:23:04,905 of this kingdom that he himself has started. 491 00:23:05,125 --> 00:23:08,705 So, um, and really, I, 492 00:23:08,865 --> 00:23:11,265 I think we all see in this a foreshadowing 493 00:23:11,265 --> 00:23:12,505 of the Eucharist too, don't we? 494 00:23:12,705 --> 00:23:14,065 Absolutely. Um, Brad, 495 00:23:14,065 --> 00:23:18,265 you were saying earlier in our conversation, um, that this, 496 00:23:18,815 --> 00:23:20,105 this passage from the gospel, 497 00:23:20,325 --> 00:23:22,745 and they're all very similar from one 498 00:23:22,745 --> 00:23:23,905 gospel writer to the next. 499 00:23:24,655 --> 00:23:27,545 It's almost a, a foreshadowing of the mass. Yeah. 500 00:23:27,785 --> 00:23:29,545 'cause first there's the teaching. 501 00:23:29,595 --> 00:23:31,105 First there's the word of God, 502 00:23:31,525 --> 00:23:35,345 but then there's the, the multiplication of loaves, 503 00:23:35,405 --> 00:23:37,025 the feeding that happens next. 504 00:23:37,555 --> 00:23:40,265 Jesus first provides the truths of our faith, 505 00:23:40,685 --> 00:23:42,985 but then he provides bread, you know, 506 00:23:43,905 --> 00:23:45,105 spiritual bread for our souls. 507 00:23:45,785 --> 00:23:49,725 So I think you see really, uh, an anticipation of 508 00:23:49,725 --> 00:23:52,165 what he would do in the Eucharist 509 00:23:52,185 --> 00:23:54,005 and the, the celebration of the mass. 510 00:23:54,785 --> 00:23:58,285 Um, and, and it really is a, a, a beautiful passage. 511 00:23:58,985 --> 00:24:00,045 He has compassion. 512 00:24:00,465 --> 00:24:03,505 - Mm-hmm . - He has compassion, he has concern 513 00:24:04,285 --> 00:24:07,715 for his people, for these multitudes 514 00:24:07,715 --> 00:24:08,835 of people that come to him. 515 00:24:09,295 --> 00:24:13,035 And he doesn't send them away empty. He fills their minds. 516 00:24:13,055 --> 00:24:14,115 He fills their hearts. 517 00:24:14,115 --> 00:24:18,395 He fills their souls, uh, with the, the spiritual food 518 00:24:18,785 --> 00:24:20,195 that he wants to give to us. 519 00:24:20,975 --> 00:24:24,635 Um, and this, uh, story of the multiplication of loaves 520 00:24:24,635 --> 00:24:27,715 and fishes is just a, a foreshadowing 521 00:24:27,715 --> 00:24:28,955 of the even greater miracle 522 00:24:29,025 --> 00:24:30,915 that he would accomplish in the Eucharist. 523 00:24:31,275 --> 00:24:32,275 Hmm. 524 00:24:32,595 --> 00:24:33,755 - I love the point that you're, 525 00:24:33,785 --> 00:24:35,515 that you're laying out there bishop of, 526 00:24:35,515 --> 00:24:37,555 of Jesus forming his apostles. 527 00:24:37,635 --> 00:24:38,835 I mean, there's, there's so many things 528 00:24:38,835 --> 00:24:39,955 here that I just, rich, right? 529 00:24:40,015 --> 00:24:41,915 Mm-hmm . And, uh, that, that dynamic 530 00:24:42,055 --> 00:24:43,195 of the connection with the mass. 531 00:24:43,195 --> 00:24:45,835 And certainly in John's gospel, we have the multiplication 532 00:24:46,215 --> 00:24:47,715 of lows followed up directly 533 00:24:47,815 --> 00:24:49,715 by the teaching on the Eucharist. 534 00:24:50,165 --> 00:24:52,915 Right. Um, and so it's, there, there's a, 535 00:24:53,465 --> 00:24:55,875 there's just a profundity of, of this is something 536 00:24:55,875 --> 00:24:58,475 that we experience, we continue to experience on a weekly 537 00:24:58,655 --> 00:25:01,835 or daily basis, uh, in terms of that having access 538 00:25:01,855 --> 00:25:04,355 to the mass and that ongoing sacrifice. 539 00:25:04,575 --> 00:25:06,395 But as you're talking, I was just kind of struck 540 00:25:06,395 --> 00:25:09,715 by this aspect of Jesus forming, not just in his word, 541 00:25:09,735 --> 00:25:13,315 and not even just in the Eucharist, so to speak, 542 00:25:13,535 --> 00:25:14,955 but also in his being with them. 543 00:25:14,955 --> 00:25:16,475 Mm-hmm . Like all in all of us. 544 00:25:16,585 --> 00:25:17,675 He's, he's forming them 545 00:25:17,675 --> 00:25:19,115 through his teaching, but he's doing that. 546 00:25:19,615 --> 00:25:23,555 He sends them to go, he has bring what you've got now. 547 00:25:23,575 --> 00:25:24,795 You distribute that to the people, 548 00:25:25,095 --> 00:25:27,555 and I'm right here with you, like this formation. 549 00:25:27,555 --> 00:25:29,035 And, and that continues to be true. 550 00:25:29,735 --> 00:25:32,915 He forms us, um, not just kind of, again, by kind of 551 00:25:33,915 --> 00:25:37,235 abstract truths that we, we learn about and we discover, 552 00:25:37,615 --> 00:25:40,515 but by accompanying us with this Holy Spirit and, 553 00:25:40,615 --> 00:25:45,125 and bringing a certain fertility to our souls, that, that, 554 00:25:45,345 --> 00:25:49,605 uh, bears a sort of life, a, a liveliness that, that just 555 00:25:51,075 --> 00:25:53,755 intellectual ideas by themselves can't do mm-hmm . 556 00:25:53,835 --> 00:25:57,075 Right. And so Jesus is here with the apostles 557 00:25:57,295 --> 00:25:59,155 as they're engaged in something remarkable, 558 00:25:59,815 --> 00:26:01,875 but, uh, they're engaged in something remarkable 559 00:26:01,875 --> 00:26:04,395 because first of all, they're willing to, to follow him 560 00:26:04,395 --> 00:26:05,715 and do what he is told them to do. 561 00:26:05,735 --> 00:26:08,635 But also because like, he's, he's enabling that. 562 00:26:08,635 --> 00:26:10,155 He's making that potent, uh, 563 00:26:10,155 --> 00:26:11,995 and I just, I guess I was kind of struck by this fact that 564 00:26:12,375 --> 00:26:15,195 for us, like he we're doing Bible in a year 565 00:26:15,215 --> 00:26:17,635 or something like that, it's not just 566 00:26:17,785 --> 00:26:21,875 that we're learning our faith, it's we're there with Jesus, 567 00:26:23,005 --> 00:26:25,305 and he's bringing this word that he's spoken, 568 00:26:25,765 --> 00:26:27,665 that's resonated down through the ages, 569 00:26:27,665 --> 00:26:28,985 through centuries, millennia. 570 00:26:29,205 --> 00:26:31,625 And he's there actually making it fruitful in our 571 00:26:31,625 --> 00:26:32,705 hearts at that very moment. 572 00:26:33,325 --> 00:26:35,705 And so, I don't know, I just kind of, it, it blew it open 573 00:26:35,705 --> 00:26:37,425 for me in a way that I hadn't really thought about it 574 00:26:37,425 --> 00:26:40,225 before, just as you were talking about how Jesus continues 575 00:26:40,225 --> 00:26:42,865 to accompany us and continues to work these miracles, 576 00:26:43,425 --> 00:26:46,245 - Uh, through his sacraments and also through his presence. 577 00:26:47,375 --> 00:26:48,395 You're absolutely right. 578 00:26:48,395 --> 00:26:52,765 You know, I think I could read all the books in the world 579 00:26:53,015 --> 00:26:56,165 about our faith, but unless it's personal Yeah. 580 00:26:56,345 --> 00:27:00,645 Unless it's relational with Christ. Yeah. 581 00:27:01,145 --> 00:27:04,245 It really becomes just a, an exercise 582 00:27:05,225 --> 00:27:06,525 of the head. 583 00:27:06,625 --> 00:27:10,535 You know, I, any genius can, can learn this stuff. Mm-hmm . 584 00:27:10,715 --> 00:27:13,695 But Jesus is calling forth something deeper. 585 00:27:14,555 --> 00:27:18,095 And, um, you know, as I said, he's forming these people, 586 00:27:18,325 --> 00:27:23,055 he's forming his disciples to be shepherds. 587 00:27:23,105 --> 00:27:25,935 Right. You know, he's, he's forming them to, 588 00:27:26,755 --> 00:27:29,455 uh, to carry on. 589 00:27:29,455 --> 00:27:31,575 Yeah. What he himself has begun, 590 00:27:31,915 --> 00:27:34,295 but he is also forming all those other 591 00:27:34,295 --> 00:27:35,415 people in the crowd as well. 592 00:27:35,485 --> 00:27:39,415 Yeah. Um, to realize that he is 593 00:27:40,315 --> 00:27:45,205 the one and only, um, son of God, the, 594 00:27:45,265 --> 00:27:48,165 the, the, the holy one of God who has come 595 00:27:48,625 --> 00:27:50,925 to change everything for them. 596 00:27:51,555 --> 00:27:54,325 He's forming them to, to trust him. Mm-hmm . 597 00:27:54,555 --> 00:27:58,605 He's forming them to put themselves in his hands. 598 00:27:59,665 --> 00:28:03,285 Uh, and I think I, I, I have to think that the apostles 599 00:28:03,945 --> 00:28:06,965 really learned an important lesson from this experience 600 00:28:07,075 --> 00:28:08,645 that, that they could trust him. 601 00:28:08,715 --> 00:28:12,325 Yeah. That, that they could do what he told them to do, 602 00:28:13,475 --> 00:28:16,095 and he would make it bear fruit. 603 00:28:16,315 --> 00:28:19,495 He would, he would accomplish great things if they 604 00:28:19,495 --> 00:28:20,535 would just trust him. 605 00:28:20,815 --> 00:28:25,655 Hmm. Um, I, I just am always thinking about the amazement 606 00:28:25,655 --> 00:28:28,495 that they must have felt as they saw how this 607 00:28:29,045 --> 00:28:30,375 episode unfolded. 608 00:28:30,795 --> 00:28:34,695 You know, they probably had a little bit of an attitude of, 609 00:28:34,765 --> 00:28:37,895 well, he's , he's crazy, 610 00:28:38,075 --> 00:28:39,335 you know, not sure how this gonna go. 611 00:28:39,765 --> 00:28:41,855 Yeah. Yeah. I don't know what's gonna happen here, 612 00:28:41,995 --> 00:28:44,135 but he's acting a little crazy again. 613 00:28:44,915 --> 00:28:47,255 And yet, you know, they saw how it turned out. 614 00:28:47,595 --> 00:28:49,375 And, you know, as with all of his miracles, 615 00:28:49,595 --> 00:28:51,975 I'm sure it was just one experience 616 00:28:51,975 --> 00:28:53,255 of amazement after another. 617 00:28:53,555 --> 00:28:55,295 But, but he was forming them. Mm-hmm . 618 00:28:55,375 --> 00:28:57,815 He was forming them to, to trust him 619 00:28:57,955 --> 00:29:01,935 and to, to, to just believe 620 00:29:01,935 --> 00:29:04,775 that he was doing the heavy lifting, so to speak. 621 00:29:04,775 --> 00:29:05,935 Yeah. You know? Absolutely. 622 00:29:06,505 --> 00:29:08,255 - Let's, uh, move into the, the third portion 623 00:29:08,355 --> 00:29:09,695 of the interests of time here. 624 00:29:09,765 --> 00:29:11,375 Sure. Because we could talk about these things all day, 625 00:29:11,375 --> 00:29:12,855 which imagine someday we will , 626 00:29:13,255 --> 00:29:14,655 we have in the beatific vision. 627 00:29:14,765 --> 00:29:15,935 That'll be our conversation. 628 00:29:16,435 --> 00:29:19,135 But, uh, the, the sec the third level of mission, 629 00:29:19,155 --> 00:29:20,655 and of course, I love the timing of this. 630 00:29:20,855 --> 00:29:22,775 'cause we just talked about the breaking of bread. 631 00:29:22,835 --> 00:29:24,775 And Bishop, as you mentioned, it's kind 632 00:29:24,775 --> 00:29:26,775 of very eucharistic right now. 633 00:29:26,875 --> 00:29:28,375 We have the sending, which 634 00:29:28,375 --> 00:29:30,015 what happens at the end of mass, right? 635 00:29:30,015 --> 00:29:32,055 That's the sending Right Go. 636 00:29:32,075 --> 00:29:36,535 And so, uh, this verse that I, uh, drawing from Matthew, uh, 637 00:29:36,535 --> 00:29:40,455 chapter 28, verses 18 through 20, and Jesus came 638 00:29:40,455 --> 00:29:42,325 and said to them, them all authority in heaven 639 00:29:42,385 --> 00:29:43,925 and on earth has been given to me. 640 00:29:44,225 --> 00:29:47,045 Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, 641 00:29:47,045 --> 00:29:49,725 baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, 642 00:29:49,985 --> 00:29:52,845 and of the Holy Spirit teaching them to observe all 643 00:29:52,845 --> 00:29:53,925 that I have commanded you. 644 00:29:54,145 --> 00:29:57,565 And Lo I am with you always to the close of the age. 645 00:29:58,715 --> 00:29:59,715 Thoughts on that? 646 00:30:01,425 --> 00:30:05,515 - Well, it's, it's kind of the great valedictory, um, 647 00:30:06,415 --> 00:30:11,275 speech you might say that Jesus gives to his, his disciples. 648 00:30:11,425 --> 00:30:14,195 It's what we sometimes call the great commission. Mm-hmm . 649 00:30:14,775 --> 00:30:18,435 Um, go and make disciples. 650 00:30:19,865 --> 00:30:23,665 I mean, that's really the, the key to that whole passage. 651 00:30:24,645 --> 00:30:27,505 Um, first he's addressing the apostles, right. 652 00:30:28,285 --> 00:30:30,145 Uh, these are the ones 653 00:30:30,145 --> 00:30:32,425 that he had been forming over the course of time. 654 00:30:32,605 --> 00:30:35,865 And, um, he's sending them on this mission. 655 00:30:36,045 --> 00:30:39,165 You know, he, he had sent them 656 00:30:39,165 --> 00:30:41,485 before on little forays here and there, 657 00:30:41,585 --> 00:30:42,925 but they always kind of came back. 658 00:30:43,035 --> 00:30:45,205 Well, now the time had come. 659 00:30:45,545 --> 00:30:50,365 Now he was sending them in a big, kind of a definitive way 660 00:30:51,105 --> 00:30:54,205 to, to go and really get this, 661 00:30:55,645 --> 00:31:00,495 this endeavor moving and make disciples of all nations. 662 00:31:00,835 --> 00:31:02,015 That's really key, 663 00:31:02,505 --> 00:31:04,075 because up until that time, 664 00:31:04,265 --> 00:31:06,595 they had remained in the confines of, 665 00:31:07,515 --> 00:31:09,055 you know, Palestine mm-hmm . 666 00:31:09,135 --> 00:31:10,735 The, the what we call the Holy Land. 667 00:31:11,515 --> 00:31:14,735 Um, Jesus had said on more than one occasion, I've been sent 668 00:31:14,735 --> 00:31:17,495 to the, the House of Israel 669 00:31:17,995 --> 00:31:19,735 to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. 670 00:31:20,155 --> 00:31:24,985 But now he was sending his followers more widely mm-hmm . 671 00:31:25,085 --> 00:31:26,665 He was sending them out into the world, 672 00:31:26,965 --> 00:31:31,275 and he's telling them, make disciples, teach them, 673 00:31:31,925 --> 00:31:34,115 teach them, make disciples. 674 00:31:34,615 --> 00:31:36,555 And this, I think is really important. 675 00:31:36,895 --> 00:31:39,835 Um, he's not saying, go and, 676 00:31:40,015 --> 00:31:42,195 and keep this message to yourselves. 677 00:31:43,275 --> 00:31:47,205 He's not saying stay put and don't bother anybody. No. 678 00:31:47,205 --> 00:31:49,765 On the contrary, , he's telling them to go and, 679 00:31:49,765 --> 00:31:51,645 and bother people with this message. , 680 00:31:52,585 --> 00:31:54,445 uh, make a nuisance of yourself. 681 00:31:54,865 --> 00:31:56,445 Um, go and, 682 00:31:56,585 --> 00:31:59,085 and don't leave people just 683 00:31:59,545 --> 00:32:01,685 to go about their business as they always have. 684 00:32:02,275 --> 00:32:03,685 He's not satisfied with that. 685 00:32:03,785 --> 00:32:06,525 He wants them to, to go out and, 686 00:32:06,745 --> 00:32:09,845 and to share what they themselves have received. 687 00:32:10,945 --> 00:32:15,085 And the other thing about this pastor that I think, Brad, 688 00:32:15,145 --> 00:32:17,245 you, you touched on Steve, I think you did too. 689 00:32:18,875 --> 00:32:23,015 He closes it out and he says, I am with you always mm-hmm . 690 00:32:23,485 --> 00:32:24,895 Even to the end of the age. 691 00:32:25,635 --> 00:32:26,855 So he's sending them, 692 00:32:27,075 --> 00:32:30,065 but he's not like taking leave of them. 693 00:32:30,085 --> 00:32:31,985 Mm-hmm . In one sense, he is, 694 00:32:31,985 --> 00:32:34,945 but in another sense, he's assuring them that he's 695 00:32:34,945 --> 00:32:36,585 with them every step of the way. 696 00:32:37,135 --> 00:32:38,545 He's with them always. And, 697 00:32:39,105 --> 00:32:43,325 and I think that is a message for us as a church as well, 698 00:32:44,035 --> 00:32:46,925 because Jesus wasn't only addressing this commission 699 00:32:46,925 --> 00:32:49,525 to those, those immediate followers, 700 00:32:49,945 --> 00:32:52,285 he was really addressing that message to all of us. 701 00:32:52,505 --> 00:32:56,405 Yes. That's why Matthew puts that at the very end 702 00:32:56,405 --> 00:33:00,085 of the gospel to make sure that this is very, very clear 703 00:33:00,225 --> 00:33:04,405 to all of his readers that this commission is 704 00:33:04,425 --> 00:33:07,965 for everybody who calls themself a follower of Christ. 705 00:33:08,775 --> 00:33:11,245 Jesus is sending us out into the world. 706 00:33:11,825 --> 00:33:16,615 And by the way, that word send is the, 707 00:33:16,635 --> 00:33:18,055 the, the root meaning of mission, 708 00:33:18,235 --> 00:33:21,335 and it's the root meaning of the word apostle and apostolic. 709 00:33:21,605 --> 00:33:25,315 It's all the same thing to be sent, is to be apostolic. 710 00:33:25,315 --> 00:33:29,895 It is to be a missionary. Um, and that's true for all of us. 711 00:33:30,595 --> 00:33:34,335 So it, it's really the great sending 712 00:33:34,755 --> 00:33:38,975 of every follower of Jesus to go and to live this faith 713 00:33:39,155 --> 00:33:43,175 and to, to make disciples of all nations, to, 714 00:33:43,275 --> 00:33:46,295 to help other people to discover 715 00:33:46,435 --> 00:33:49,405 and to receive what we have received. 716 00:33:49,405 --> 00:33:50,485 What we have discovered, 717 00:33:50,945 --> 00:33:52,205 and again, I'll say it, you know, 718 00:33:52,205 --> 00:33:55,405 Jesus did not send them to go and do nothing. 719 00:33:55,545 --> 00:33:59,405 Mm-hmm . He did not send them to leave people as they were, 720 00:34:00,105 --> 00:34:02,325 he did not send them to mind, their own business 721 00:34:02,345 --> 00:34:05,485 and not to, um, get another people's business. 722 00:34:05,585 --> 00:34:07,925 No. On the contrary, he sent them 723 00:34:07,925 --> 00:34:09,525 to get into other people's business 724 00:34:09,905 --> 00:34:14,005 and to, um, to, to change them really 725 00:34:14,195 --> 00:34:16,405 with, with his grace. Absolutely. 726 00:34:16,675 --> 00:34:18,445 - Well, that's a, a great conversation. 727 00:34:18,465 --> 00:34:20,125 And on that note, the sending, I think 728 00:34:20,125 --> 00:34:22,445 that's a great sending of the, to go out and be sent. 729 00:34:22,865 --> 00:34:25,325 Um, and we're again, Bishop full, thank you so much 730 00:34:25,325 --> 00:34:27,525 for this conversation and for, you know, making it possible 731 00:34:27,525 --> 00:34:28,605 for have the Scent Podcast. 732 00:34:28,915 --> 00:34:31,565 Looking forward to having you back every month, um, 733 00:34:31,565 --> 00:34:33,125 and more conversations like this. So 734 00:34:33,155 --> 00:34:34,155 - I'll look forward to it. 735 00:34:34,155 --> 00:34:36,005 - Could you close this - With a blessing? Absolutely. 736 00:34:36,445 --> 00:34:38,355 Absolutely. Let us pray. 737 00:34:38,355 --> 00:34:41,555 Heavenly Father, we ask your blessing on us 738 00:34:41,735 --> 00:34:46,235 and all those who are participating in this scent podcast. 739 00:34:47,295 --> 00:34:50,855 We pray that through the outpouring of the grace 740 00:34:50,995 --> 00:34:55,105 of the Holy Spirit, we will be sent 741 00:34:55,445 --> 00:34:58,915 by Jesus our Lord, to witness 742 00:34:59,415 --> 00:35:02,915 to the great good news that he has shared with us, to 743 00:35:03,695 --> 00:35:07,185 the great unfolding of the mystery 744 00:35:07,185 --> 00:35:09,825 of God's love in our lives. 745 00:35:10,725 --> 00:35:12,945 We pray that many of our brothers 746 00:35:12,945 --> 00:35:17,735 and sisters will be set on fire with this gift of grace, so 747 00:35:17,735 --> 00:35:21,495 that, um, the entire world can be 748 00:35:22,005 --> 00:35:25,615 brought into the sheath fold of the kingdom of God. 749 00:35:26,475 --> 00:35:29,615 May the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, the Son, 750 00:35:29,795 --> 00:35:31,495 and the Holy Spirit come upon you 751 00:35:31,755 --> 00:35:32,895 and remain with you forever. 752 00:35:33,685 --> 00:35:36,095 - Amen. Amen. Thank you, Bishop Foa. Thank you, 753 00:35:36,095 --> 00:35:37,095 - Bishop. 754 00:35:37,095 --> 00:35:37,535 You're welcome. Thank you guys. 755 00:35:38,255 --> 00:35:40,175 - Absolutely. And, uh, folks, uh, we're gonna head out. 756 00:35:40,275 --> 00:35:41,815 So thanks for being with us. God bless.