Audio Divina

There was a father who had two sons: The God who brings fire on earth in and through Jesus, who sends us to the broken, and asks that we place first things first may seem demanding. But that same God is the Father who gives his children the freedom to make mistakes, and who welcomes them back when they fail. The parable of the father with the two sons ends with the Father out in the dark, trying to save his second lost son. This is the God of compassion made known to us by his son, Jesus of Nazareth. Everything he has is ours. Presented by world-renowned biblical scholar Rev. Professor Francis J. Moloney SDB AM, Audio Divina, is a Lectio-Divina styled reflection on the gospel for the Twenty-fourth Sunday of the Year, Year C. Gospel Reading: Luke15:1-32 This week’s readers are Issac and Miranda Narrated and Produced by Br Jeff Miller SDB For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

The Cost of Discipleship: Jesus' challenging words on discipleship now seem to become more than challenging: they are harsh. Anyone who wishes to be a disciple much reckon their deepest and most intimate relationships, and all their possessions, as lesser than their following of Jesus and the gift of God's reigning presence among us. But as we plan for our ultimate future, it is crucial that we put first things first. Jesus' own life, teaching, death and resurrection show us the way. Presented by world-renowned biblical scholar Rev. Professor Francis J. Moloney SDB AM, Audio Divina, is a Lectio-Divina styled reflection on the gospel for the Twenty-third Sunday of the Year, Year C. Gospel Reading: Luke 14:25-33 This week’s readers are Michael and Sharon Narrated and Produced by Br Jeff Miller SDB For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled: Within the setting of one of Luke's favourite scenes, a meal-table, Jesus turns the value-system and the way of judging one another on its head. We expect honours and privileges to be given to the significant people in out society. As Jesus has shown in his loving self-gift for us, this is not the way things work in the kingdom of God. Seeking the lower places will lead to our advancement, and sharing with those who are most in need leads to the greatest of all honours: victory in our eventual experience of death and resurrection. Presented by world-renowned biblical scholar Rev. Professor Francis J. Moloney SDB AM, Audio Divina, is a Lectio-Divina styled reflection on the gospel for the Twenty-Second Sunday of the Year, Year C. Gospel Reading: Luke 14:7-14 This week’s readers are Jennifer and Joseph   Narrated and Produced by Br Jeff Miller SDB For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

We have heard you preach and shared your table: When asked who will be saved, Jesus responds that we must work hard to enter the narrow door. Many who regard themselves as having a privileged place because they have shared a meal with Jesus and heard his word might find that the door is shut on them ... because they do not do their best to enter the narrow door. The simple, honest, loving, Christ-like person may well be the least in society, but he or she will be the first in the Kingdom. Those who are socially most significant may be the least. Presented by world-renowned biblical scholar Rev. Professor Francis J. Moloney SDB AM, Audio Divina, is a Lectio-Divina styled reflection on the gospel for the Twenty-First Sunday of the Year, Year C. Gospel Reading: Luke 13:22-30 This week’s readers are John and Maria  Narrated and Produced by Br Jeff Miller SDB For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

Fire on earth: A fire burnt in the life of Jesus, his unconditional acceptance of what his Father asked of him, and it dominated his life- to the Cross. The same fire burns in all of us who follow him. However, as we know, the passionate living of a Christian life of love and self giving, or care and goodness to others, directed by the Word of God and nourished by the Church and our fellow Christians, brings a fire that the world we live in does not want in its midst. We are called to be passionate about our faith, in the midst of division and rejection. Presented by world-renowned biblical scholar Rev. Professor Francis J. Moloney SDB AM, Audio Divina, is a Lectio-Divina styled reflection on the gospel for the Twentieth Sunday of the Year, Year C. Gospel Reading: Luke 12:49-53 This week’s readers are Pat and Lauren Narrated and Produced by Br Jeff Miller SDB For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

Servants of the Servant Messiah: Jesus instructs his disciples on the need for them to be servants, ready for the return of their servant Messiah, so that he may serve them yet again. We only know that this moment will come. We do not know when that will be. Peter asks to whom this message is directed. Jesus responds by describing the qualities of the good and faithful servant, and the failure of the disciple who forgets to serve as the Master does not return. Those who have received so much are blessed; but their blessing must be seen in the ongoing quality of their service. Presented by world-renowned biblical scholar Rev. Professor Francis J. Moloney SDB AM, Audio Divina, is a Lectio-Divina styled reflection on the gospel for the Nineteenth Sunday of the Year, Year C. Gospel Reading: Luke 12:32-48 This week’s readers are Paige and Trezur Narrated and Produced by Br Jeff Miller SDB For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

Storing up treasure: Jesus will not enter into a debate over who owns what. He insists that such concerns miss the point. It is important that we be good stewards of the treasures that come to us through our hard work, and our care for others. But the danger is that we come to thing that our lives are made secure by what we own. We know that this is not true, but we live as if it were. The parable of the unwise rich man drives this point home. Jesus' assessment of those who think and act like this man is that they are fools. Presented by world-renowned biblical scholar Rev. Professor Francis J. Moloney SDB AM, Audio Divina, is a Lectio-Divina styled reflection on the gospel for the Eighteenth Sunday of the Year, Year C. Gospel Reading: Luke 12:13-21 This week’s readers are Bridie and Dino Narrated and Produced by Br Jeff Miller SDB For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

Teach us to pray: Our reflection on Luke's Gospel has instructed us to care for others, and to learn from the word of Jesus. Today's Gospel tells us how to respond to our God, who is our Father, as Jesus responded to his Father. This much loved prayer calls us to place God's name and God's kingdom first. How hard that can be. It also asks that we be forgiven as we forgive others. That is risky indeed. Yet Jesus' parables, that follow his teaching the disciples how to pray, promise us that our Father, whose care extends beyond that of all fathers, will hear and respond. Presented by world-renowned biblical scholar Rev. Professor Francis J. Moloney SDB AM, Audio Divina, is a Lectio-Divina styled reflection on the gospel for the Seventeenth Sunday of the Year, Year C. Gospel Reading: Luke 11:1-13 This week’s readers are Christina and Declan Narrated and Produced by Br Jeff Miller SDB For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina  

To serve, to listen - or both?  The famous episode of Jesus' presence in the house of Martha, accompanied by her sister Mary, must be interpreted in the light of immediately before this account, Luke tells last week's parable: the Good Samaritan. It is crucial to care for others, as does Martha in today's Gospel. But we must also listen to the word of Jesus, as does Mary. Indeed, we are invited to do both: we must have a reason for our good actions, and only by listening to Jesus do we find the Christian motivation for our goodness to others. Presented by world-renowned biblical scholar Rev. Professor Francis J. Moloney SDB AM, Audio Divina, is a Lectio-Divina styled reflection on the gospel for the Sixteenth Sunday of the Year, Year C. Gospel Reading: Luke 10:38-42 This week’s readers are Jennifer and Finnian  Narrated and Produced by Br Jeff Miller SDB For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina  

Who is my neighbour?  A lawyer wishes to get the better of Jesus. Is Jesus able to give one Law that gives eternal life? He provides that law of love of God and neighbor, but the lawyer insists - who is my neighbour? Jesus shatters his confidence with the parable of the Good Samaritan. The Samaritan is the neighbour who cares, and the lawyer must do likewise. He must behave like a Samaritan, someone whom political correctness tells him he should despise. Presented by world-renowned biblical scholar Rev. Professor Francis J. Moloney SDB AM, Audio Divina, is a Lectio-Divina styled reflection on the gospel for the Fifteenth Sunday of the Year, Year C. Gospel Reading: Luke 10:25-37 This week’s readers are Pauline and Luc Narrated and Produced by Br Jeff Miller SDB For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina  

To be a missionary of Jesus: As Jesus set out for Jerusalem, he instructed his disciples on the cost of discipleship. However, there is more to being a disciple of Jesus. A disciple must also be a missionary: sent out to proclaim the coming of the Kingdom. In today's Gospel Jesus instructs missionary disciples how they are to behave whole on mission. Their most important method of proclaiming the Gospel will be the message of their lives. Presented by world-renowned biblical scholar Rev. Professor Francis J. Moloney SDB AM, Audio Divina, is a Lectio-Divina styled reflection on the gospel for the Fourteenth Sunday of the Year, Year C. Gospel Reading: Luke 10:1-12, 17-20 This week’s readers are Julia and Tony Narrated and Produced by Br Jeff Miller SDB For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina  

Following Jesus to Jerusalem: Today's reading from the Gospel of Luke marks a turning point in his story of Jesus. After his ministry in Galilee, he sets his face to go to Jerusalem, where he will be received into heaven. He does this "resolutely." But a Samaritan village will have nothing to do with such a man, and his disciples do not understand. Jesus must instruct them on the radical nature of Christian discipleship. Presented by world-renowned biblical scholar Rev. Professor Francis J. Moloney SDB AM, Audio Divina, is a Lectio-Divina styled reflection on the gospel for the Thirteenth Sunday of the Year, Year C. Gospel Reading: Luke 9:51-62 This week’s readers are Anne-Maree and Matt Narrated and Produced by Br Jeff Miller SDB For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

They all ate, and were filled: We resume the Year of Luke in his account of the multiplication of the loves and fishes. The story tells us of Jesus' ongoing eucharistic presence, always open in the baskets of pieces of bread that remain at the end of the meal. But the meal happens because the disciples do what Jesus asks them to do: "You give them something to eat." He continues to challenge us to be a eucharistic people. We are not only people who "go to Mass," but people who give something to eat to the many who are searching for both spiritual and physical nourishment. Presented by world-renowned biblical scholar Rev. Professor Francis J. Moloney SDB AM, Audio Divina, is a Lectio-Divina styled reflection on the gospel for The Body and Blood of Christ, Year C. Gospel Reading: Luke 9:11-17 This week’s readers are Michael and Julia Narrated and Produced by Br Jeff Miller SDB For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

The Father, his Word, and his Truth: Easter Season closed with the celebration of the gift of the Holy Spirit. The "Ordinary time of the year" begins with the extraordinary tradition of our triune God. Jesus always looked to his Father. He promised that after his departure, the Father would send the Spirit. We live Christian lives because God has so loved us that he gave us his Son. The Son saved us through his death and resurrection, and the Spirit holds all of this love together among us. This trinity is the One God that we believe in. Presented by world-renowned biblical scholar Rev. Professor Francis J. Moloney SDB AM, Audio Divina, is a Lectio-Divina styled reflection on the gospel for Trinity Sunday, Year C. Gospel Reading: John 16:12-15 This week’s readers are Alex and Laura Narrated and Produced by Br Jeff Miller SDB For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

The Holy Spirit will teach you everything: The Season of Easter closes in the celebration of the gift of the Holy Spirit, perfecting the gift of the Law at Sinai. A new law, the Law of Jesus, now determines our lives. The role of the Spirit is to keep reminding us of that law, guiding, teaching, and protecting us. We "learn" from the Spirit as we continue to make the challenge of Jesus' person and teaching present in our world. Presented by world-renowned biblical scholar Rev. Professor Francis J. Moloney SDB AM, Audio Divina, is a Lectio-Divina styled reflection on the gospel for Pentecost Sunday, Year C. Gospel Reading: John 14:15-16, 23-26 This week’s readers are Tristan and Romina Narrated and Produced by Br Jeff Miller SDB For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

The Ascension of the Lord: But at the end of the Gospel of Luke, the disciples are full of joy. They have repented and their sins have been forgiven. Jesus gives them final instructions. They are to wait in the city of Jerusalem for the gift of the Spirit. They can now be witnesses to the ends of the earth to what they have experienced - repentance and forgiveness of sin. Jesus departs, and the mission of the witnessing Church begins. Presented by world-renowned biblical scholar Rev. Professor Francis J. Moloney SDB AM, Audio Divina is a Lectio-Divina styled reflection on the gospel for the Ascension of the Lord, Year C. Gospel Reading: Luke 24:46-53 This week’s readers are Tiffany and Ezekiel Narrated and Produced by Br Jeff Miller SDB For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

6th Sunday of Easter: As Jesus moves further into his Last Discourse with his disciples before his passion, death, and resurrection, he tells them that he must depart from them. But he will come back to them, and dwell with them. There will, however, be a time of absence. In that in-between time, the disciples are instructed on the need to live by the word of Jesus, and promised that they will be supported and guided by the Spirit-Paraclete. Presented by world-renowned biblical scholar Rev. Professor Francis J. Moloney SDB AM, Audio Divina is a Lectio-Divina styled reflection on the gospel for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year C. Gospel Reading: John 14:23-29 This week’s readers are Jacqui and Carlos Narrated and Produced by Br Jeff Miller SDB For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

5th Sunday of Easter: As Judas departs, Jesus cries out in triumph. His moment of glory, his loving self-gift on the cross is at hand. But he will soon be leaving his disciples. They must now face a time when he is no longer with them as he was during his ministry. They must continue his presence by following the new commandment: loving as he has loved. Presented by world-renowned biblical scholar Rev. Professor Francis J. Moloney SDB AM, Audio Divina is a Lectio-Divina styled reflection on the gospel for the Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year C. Gospel Reading: John 13:31-35 This week’s readers are John and Maria Narrated and Produced by Br Jeff Miller SDB For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

Listening to the voice of the Good Shepherd: Within the context of the Jewish celebration of the Feast of the Dedication, marking the return of the Jerusalem Temple to its proper place as a way to God, Jesus presents himself, his word, and his way of life as an authoritative way to God. He has such authority as there no longer need to go to a Temple to find Good; the Father and Jesus are one! Presented by world-renowned biblical scholar Rev. Professor Francis J. Moloney SDB AM, Audio Divina, is a Lectio-Divina styled reflection on the gospel for the Forth Sunday of Easter, Year C. Gospel Reading: John 10:27-30 This week’s readers are Sharon and Br David Narrated and Produced by Br Jeff Miller SDB For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

Do you love me? Feed my sheep! The Gospel of John closes by drawing the two foundational disciples back into the action. Having given up on Jesus, Peter decides he is going fishing. However, recognised by the Beloved Disciple as "the Lord," Jesus enables a miraculous catch of many fish, a symbol of the universal Church. At the subsequent meal, Peter overcomes his three-fold denial of Jesus by his three-fold profession of love. His eventual death will glorify God, just as Jesus' death glorified God. Presented by world-renowned biblical scholar Rev. Professor Francis J. Moloney SDB AM, Audio Divina, is a Lectio-Divina styled reflection on the gospel for the Third Sunday of Easter, Year C. Gospel Reading: John 21:1-19 This week’s readers are Rosa and Michael Narrated and Produced by Br Jeff Miller SDB For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina