Audio Divina

The challenge of being a disciple of the Son of Man: The faith-filled Peter, the rock upon whom the Church is built, today becomes another rock: a stone, a stumbling block. Jesus must overcome this as he journeys to death and resurrection in Jerusalem. Peter is happy that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of the living God. But he has not accepted all the implications of Jesus' being the Son of Man. The disciple must follow Jesus, not tell him what to do. Jesus turns to all disciples, instructing them that the way to glory is through following Jesus, our suffering servant, through the cross to the glory of resurrection and life. 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 22nd Sunday of the year, Year A. Gospel Reading: Matthew 16:21-27 Gospel read by Michael and Georgina Narrated by Michael Gartland For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

The gift of true faith in Jesus: We have seen Peter's little faith in the storm. Today he responds well - on behalf of all believing disciples - to Jesus' question, "Who do you say that I am?" But his confession that Jesus is the Son of Man, the Christ, the Son of God - a faith that we all share - is not something he has arrived at through his own virtue and intelligence. It has been given to him by God. He is blessed because he is open to the reception of that gift. Openness to the truth about Jesus necessarily leads to blessing. 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 21st Sunday of the year, Year A. Gospel Reading: Matthew 16:13-20 Gospel read by Jennifer and Br David Narrated by Michael Gartland For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

Scraps from the Master's Table: Jesus has fed Israel from his table. But they prefer their own ways to his gifts. A Canaanite woman highlights their weakness, and point out the way of true faith to all of us. Aware that she brings nothing to the encounter with Jesus, all she asks is that he fills her emptiness with scraps from the Master's table. Her faith exceeds anything he has met in Israel, and brings healing to her daughter. She teaches us to bring our nothingness to Jesus that we might be empowered. 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 20th Sunday of the year, Year A. Gospel Reading: Matthew 15:21-28 Gospel read by Jennifer and Joseph  Narrated by Michael Gartland For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina    

Jesus' presence to those of little faith: One of the most evocative Gospel stories follows immediately upon the multiplication of the loaves and fish. Jesus, after a moment with his Father, alone on the mountain, comes out of the darkness to his disciples who struggle with the stormy sea but they do not recognise him.After he reveals himself, Peter responds to his summons to come across the sea, but he falters. Peter has faith, but only a little. He needs to be held and saved by Jesus, who is indeed the Son of God. This experience is part of Christian experience across the centuries. We are called to him, but can only make that journey when he takes us by the hand. 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 19th Sunday of the year, Year A. Gospel Reading: Matthew 14:22-33 Gospel read by Michael and Sara  Narrated by Michael Gartland For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodiv

No Place to Pitch a Tent:  The celebration of the Feast of the Transfiguration breaks into the celebrations of the Ordinary Sundays of the year. Disciples have a moment when they experience Jesus as God’s messianic son. They would like to stay in that moment forever. But they must come down from the mountain, and follow Jesus on his journey to death and resurrection. Jesus’ journey of to glory cannot be paused. Listen to him! 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 First Sunday of Lent, Year C. Gospel Reading: Matthew 17:1-9 This week’s readers are Michael and Georgina Narrated and Produced by Michael Gartland For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

Treasures both old and new: Jesus has spoken of the inevitable victory of the Kingdom, and the fact that it is gathered from a mixed bag of believers and non-believers. Today Jesus pauses to reflect upon the wonder of the Kingdom but we must not think the Kingdom is a treasure or a pearl. Jesus says we should be prepared to give all we have and can do in order to possess it. But we don't, so he adds the further parable about the dragnet, containing a good and a useless catch. Where do we fit? Matthew adds his signature. He brings out of his treasure things both new and old ... and so do we. 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 17th Sunday of the year, Year A. Gospel Reading: Matthew 13:44-52 Gospel read by Dominic and Julia  Narrated by Michael Gartland For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

Growth in the midst of challenges: Jesus continues to teach in parables, so that he might unveil "what has been hidden since the foundation of the world." The presence of God's Kingdom and the presence of evil must always co-exist in our society. What was tiny grows into a great tree, a pinch of yeast produces a beautiful loaf of bread. We must accept that Christian lives have always lived in a mixed situation. Ultimate trust must be placed in the God and Father of Jesus. The wheat and the darnel must mature together, but only the wheat will be gathered at the final harvest. All else will be destined for destruction. 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 16th Sunday of the year, Year A. Gospel Reading: Matthew 13:24-33 Gospel read by Bronwyn and Alex  Narrated by Michael Gartland For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

Seed is sown. Will it bear fruit?: Jesus begins to tell a series of parables that will be received by some and rejected by others. The leaders of Israel remain "outside" the Kingdom because their hearts are hardened and yet, the seed is sown, and whatever its reception, an abundant harvest will follow. The growth and spread of the Kingdom cannot be stopped. Turning to his disciples, he explains that the seed is also the word that must be accepted joyfully and fruitfully. God's word surrounds us, if we are open enough to see it, hear it and pass it on 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 15th Sunday of the year, Year A. Gospel Reading: Matthew 13:1-23 Gospel read by Promise and Ed  Narrated by Michael Gartland For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

The necessary yoke and burden: As the Gospel of Matthew moves away from the description of Jesus as a preacher and a healer, he will begin to encounter opposition. Before that begins, we are told that Jesus is so crucial because only He can make God known to those who are open and receptive to his teaching. Once members of his family, we must take on the family discipline: a yoke and a burden that is unlike any other. The burdens that will come our way as followers of Jesus must be borne, but they bring rest for our souls. 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 14th Sunday of the year, Year A. Gospel Reading: Matthew 11:25-30 Gospel read by Jeff and Carmel  Narrated by Michael Gartland For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

The costs and rewards of discipleship: Today's Gospel is dominated by the expression "anyone." That means all of us! We are first challenged by need to put the love of Jesus Christ before all loves, without playing down the centrality of love in our families and elsewhere. Then we are told that there is only one way to find true life, and that is by giving it away. The Gospel closes with examples of this self-gift, welcoming others and helping those in need. When we do these, we welcome no less a figure than Jesus himself. 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 13th Sunday of the year, Year A. Gospel Reading: Matthew 10:37-42 Gospel read by James and Raqael Narrated by Michael Gartland For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

Do not be afraid: Sent out as missionaries of Jesus, he instructs us that we must not fear. There will be difficulties, but we are to trust in God, who cares for the smallest and simplest creature. But we must be prepared to courageously witness to Jesus in society. He will then speak up for us when we come to meet our heavenly Father. Sisters and brothers of Jesus, we must show our preparedness to be loyal to him and to his word, so that he might stand by us before his - and our - Father. 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 twelfth Sunday of the year, Year A. Gospel Reading: Matthew 10:26-33 Gospel read by Rosa and Tony Narrated by Michael Gartland For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

To be Missionaries of Jesus: After a long story of Jesus as a teacher on the mountain (Matt 5-17) and a worker of miracles for the less fortunate (Matt 8-9), Jesus turns to his disciples and commissions them to be missionaries as he is a missionary: dependent upon him, receiving without charge and giving without charge. 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 eleventh Sunday of the year, Year A. Gospel Reading: Matthew 9:36–10:8 Gospel read by Fr Jeff and Elizabeth Narrated by Michael Gartland For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

We are the eucharistic presence of Jesus Christ: All of the Gospels tell of Jesus' multiplication of the loaves and fish by the Lake of Galilee. John reports Jesus' words to his audience who cannot accept that his gift of bread is greater than the gift of manna, a body broken and blood spilt for the life of the 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 Body and Blood of Christ, Year A. Gospel Reading: John 6:51-58 Gospel read by James and Mapalo Narrated by Michael Gartland For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

The oneness that Love creates: This brief Gospel is one of the most famous texts from the Bible. Behind these few famous words of Jesus lies the secret of what we call the mystery of the Trinity. Try as we may, and many have tried over the centuries, the inner workings of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are not known to us. We do know that God the Father so loved the world that he sent his Son . We know that the Son, in order to make that love known, gave himself unconditionally to the greatest of all loves: he died for us. We also know that this love continues to dwell and grow among us because of the Holy Spirit. Our doctrine of the Trinity is a way of indicating God in action. 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 A. Gospel Reading: John 3:16-18 Gospel read by Lauren and David  Narrated by Michael Gartland For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/au

The gift of the Spirit puts and end to fear: In the Gospel of John's account of the encounter between the risen Jesus and his disciples, they gather again in the upper room. Before he suffered and died he promised them that he would give them the Holy Spirit. After his resurrection, he comes to them, but they are gathered in fear, the doors firmly locked. Jesus sets them free. The gift of the Spirit brings joy, courage, freedom to be missionaries of God and Jesus Christ, and the authority to bring God's pardon to those who earnestly seek it. 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 A. Gospel Reading: John 20:19-23 Gospel read by Ann-Marie  and Trezur  Narrated by Michael Gartland For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

I will be with you always! The celebration of the Ascension of the Lord marks the end of an era. Jesus is no longer with us. The Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles tell of a departure of Jesus through an ascension. But the Gospel of Matthew reads this period between Jesus' presence and his final return differently: It will be a time when he will be with us. He is Lord of all, calling all nations into a community of the baptised, attempting to observe everything that Jesus has taught them. He may no longer be with us physically, but he will be with us to the end of time. 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 Ascension Sunday, Year A. Gospel Reading: Matt 28:16-20 Gospel read by Steph and Declan  Narrated by Michael Gartland For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

To love Jesus and to keep the commandment of love: Anyone who claims to love Jesus must live according to his commandments. We all hope to love Jesus, but wonder if we can keep the commandments. But we are not alone. As Jesus was the "first Advocate," teaching and showing us what love is all about, his return to the Father will lead to the gift of "another Paraclete who will equally journey with us as we attempt to live the single commandment that lies at the heart of all the commandments: "This is my commandment, that you love one another" (John 15:17). To love as Jesus loved seems impossible. But with thro the gift of the guidance of the Spirit, God makes all things possible. 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 6th Sunday of Easter, Year A. Gospel Reading: John 14:15-21 Gospel read by Pat and Miriam  Narrated by Michael Gartland Produced by Michael Gartland and Ashley Trethowan For more in

I am the way, the truth, and the life: Last week, we heard Jesus present himself as "the gate," and now we hear why - he is the way, the truth, and the life. On the night before he died he delivers a long discourse to the disciples. He is about to leave them, and they must continue on in the world in his absence, calling on them to have faith so that they might continue his "way" in the world, until such time that he returns. Jesus points out, however, that we cannot simply go on doing what Jesus did; we must maintain our union with Jesus and his Father so we may do "even greater things" that respond to the needs of our times. 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 5th Sunday of Easter, Year A. Gospel Reading: John 14:1-12 Gospel read by Sandy and Javier  Narrated by Michael Gartland Produced by Michael Gartland and Ashley Trethowan For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodiv

I am the gate!: The tenth chapter of the Gospel of John eventually identifies Jesus as the Good Shepherd, as do other passages in the Gospels (see John 10:11-18; Luke 15:3-7; Matthew 18:12-14). However, the opening ten verses to John 10 that we use in the Liturgy today do not identify Jesus as the Good Shepherd. He is presented as the gate. This is surprising, but the Gospel passage on Jesus as the Good Shepherd, first of all insists that all who wish to nourish and guide God's people must do so by passing through the gate who is Jesus. As Jesus says at another place of the Gospel of John: "I am the way, the truth, and the light" (14:6). 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 4th Sunday of Easter, Year A. Gospel Reading: John 10:1-10 Gospel read by Alex and Laura Narrated by Michael Gartland Produced by Michael Gartland and Ashley Trethowan For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/

From Jerusalem to Emmaus, and back again!: For Luke, the centre-point of God's saving presence among us is Jerusalem. There all the Paschal events take place. There the community will begin. But two disillusioned disciples have had enough. They walk away from Jerusalem. The risen Jesus sets out to journey with them. They know everything, but they do not see Jesus. By explaining the Scriptures and breaking bread with these weak disciples, Jesus brings them back to the home they should never have left: Jerusalem. 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 3rd Sunday of Easter, Year A. Gospel Reading: Luke 24:13-35 Gospel read by Bridie and Dino Narrated by Michael Gartland Produced by Michael Gartland and Ashley Trethowan For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina