Audio Divina

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

Blessed are those who do not see, yet believe: Today’s reading focuses upon the risen Jesus’ gift of peace to his frightened disciples. Most importantly, it blesses all subsequent disciples who, unlike the first disciples and Thomas, believe without seeing. John wrote his Gospel for these subsequent disciples. 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 2nd Sunday of Easter, Year A. Gospel Reading: John 20:19-31 This week’s readers are Tristan and Romina Narrated by Michael Gartland Produced by Michael Gartland and Ashley Trethowan For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

The Birth of Easter Faith: The empty tomb does not generate belief in Jesus as the Risen One for Mary Magdalene, nor for the two disciples, Simon Peter and the Beloved Disciple. But they are drawn to the tomb. There they see that God has been victorious over death. The clothes of death have been emptied. Even though he does not "see" the Risen Jesus, the Beloved Disciples sees God's victory, and believes. Easter faith has been born. 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 7th Sunday of the Year, Year A. Gospel Reading: John 20:1-9 Gospel read by Bronwyn and John Narrated by Michael Gartland Produced by Michael Gartland and Jeff Miller For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

The Risen Jesus Promises a New Era in Galilee: Matthew has already  reported earth-shattering events such as an earthquake, splitting of rocks and the resurrection of the dead at Jesus' death. He does the same in his account of the resurrection, marking the turning point of the ages. The women only find an empty tomb, are told to announce Jesus' resurrection and his future meeting with them all in Galilee. Because of Jesus' death and resurrection, nothing can be the same again. We gather as brothers and sisters of Jesus to form the new family of the Risen Lord. 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 Easter Vigil, Year A. Gospel Reading: Matthew 28:1-10 Gospel read by Miranda and Joseph Narrated by Michael Gartland Produced by Michael Gartland and Jeff Miller For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

The death of Jesus, and the birth of a new era: John's story of Jesus' passion is unique. Jesus is in control at all times in the Garden, before Jewish authorities, before Pilate, on the Cross, and is buried as a king. At the centre of the story, Pilate proclaims him as a King, and on the Cross he comes to his final glory, perfecting the task given to him by his Father. In dying, he pours down the Spirit on the infant Church of his Mother and the Beloved Disciple. The blood and water of Eucharist and Baptism flow from his pierced side. 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 Good Friday, Year A. Gospel Reading: John 18:1-19:42 Reading by Jennifer and Chris Narrated by Michael Gartland Produced by Jeff Miller and Jeff Miller For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

The Foot Washing: Jesus symbolically shows his limitless love for his own in his self-gift for “his own.” His loving care for others is the way all his disciples are called to follow. 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 Holy Thursday, Year A. Gospel Reading: John 13:1-15 Read by Paige and Michael Narrated by Michael Gartland Produced by Jeff Miller and Ashley Trethowan For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

The Death of Jesus, and the Birth of a New Era:  Matthew's passion narrative tells the story of Jesus' last night with his disciples, his arrest, trials, and eventual execution. Through this account of Jesus' unjust and violent death Matthew has insinuated a message central to his understanding of what God has done for us in and through Jesus: he has opened the way to God for all nations as all the signs of the end of the world accompany his death. Heaven and earth pass away, but after he has been raised, the Gospel will be preached to all nations. 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 Passion Sunday, Year A. Gospel Reading: Matthew 26:14-27:66 This week's reading performed by volunteers from the Salesian Youth Movement Narrated by Michael Gartland Produced by Michael Gartland and Ashley Trethowan For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

Do you believe this? Instruction on true faith continues. The sickness and death of Lazarus is not "unto death," but to manifest the glory of God and set in motion the glorification of Jesus, the Son of God. The disciples, Martha, Mary, and the Jewish people all struggle to cope with Jesus' claim to be the resurrection and the life. His restoration of Lazarus to life is a sign that his claim is true, but doubt and rejection surround his insistence that we see the life-giving power of his death and resurrection: Do you believe this? Many do not. 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 Lent, Year A. Gospel Reading: John 11:1-45 This week’s readers are Lauren and Xavier  Narrated by Michael Gartland Produced by Michael Gartland and Ashley Trethowan For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

From blindness to sight - from sight to blindness: The story of the man born blind leads us further in our understanding of true faith. The man begins totally without sight. Gradually he comes to confess that "the man called Jesus" is a "prophet," possibly "from God," and falls before Jesus confessing that he is "the Son of Man." He has journeyed from blindness to sight. Another story is also told. It is of the gradual and increasing blindness of the Jewish leaders who begin by accepting that Jesus is a miracle worker, but who finish by rejecting Jesus as a sinner. They are judged to be blind. 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 Lent, Year A. Gospel Reading: John 9:1-41 This week’s readers are Michael and Maria Narrated by Michael Gartland Produced by Michael Gartland and Ashley Trethowan For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

The Saviour of the World: Over the next weeks those to be baptised at Easter, and those of us already baptised, will be instructed on the nature of true Christian faith. The Samaritan woman is led by Jesus from total inability to accept his offer of waters that will produce eternal life, through the hope that he might be the Messiah. Summoned by their kinswoman, the Samaritan villagers come to Jesus, welcome them into their midst and go beyond the limited faith of the woman: Jesus is acclaimed as the saviour 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 3rd Sunday of Lent, Year A. Gospel Reading: John 4:5-42 This week’s readers are Jeff and Rose Narrated by Michael Gartland Produced by Michael Gartland and Ashley Trethowan For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

No Place to Pitch a Tent: Today's Gospel reminds us who it is that we are following to a cross. The transfiguration indicates that the suffering Son of Man is also the Messiah, the Son of God. Chosen disciples are witness to this truth, and they would like to bring Jesus' journey to death to an end by making tents,to hold this moment. Christian life cannot just "pitch a tent" - the journey to Jerusalem, and to the glory of death and resurrection must be completed. 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 2nd Sunday of Lent, Year A. Gospel Reading: Matthew 17:1-9 This week’s readers are Michael and Georgina Narrated by Michael Gartland Produced by Michael Gartland and Ashley Trethowan For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

The testing of God's Son: Our Lenten Gospels begin with Matthew's account of Jesus' temptation by Satan. Immediately prior to this passage, a voice from heaven cried out that Jesus is God's beloved Son so Satan tests whether or not this is true. Using Israel's Scriptures, he challenges Jesus: "If you are the Son of God ..." but Jesus rejects the temptations by using the Scriptures against Satan, driving him away. 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 1st Sunday of Lent, Year A. Gospel Reading: Matthew 4:1-11 This week’s readers are Christina and Matt    Narrated by Michael Gartland Produced by Michael Gartland and Ashley Trethowan For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

Ash Wednesday: Jesus instructs his disciples to focus upon the God who makes sense of life and love, rather than themselves and their glory. 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 Ash Wednesday Gospel Reading: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 This week’s readers are Julia and Dino Narrated and Produced by Michael Gartland  For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

To be perfect as our Father is perfect: Jesus ends the pattern of teaching the Law of Moses, (perfected by his deeper reasons for obedience to God) the end-point is a vocation to love. The practice of vengeance must be replaced with unconditional love for all. As God loves us unconditionally, Jesus asks his followers to love their fellows unconditionally. This is the most difficult law of all, but its practice will make us perfect, as our heavenly Father is perfect. 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 7th Sunday of the Year, Year A. Gospel Reading: Matthew 5:38-48 This week’s readers are Ines and Finnian    Narrated by Michael Gartland Produced by Michael Gartland and Ashley Trethowan For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

Until heaven and earth disappear: Jesus continues to reflect upon the Laws by reminding everyone of them. He interprets that law with the words, "But I say to you." On the authority of his own person and word he does not deny the value of the Law of Israel, but he asks we look deeper into the reasons for our obedience to God. The Law of Israel calls us to right living, and Jesus' interpretation of that Law brings it to perfection, by asking that we adopt a higher righteousness. 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 the Year, Year A. Gospel Reading: Matthew 5:17-37 This week’s readers are Sharon and Edward   Narrated by Michael Gartland Produced by Michael Gartland and Ashley Trethowan For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina