Audio Divina

Living the In-Between-Time :  Jesus instructs us on the seriousness of our commitment to the in-between-time. The Master leaves for a distant land and gives his servants a large sum of money. Some use it well but one of them digs a hole and hides it, out of fear of the Master. God showers abundant gifts upon us and we are to receive them gladly, using them as we make our contribution to the world and society. We are not to dig a hole to hide our gifts, waiting for the return of an angry God. Such an attitude misunderstands God, and the service we are to render with our God-given talents. 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 33rd Sunday of the year, Year A. Gospel Reading: Matthew 25:14-30 Gospel read by Paige and Michael Narrated and produced by Michael Gartland For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

The Gift of the Now and the Promise of the Not Yet: As Jesus' life-story comes to an end, he focusses his attention upon the end of all history, and God's final judgment. With the parable of the wise and foolish virgins, he instructs on the importance of both our current Christian experience, and the end-time that lies in the future. The parable presents the virgins who will welcome the bridegroom and his bride with lighted lamps. Some are not prepared for a possible delay and are subsequently not recognised by the bridegroom. Jesus warns that we must wait for whatever day and hour God plans for the end of history. In the meantime, we must live full Christian lives in our dedication to "today," aware that we are waiting for a "tomorrow" that only God can determine. 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 32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A. Gospel Reading: Matthew 25:1-13, read by Matthew a

A Program for Holiness: We pause our reading of the final pages of Matthew to go back to the beginning of Jesus' ministry in his sermon on the mount, where a new and perfect Moses gives us a new and perfect Law. We celebrate the "saints," those who have not been raised to the altars, but whom we know in our hearts are "saints," by recalling the gifts God gives us that make us holy. This program for holiness places the Christian somewhat at odds with a secular world, but there is much that we can do for that world if we respond generously to God's gifts. Today we praise and thank God for the many "saints" we have known and loved, and we ask that we too may grow in holiness. 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 All Saints Day, Year A. Gospel Reading: Matthew 5:1-12 Gospel read by Julia and Br Pau Narrated and Produced by Michael Gartland For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/aud

The greatest commandment: Bringing the conflict between Jesus and the leaders of Israel to an end, Jesus astounds them as they attempt to trap him in a debate over the most important law in Israel. He responds by taking them back to their Law, reminding them that Moses instructed that that they must love God (Deuteronomy 6) and love their neighbour (Leviticus 6). These laws have always been with them. But for the first time in history, Jesus brings them together. To love God calls for love of neighbour; to love neighbour gives witness to the truth that we love 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 30th Sunday of the year, Year A. Gospel Reading: Matthew 22:34-40 Gospel read by Bro Duc and Ines Narrated by Michael Gartland For more information visit: www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina

Give to God what belongs to God: The leaders of Israel take the initiative, sending representatives of the Pharisees and some Herodians to trap Jesus. Righteous Religion - the Pharisees - and political convenience - the Herodians - join to pose a question where whatever Jesus answers will be wrong. He will support the Roman tax, and thus offend the Pharisees, or reject it, and thus offend the Herodians. But he asks them for a coin that bears the effigy of Caesar. There are matters that belong to Caesar. His questioners are looking after that, as is obvious from their possession of the Roman coin. But they are to render to God what belongs to God. They are called to recognise the presence of God's Son among them. In this, they continue to fail. 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 29th Sunday of the year, Year A. Gospel Reading: Matthew 22:15-21 Gospel read by Bridie and Declan Narrated by

Invitation to a wedding feast: Through the parable of the wedding feast, Jesus continues his questioning of Israel's leadership. But this is no ordinary wedding. It is the wedding feast the king is giving for his son. Continuing the theme of last week's parable, the vineyard becomes a wedding feast. Those invited to the feast reject and even murder those who invite them to the wedding. The king slays them, and turns elsewhere: the good and the bad are invited from the highways and the byways. But even among the multitudes who are now invited to the wedding, there is one who does not respond to the invitation. Greeted as "friend," he refuses to be part of the celebration. We have all been invited to God's banquet. Today's Gospel urges us to take that invitation seriously. 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 28th Sunday of the year, Year A. Gospel Reading: Matthew 22:1-14 Gospel read by Ro

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