The Word became Flesh - Christmas Day Year A
Audio Divina
The Prologue to the Gospel of John is among the most profound passages in the Bible. It tells of the pre-existent union of love between God and the Word, the Word's saving gifts of light and life, and our ambiguous response. But the Word is Jesus Christ who dwelt among us, showing us the wonderful presence of God's saving truth. Those who accept that truth become children of God.
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Swaddling cloths and a manger on the road - Christmas Night, Year A
Audio Divina
Luke's account of a birth of Jesus, as with the appearance of John the Baptist, is fixed in a given time and place. But it is surrounded by the symbols of swaddling cloths, only used for a king, a manger, from which Israel should be nourished, recognition by the simplest of people, the Shepherds, and the heavenly proclamation of God's glory. Jesus is born on a journey, for a journey.
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Born of the Spirit, the Saviour and the Emmanuel - 4th Sunday of Advent Year A
Audio Divina
Jesus' birth story contains a message full of wonderful promise. The puzzlement of Mary's pregnancy is overcome by the angel's explanation that this child is “of the Spirit". Matthew's story of Jesus' first coming prepares us for a promise that the risen Jesus will make in the very last line of the Gospel: "I will be with you till the end of the ages".
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Are you the one who is to come? - 3rd Sunday of Advent Year A
Audio Divina
From prison, John the Baptist asks an anxious question of Jesus: is he the one who is to come, or must we wait for another. Jesus responds by announcing that he is the fulfilment of the messianic prophecies. Amazingly, he then points to the incredible dignity of those who have been blessed by entry into the kingdom. They are even greater that John the Baptist - This is indeed "good news."
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The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand - 2nd Sunday of Advent, Year A
Audio Divina
John the Baptist calls for conversion, and the acceptance of a ritual of baptism using the words that Jesus will also use. But what John is doing is only a preparation for the fiery immersion into the Spirit-filled baptism that the Jesus will bring; for Jesus is the true master whose sandals John is not worthy to untie.
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The Two Advents of Jesus - 1st Sunday of Advent, Year A
Audio Divina
Towards the end of Matthew's Gospel, Jesus uses the story of Noah to teach us that the ordinary things go on as we live our Christian lives, rejoicing in what we were given at the first coming of Jesus at Christmas, yet watchful and awake as we wait for the second coming of Jesus.
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A crucified King? - Christ the King, Year C
Audio Divina
As Jesus predicts the destruction of the Temple, his disciples assume that he is speaking of the proximate end of the world. He corrects them by pointing to the long history of suffering and faithfulness that lies ahead of them, and explains that only God can determine the signs and times of the end of history.
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When will the end come? - 33rd Sunday of the Year, Year C
Audio Divina
As Jesus predicts the destruction of the Temple, his disciples assume that he is speaking of the proximate end of the world. He corrects them by pointing to the long history of suffering and faithfulness that lies ahead of them, and explains that only God can determine the signs and times of the end of history.
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The Sadducees strike back - 32nd Sunday of the Year, Year C
Audio Divina
Having arrived in Jerusalem, Jesus preaches in the Temple. The Sadducees attempt to discredit his teaching, based on their understanding of the Law. Jesus shows them that they neither understand the power of the resurrection, nor the Word of God.
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Jesus and the tax-collector
Audio Divina
As Jesus passes through Jericho, nearing Jerusalem, a tax-collector is prepared to make a fool of himself to see him. Lovingly welcomed by Jesus, everyone is shocked that a religious figure like Jesus would share his table with such a sinner.
info_outlineThe 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