Born of the Spirit, the Saviour and the Emmanuel - 4th Sunday of Advent Year A
Release Date: 12/16/2025
I am the way, the truth, and the life - 5th Sunday of Easter
Audio Divina
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.
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I am the gate!
Audio Divina
The tenth chapter of the Gospel of John eventually identifies Jesus as the Good Shepherd. However, the opening verses 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.
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From Jerusalem to Emmaus, and back again!
Audio Divina
For Luke, the centre-point of God's saving presence among us is Jerusalem; it is where all Paschal events take place and the community begins. But two disillusioned disciples walk away from Jerusalem, so the risen Jesus journeys with them. He explainins the Scriptures and breaks bread with them, bringing them back to the home they should never have left: Jerusalem.
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Blessed are Those Who do not See, Yet Believe
Audio Divina
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.
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The Birth of Easter Faith
Audio Divina
The Birth of Easter Faith: The empty tomb does not generate belief in Jesus as the Risen One for Mary Magdalene, 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.
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The Risen Jesus Promises a New Era in Galilee
Audio Divina
Matthew reports earth-shattering events such as an earthquake, splitting of rocks and the resurrection of the dead at Jesus' death and 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. We gather as brothers and sisters of Jesus to form the new family of the Risen Lord.
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The Death of Jesus, and the Birth of the Church
Audio Divina
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 central message: he has opened the way to God for all nations. Heaven and earth pass away, but after he has been raised, the Gospel will be preached to all nations.
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The Foot Washing
Audio Divina
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.
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The Death of Jesus, and the Birth of a New Era
Audio Divina
Matthew's passion narrative tells the story of Jesus' unjust and violent death, insinuating 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.
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Do you believe this? - 5th Sunday of Lent - Year A
Audio Divina
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.
info_outlineBorn of the Spirit, the Saviour and the Emmanuel: On this final Sunday of Advent we turn to the story of Jesus' birth; it contains a message full of wonderful promise. The puzzlement created by Mary's pregnancy is overcome by the angel's explanation because 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".
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 Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year A.
Gospel Reading: Matt 1:18-24
This week’s readers are Alex and Laura
Narrated by Michael Gartland
Produced by Michael Gartland and Ashley Trethowan
For more information visit:
www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina