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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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: 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: 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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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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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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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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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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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.
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The story of the man born blind leads us further in our understanding of true faith. 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." 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.
info_outlineUntil 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