Jesus praises the cunning steward
Audio Divina
Today's Gospel is puzzling. The rich man's steward seems to be a thief, yet Jesus praises him. The Jewish law against making interest on a loan lies behind the steward's actions, and the master must praise him for his cunning ability to make friends through his actions. Jesus then turns to his followers and instructs them on the need to use the material possessions of this world honestly in order to be part of the friendship of the children of the light in the Kingdom.
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There was a man who had two sons
Audio Divina
The God who brings fire on earth in and through Jesus, who sends us to the broken, and asks that we place first things first may seem demanding. But that same God is the Father who gives his children the freedom to make mistakes, and who welcomes them back when they fail. The parable of the father with the two sons ends with the Father out in the dark, trying to save his second lost son. This is the God of compassion made known to us by his son, Jesus of Nazareth. Everything he has is ours.
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The Cost of Discipleship
Audio Divina
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.
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Whoever Exalts Himself will be Humbled
Audio Divina
Within the setting of one of Luke's favourite scenes, a meal-table, Jesus turns the value-system and the way of judging one another on its head. We expect honours and privileges to be given to the significant people in out society. As Jesus has shown in his loving self-gift for us, this is not the way things work in the kingdom of God. Seeking the lower places will lead to our advancement, and sharing with those who are most in need leads to the greatest of all honours.
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We have heard you preach and shared your table
Audio Divina
When asked who will be saved, Jesus responds that we must work hard to enter the narrow door. Many who regard themselves as having a privileged place because they have shared a meal with Jesus and heard his word might find that the door is shut on them ... because they do not do their best to enter the narrow door. The simple, honest, loving, Christ-like person may well be the least in society, but he or she will be the first in the Kingdom. Those who are socially most significant may be the least.
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Fire on Earth
Audio Divina
A fire burnt in the life of Jesus, his unconditional acceptance of what his Father asked of him, and it dominated his life- to the Cross. The same fire burns in all of us who follow him. We are called to be passionate about our faith, in the midst of division and rejection.
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Servants of the Servant Messiah
Audio Divina
Jesus instructs his disciples on the need for them to be servants, ready for the return of their servant Messiah, so that he may serve them yet again. We only know that this moment will come. We do not know when that will be. Peter asks to whom this message is directed. Jesus responds by describing the qualities of the good and faithful servant.
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Storing up treasure
Audio Divina
It is important that we be good stewards of the treasures that come to us through our hard work, and our care for others. But the danger is that we come to thing that our lives are made secure by what we own. The parable of the unwise rich man drives this point home. Jesus' assessment of those who think and act like this man is that they are fools.
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Teach us to pray
Audio Divina
Today's Gospel tells us how to respond to our God, who is our Father, as Jesus responded to his Father. This much loved prayer calls us to place God's name and God's kingdom first. How hard that can be. It also asks that we be forgiven as we forgive others. That is risky indeed. Yet Jesus' parables, that follow his teaching the disciples how to pray, promise us that our Father will hear and respond.
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To serve, to listen - or both?
Audio Divina
The famous episode of Jesus' presence in the house of Martha, accompanied by her sister Mary, must be interpreted in the light of immediately before this account, Luke tells last week's parable: the Good Samaritan. It is crucial to care for others, as does Martha in today's Gospel. But we must also listen to the word of Jesus, as does Mary.
info_outlineFrom the beginning of creation: Tested by the Pharisees on his interpretation of divorce, approved by Jewish Law under certain conditions, Jesus abandons Law, and describes how God planned the relationship between a woman and a man "from the beginning" before sin had entered the world. Jesus continues to instruct his disciples about the challenge to serve and be reception "in practice" and not just "in theory."
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 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B.
Gospel Reading: Mark 10:2-16
This week’s readers are Lauren and Thomas
Narrated and Produced by Br Jeff Miller SDB
For more information visit:
www.salesians.org.au/info/audiodivina