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Ep.2 A CHILD DESCENDING FROM THE LINE OF DAVID Josep and Mary reach Bethlehem. They register, and then begin looking for a place to spend the night, in vain. They are told to go a shepherds’ stable, where they settle in. It is here the baby is born......While the star’s light continues to show the way to the Magi... And the shepherds come forh, bringing gifts. REFERENCES The narrative materials and the texts of this episode have been drawn by the following passages from the Gospel: Luke. 1,5-79; 2,1-20. |
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Ep.3 KING HEROD’S FEAR The three Kings visit Herod and tell him about the birth of a King, the event awaited for centuries by the people of Israel. They then go to the cave and visit Jesus. The angered and frightened Herod orders that all newborn babies in the area of Bethlehem be killed. In the meantime, an angel warns Joseph of the danger and orders him to flee to Egypt. After having gone to Jerusalem for the presentation of Jesus at the Temple, Joseph and his family reach Ezra’s house in Memphis. REFERENCES The stories and the texts of this episode are based on the following sections of the Gospel: Matthew. 2.1-18; Luke. 2,22-38. |
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Ep.4 A CHILD AMONG THE WISE MEN Joseph and Mary have run away from Jerusalem, after having been warned by an angel that Herod wants to kill Jesus. They reach Egypt, where they end up staying for almost three years, until Jesus is informed by the angel about Herod’s death. After returning to Nazareth, Joseph resumes his work as a craftsman. Here Jesus grows up in holiness and wisdom, helping his father out in his works and going to the synagogue, where he learns to read and write. He is now 12 years old, and his goodness and wisdom are already extraordinary qualities in Him. At Easter,Jesus’family decides to go on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. The visit to Herod’s monumental Temple arouses a deep emotion in Jesus. On the way back, Mary realizes that Jesus is not in the pilgrims’ caravan. After a feverish search, Mary and Joseph find Jesus in the Temple talking to the Doctors of the Law. REFERENCES The narrative materials and the texts of this episode have been drawn by the following passages from the Gospel: Matthew. 2, 13-23; Luke. 2, 39-50. |
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Ep.5 BAPTISM ACORDING TO JOHN John the Baptist baptizes people in the Jordan river. He announces the arrival of the Messiah who will come after him and for whom he is preparing the way. One day Jesus arrives to be baptized. Recognizing Jesus’ greater authority, John is unwilling but is compelled to baptize Him nevertheless... After being baptized, Jesus retreats to the Desert of Judaea. REFERENCES The narrative materials and the texts of this episode have been drawn by the following extracts from the Gospel: Matthew. 3, 1-17; Mark. 1, 1-8; Luke. 3, 1-18; John. 1, 19-34; 3, 28-30; Psalm 150. |
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Ep.6 TEMPTATIONS IN THE DESERT Jesus is in the desert,Gebel Qarantal. After forty days the Devil tries to tempt Jesus to abandon his chosen path. But all to no avail: Jesus will take up the path he has chosen and leave the desert to return among men and announce the Kingdom of Heaven. REFERENCES The narrative materials and the texts of this episode have been drawn by the following extracts from the Gospel: Matthew. 4, 1-11; Mark. 1, 12-13; Luke. 4, 1-13; John. 1, 37-40; Quotes from Psalms 1, 88, 91. |
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Ep.7 THE MARTYRDOM OF THE WITNESS John the Baptist preaches the coming of the Messiah and criticizes Herod and his immoral wife Herodiade. Herod orders his arrest. Jesus carries out miracles, cures the sick and brings the dead back to life. During a banquet, Salomè, Herod’s step-daughter, spurred on by her mother, asks for and receives the head of John the Baptist. The sentence is carried out... REFERENCES The narrative materials and the texts of this episode have been drawn by the following extracts from the Gospel: Matthew. 3, 1-11; 11, 2-6; 14, 3-12; Mark. 1, 1-8; 6, 17-29; Luke. 3, 1-20; 7, 11-23; John. 3, 22-24; |
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Ep.8 THE FULFILMENT OF THE PROPHECY Jesus carries out his first miracle, turning water into wine during a marriage feast in Canaan, Galilee. Then in Cafarnao, he heals the many sicks who are brought to him. He goes back to Nazareth, where he reads a passage from Isaiah in the synagogue, recognizing Himself in its words and he proclaims that the words of the prophet have been verified in Him. But his fellow townfolks do not believe him and try to hunt him down and kill him... REFERENCES The narrative materials and the texts of this episode have been drawn by the following extracts from the Gospel: Matthew. 13, 53-58; Mark. 6, 1-6; Luke. 4, 16-30; John. 2, 1-12; |
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Ep.9 A WOMAN IN SAMARIA Jesus spreads the word in Samaria(Sebaste). Then he returns to Capernaum... ... Where he is joined by a family with a paralysed son. He heals him. The news of John the Baptist’s death reaches him. REFERENCES The narrative materials and the texts of this episode have been drawn by the following extracts from the Gospel: Matthew. 9, 1-8; 14, 12; Mark. 2, 1-12; Luke. 5, 17-26; John. 4, 1-44; |
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Ep.10 BLESSED BE YOU A great multitude of people are travelling to hear Jesus on the slopes of a mountain. They all want to hear about the Kingdom of God, some with noble intentions, others less so. In a makeshift camp, Jesus tells the story of the wealthy man, Itamar, and the poor man, Lazarus. On the road to the meeting place, Jesus cures a leper. Then he speaks to a large crowd, announcing the principles of his Kingdom: blessed are the poor, the merciful, the persecuted... REFERENCES Inspirations for the storyline and the texts of this episode have been drawn from the following sections of the Gospel: Matthew. 5, 1-12; 8, 1-4; Mark. 1, 40-45; Luke. 5, 12-16; 6, 20-49; 16, 19-31. |
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Ep.11 THE MASTER-STORY TELLER Drawing inspiration from the young couple unable to pay their gaming debts seized by a band of robbers, who want to sell them as slaves at the market in Damascus, Jesus tells the youngster’s father the parable of the prodigal son. The man, who at first is unwilling to listen to reason, finally agrees to pay off the debt owed by his son, thereby freeing him. REFERENCES The inspiration for the storyline and the texts of this episode have been drawn from the following sections of the Gospel: Luke. 15, 11-32. |
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Ep.12 THE NEW LAW At Capernaum, Jesus heals the servant of Cornelius, a centurion. Later, in a village synagogue, he is present during a dispute about the non-payment of a debt. He outlines the principles of his new law: love your neighbour, do not judge others, remove the beam from your own eye before pointing out the mote in your neighbour’s eye... Finally, Jesus shows how you can do good even on the Sabbath. REFERENCES The narrative material and the texts of this episode have been drawn by the following extracts from the Gospel: Matthew. 8, 5; 12, 11-12; Luke. 7, 1-10; 6, 27-42; 9, 57-62; John. 4, 46-54. |
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Ep.13 FISHERS OF MEN The fishermen on the sea of Galilee are becoming desperate: they have caught nothing over the last month. Although they continue to fish, they are depressed, and all their efforts are in vain. Jesus persuades Simon and his fellow fishermen to go out again in their boat, and he accompanies them. Their nets fill up with the biggest catch anybody can remember. After this catch, Simon, Andrew, James and John will abandon their boats and nets in order to follow Jesus, who will make them fishers of men. REFERENCES The inspiration for the storyline and the texts of this episode have been drawn from the following sections of the Gospel: Matthew. 4,18-22; Mark.1,16-20; Luke. 5,4-10. |
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Ep.14 GO FORTH IN MY NAME Jesus and his disciples cross the lake of Genezareth by boat. A violent storm breaks out. Jesus is sleeping, and his disciples, terrified, wake him up. Jesus then calms the waters with a simple gesture. When they reach the other side of the lake, a poor man, possessed by demons, comes up to them. Jesus heals him, transferring the evil spirits to a herd of swine, which run into the waters and drown. Returning to Capernaum, Jesus calls twelve of his disciples and sends them out to announce the word in His name. REFERENCES Inspiration for the narrative material and the texts of this episode have been drawn from the following sections of the Gospel: Matthew. 8, 23-34; 10, 1-42; Mark. 3, 13-19; 4, 35-41; 5, 1-20; 6, 7-11; Luke. 8, 22-39; 9, 1-6. |
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Ep.15 WHO WAS THAT MAN? Herod is worried about what Jesus is getting up to, and is afraid that John the Baptist has come back to life. Jesus talks about the Kingdom of Heaven, telling parables and how people can reach this Kingdom. In Jericho Zacchaeus, the chief of the publicans, wants to see him. Jesus converts him too... REFERENCES Inspiration for the narrative material and the texts of this episode have been drawn from the following sections of the Gospel: Matthew. 14, 1-2; 22, 1-14; 25, 14-30; Mark. 6, 14-16; Luke. 9, 7-9; 14, 7-24; 19, 1-27. |
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Ep.16 THE NEW KINGDOM The disciples are returning from a mission and meet Jesus who is preaching near the lake at Capernaum. Jesus is telling parables to explain the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven. The Master then goes off with the disciples to a quieter place, but is followed by the crowd. When evening comes, there is the problem of feeding the people gathered : with only five loaves of bread and two fishes, Jesus feeds more than five thousand people. The morning after,Jesus warns listeners not to seek material bread but spiritual bread, and he calls Himselfs the living bread, the bread of life. His listeners are scandalised by these words and many go away. Only the disciples remain: “Lord, who shall we go to, when only you have the words of eternal life...”. REFERENCES Inspiration for the narrative material and the texts of this episode have been drawn from the following sections of the Gospel: Matthew. 13, 3-30; 13, 36-43; 14, 13-21; Mark. 4, 1-20; 6, 30-44; Luke. 8-4-15;9,10-17; John. 6, 1-15; 6, 22. |
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Ep.17 THE BLIND CAN SEE Achim wants to repudiate his wife because she has sold his doves in an attempt to stop him losing the money from the sale in dice games. After having taught “The Lord’s Prayer” to his apostles, Jesus is questioned by the Scribes and Pharisees on the lawfulness of repudiating one’s wife and on the laws of Moses. Achim, who is among those listening, realizes that he is mistaken and decides not to repudiate his wife after all. Afterwards, at Betsaida,Jesus restores the sight to a man who has been blind from birth, leading to more controversy among the Pharisees. They are the ones who are really blind because they have eyes but do not see, and think that they are the holders of the truth... REFERENCES The narrative material and the texts of this episode have been drawn by the following extracts from the Gospel: Matthew. 5, 17-48; 6, 5-15; 15, 1-11; 19, 1-9; Mark. 7, 1-23; 10, 1-16; Luke. 11, 1-4; 16, 18; 18, 15-17; John. 9, 1-41. |
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Ep.18 LAZARUS! Jesus is the guest of Martha and Mary in Bethany. The brother of the two women, Lazarus, is travelling abroad. He is ill, and is carried home dying. The sisters then send for Jesus, who in the meantime has departed. Jesus cannot be found, and Lazarus dies. Jesus arrives in Bethany four days later. He goes to Lazarus’ tomb and raises him from the death. The Pharisees, concerned that people will follow Jesus, decide to be on the lookout and arrest Jesus when the first opportunity arises. The Easter celebration is approaching. Jesus is sure to go to Jerusalem... REFERENCES The inspiration for the narrative material and the texts of this episode have been drawn from the following sections of the Gospel: Matthew. 26, 6-13; Mark.14, 1-9; Luke. 10, 38-42; 11, 5-13; John. 11, 1-57; 12, 1-11. |
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Ep.19 TRIUMPH IN JERUSALEM Easter is only a few days away. Jesus makes his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, while the Sanhedrin keeps open a watchful eye for the first possible occasion to arrest him. At the Temple, the priests and Pharisees try to trap him with insidious questions. Then Jesus goes into the Temple to pray, and as he leaves, he throws out the merchants who crowd the Court of the Gentiles and restores the Temple to its function as a place of prayer. A riot breaks out and the guards intervene, but Jesus is already far from the scene, and is about to leave the city. REFERENCES The narrative material and the texts of this episode have been drawn by the following extracts from the Gospel: Matthew. 20, 17-19; 21, 1-13; 22, 15-22/34-38; 23, 1-39; Mark. 10, 32-34; 11, 1-10/15,19; 12, 13-17/28-34/38-44; Luke. 10, 25-28; 13, 34-35; 18, 31-34; 19, 28-48; 20, 20-26/45-47; 21, 1-4. John. 12,12-36. |
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Ep.20 SUPPER IN THE NIGHT OF THE BETRAYAL It’s holiday time in Jerusalem because Easter is near. Merchants, pilgrims, beggars are coming from everywhere. Jesus and his disciples arrive too. The disciples should find a house where they can prepare the Easter banquet. Meanwhile, Judas sells Jesus to the Sanhedrin, for thirty silver coins. During the supper, when Jesus washes his apostles’ feet and gives them his body and blood as food, there’s the evident prediction of what is going to happen... REFERENCES The narrative materials and the texts of this episode have been drawn from the following passages of the Gospel: Matthew. 26, 14-30; Mark. 14, 10-26; Luke. 22, 1-23; John. 13, 1-30. |
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Ep.21 PETER’S COURAGE Jesus crosses Cedron Valley and reaches an olive-yard on the Mount of Olives,called Gethsemane with his disciples, and withdraws to pray to his Father. Judas, accompanied by armed guards of the Temple, betrays him with a kiss and has him arrested. Jesus is taken to Caiaphas’ palace to be put to trial. Peter and John follow him at a distance. John goes into the hall in which the trial is to take place, while Peter waits outside in the courtyard. On three occasions, questioned by those waiting to hear the verdict, Peter denies ever having known Jesus. And as foretold by his Master, the cockerel crows, heralding dawn. Peter runs off, tortured by regret. REFERENCES The narrative material and the texts of this episode have been drawn from the following extracts of the Gospel: Matthew. 26, 30-58; 26, 69-75; Mark. 14, 26-54; 14, 66-72; Luke. 22, 39-62; John. 18, 1-18; 18, 25-27. |
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Ep.22 JESUS’S TRIAL The trial of Jesus - the verdict of which is a foregone conclusion, because the heads of the Sanhedrin have already made up their minds about his fate. Jesus is taken to the Roman Procurator, Pontius Pilate, who is unwilling to make a decision and sends him to Herod, who mocks him and sends him back to Pilate to be condemned. In the meantime, Judas, eaten by remorse, hands back the thirty pieces of silver and kills himselfs. Pilate makes a last attempt to save Jesus, calling upon the crowd: it is the custom to free a prisoner for Easter. The mob chooses Barabbas. Jesus is condemned, and Pilate washes his hands... REFERENCES The narrative material and the texts of this episode have been drawn by the following extracts from the Gospel: Matthew. 26, 57-68; 27, 1-26; Mark. 14, 53-65; 15, 1-15; Luke. 22, 66-71; 23, 1-25; John. 18, 28-40. |
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Ep.23 THE FINAL MOMENTS We follow Jesus’ journey to the Golgotha hill, his crucifixion and death through the eyes of a witness, the Roman Nasica. Jesus’ friends grieve near the cross, but the Pharisees who had him condemned are rejoicing. REFERENCES Inspiration for the narrative material and the texts of this episode have been drawn from the following sections of the Gospel: Matthew. 27, 27-56; Mark. 15, 16-41; Luke. 23, 26-49; John. 19, 17-37. |
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Ep.24 THE TOMB IS EMPTY Jesus has just died on the cross. His followers are being hunted down in Jerusalem. Joseph of Arithmea,a rich disciple who belonged to Sanhedrin but was against their decision, organizes Jesus’ burial with the help of Nicodemus,a Pharisee. The Pharisees, to be on the safe side, brick up the burial chamber. But something happens during the night... ... At dawn the day after, three women,Mary Magdalene,Mary of James and Salome,go to the burial site to anoint Jesus’ body,but it is not there. The chamber is empty. REFERENCES Inspiration for the narrative material and the texts of this episode have been drawn from the following sections of the Gospel: Matthew. 27, 57-66; 28, 1-10; Mark. 15, 42-47; 16, 1-8; Luke. 23, 50-56; 24, 1-8; John. 19, 38-42; 20, 1-17. |
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Ep.25 MARANA-THA' Mary Magdalene, having seen Jesus alive once more, runs to tell the disciples, but they do not believe her. Peter and John rush to the sepulchre, but they find the tomb empty. The elderly priests of the Sanhedrin give money to the guards so that they might say Jesus’ tomb was broken into by his disciples. Meanwhile, two disciples ,Cleopa and another, going on foot from Jerusalem to a village called Emmaus, they meet the Lord on the way. They return to Jerusalem to tell it to the Apostles. After Jesus appears to the Apostles as well and only Thomas, who was absent, has doubts. But Jesus appears again to the Apostles, this time in the presence of Thomas, and arranges to meet up with them in Galilee. One morning, after a night’s fishing, Jesus appears to his disciples while they are off. After having eaten with them, Jesus takes his leave, sending them to preach the Good News to all Nations of the Earth. REFERENCES Inspiration for the narrative material and the texts of this episode have been drawn from the following sections of the Gospel: Luke. 24,13-19. |
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Ep.26 THE ADVENTURE OF FIRST CHRISTIANS Fifty days after the Easter celebrations, Pentecost (Shabu’ot) is celebrated in Jerusalem. The eleven apostles and a hundred or so of Jesus’ disciples meet for the occasion at Mark’s house. They all elect Matthias to occupy the place left vacant by Judas. Anxiety about the future - combined with the expectancy of Jesus’ return - is dispelled by a prodigious event: the Holy Spirit descends on Mark’s house and enters the Apostles, who are filled with renewed vigour. They cast aside their fears and leave their hideaway to begin preaching. On that same day, Peter and the other Apostles baptise hundreds of people in the stream called Cedron. Among these is a young man who begins to tell the story of Jesus’ disciples, the spread of his word in the world, the conversion and apostolate of Saul, his journey to Rome... REFERENCES Inspiration for the narrative material and the texts of this episode have been drawn from the following chapters of the Acts of the Apostles. Acts 1, 13 ; Acts 2, 1-40; Acts 3, 1-26; Acts 4, 1-23; Acts 5, 34-42; Acts 7, 51-60; Acts 9, 1-9; Acts 17, 22-31. |
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