HARD HEARING - One Bread, One Body, 01/14/2026

Wednesday, January 14, 2026,

1 Samuel 3:1-10, 19-20
Psalm 40:2, 5, 7-10
Mark 1:29-39

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HARD HEARING
"Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening." —1 Samuel 3:9

It is extremely important for us to hear God. The Lord has promised: “Had they stood in My council, and did they but proclaim to My people My words, they would have brought them back from evil ways and from their wicked deeds” (Jer 23:22). By hearing God, we can change the world, for His words are “living and effective” (Heb 4:12).

However, it is extremely difficult for us to hear God because:

• of our fallen nature,
• many of us are “not familiar with the Lord” (1 Sm 3:7),
• “a revelation of the Lord” is “uncommon and vision infrequent” in our culture of death (1 Sm 3:1), and
• even leaders of the Church are susceptible to being spiritually asleep and blind so that they don’t help us (see 1 Sm 3:2).

Nevertheless, the Lord got through to Samuel and thereby converted “the whole Israelite population” (1 Sm 7:2). Although we may be as confused as the child Samuel, the Lord in His mercy continues to open the ears of the spiritually deaf. There is hope not only because God speaks, but also because He removes the many, formidable obstacles to hearing Him.

Therefore, if you don’t hear God, admit it. Repent of your part in this. Get as much help from the Church as you can. Ask God to speak to you. Read the teachings of the Church, especially the Scriptures. Be quiet. Simplify your life. Try to hear God. God will speak to your heart in “a still small voice” (1 Kgs 19:12, RSV-CE).

Prayer: Father, open my ears that I may hear.

Promise: Jesus "went into their synagogues preaching the good news and expelling demons." —Mk 1:39

Praise: Melanie frequently had let the TV play to fill the silent void in her house. When Jesus came into her life in a greater fullness, she turned off her TV and found peace and comfort in His presence alone.



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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant the "Nihil Obstat" ("Permission to Publish") for "One Bread, One Body."

"In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from December 1, 2025, through January 30, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 7, 2025"

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.

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You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB eBook edition, and an online donation form at http://www.presentationministries.com/series/obob

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ORDINARY AND NEW - One Bread, One Body, 01/13/2026

Tuesday, January 13, 2026, St. Hilary

1 Samuel 1:9-20
1 Samuel 2:1, 4-8
Mark 1:21-28

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ORDINARY AND NEW
"A completely new teaching..." —Mark 1:27

We begin the portion of the Church year called “Ordinary Time,” which means “ordered time” rather than “humdrum time.” Today’s Eucharistic readings proclaim that “ordinary” life in the Lord is new, exciting, and fulfilling. For example, the citizens of Capernaum were “amazed” at Jesus and His “completely new teaching in a spirit of authority” (Mk 1:27). In today’s first reading, Hannah and Elkanah could not conceive a child, but then they rejoiced (1 Sm 2:1ff) at the new life she conceived (1 Sm 1:20).

Perhaps you’ve suffered through a long, dry spell, and this year looks like more of the same. However, this ordinary time is a time for a new beginning, a fresh start. The Lord declares: “Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not; see, I am doing something new!” (Is 43:18-19)

God is the Creator, and He is always creating anew. The Spirit renews, that is, makes new, the earth (Ps 104:30). Be open to God’s “completely new” works this year in your parenting, marriage, childbearing, couple or family prayer, vocation, job performance, personal holiness, Christian community, evangelization, studies, etc. This is the year to step out in faith and live “the radical newness of” our Baptism (Lay Members of Christ’s Faithful People, Pope St. John Paul II, 10).

Jesus says: “See, I make all things new!” (Rv 21:5) Accept Jesus as Lord of your life and be “a new creation” in Him (2 Cor 5:17). “All that matters is that one is created anew” (Gal 6:15).

Prayer: Father, I "lay aside" my old way of life and my "old self," and "put on that new" self You give me (Eph 4:22, 24).

Promise: "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of Him." —1 Sm 1:17

Praise: St. Hilary had great zeal to defend the true Catholic faith. As a result of his teaching and his perseverance, all of Gaul (France) was freed from heretical teaching.

(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(Join us Oct. 18-19 for a study of the Gospel of Mark. This is a great way to rekindle your love, knowledge and commitment to the Lord. Call 513-373-2397 or see www.presentationministries.com.)

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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant the "Nihil Obstat" ("Permission to Publish") for "One Bread, One Body."

"In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from December 1, 2025, through January 30, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 7, 2025"

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.

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You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB eBook edition, and an online donation form at http://www.presentationministries.com/series/obob

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THE YEAR OF REPENTANCE, FRUITFULNESS, AND JOY - One Bread, One Body, 01/12/2026

Monday, January 12, 2026, St. Marguerite Bourgeoys (Canada)

1 Samuel 1:1-8
Psalm 116:12-19
Mark 1:14-20

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THE YEAR OF REPENTANCE, FRUITFULNESS, AND JOY
"Hannah, why do you weep, and why do you refuse to eat? Why do you grieve?" —1 Samuel 1:8

As we begin the new year, the Lord commands us to be “fishers of men” and women (Mk 1:17). We are to be fruitful in leading others to Christ (see Jn 15:5). However, many of us were not very fruitful in 2025 and have not changed anything for 2026. We may be spiritually barren as Hannah was physically barren.

If we don’t repent and begin to share our love for Jesus with other people, we may become like Hannah in other ways. In addition to being barren, Hannah was so despondent she refused to eat (1 Sm 1:7). We likewise may lose our joy (see Ps 51:14) and become spiritually anorexic if we don’t bear fruit evangelically. Many Christians today are noticeably sad. Young people notice this and see church as a dead, joyless place. Many Christians go to church only to fulfill their “Sunday obligation.” They don’t understand the Mass is a sacrifice. They’re not offering their “bodies as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God” (Rm 12:1). They aren’t hungry for the spiritual nourishment of God’s Word and Holy Communion.

We can be like Hannah in more ways than one. We must repent, commit our lives to Jesus, and share our faith. Then we will come to life.

Prayer: Father, may I reap the greatest harvest this year.

Promise: "This is the time of fulfillment. The reign of God is at hand! Reform your lives and believe in the gospel!" —Mk 1:15

Praise: At the age of sixty-nine, St. Marguerite walked some one-hundred and sixty miles from Montreal to Quebec City to found a community of sisters at her bishop's request.

(For a related teaching on Spiritual Anorexia, listen to, download or order our AV 101-1 or DVD 101 on our website.)

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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant the "Nihil Obstat" ("Permission to Publish") for "One Bread, One Body."

"In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from December 1, 2025, through January 30, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 7, 2025"

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.

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You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB eBook edition, and an online donation form at http://www.presentationministries.com/series/obob

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IGNITION - One Bread, One Body, 01/11/2026

Sunday, January 11, 2026, Baptism of the Lord

Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7
Acts 10:34-38
Psalm 29:1-4, 9-10
Matthew 3:13-17
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IGNITION
"After Jesus was baptized, He came directly out of the water. Suddenly the sky opened." —Matthew 3:16

Jesus was thirty years old (Lk 3:23) when He was baptized in the River Jordan. His life was thirty years in the making, and He hadn’t even left home. He hadn’t gathered disciples or done great works. He was unknown and seemed to have hardly begun to fulfill the Father’s plan for His life.

Then Jesus came to the Jordan River and was baptized by St. John the Baptizer. “Suddenly the sky opened and He saw the Spirit of God descend like a dove and hover over Him. With that, a voice from the heavens said, ‘This is My beloved Son. My favor rests on Him’ ” (Mt 3:16-17). After being on the launching pad for thirty years, Jesus took off like a rocket. He was burning to light a fire on the earth (Lk 12:49). Jesus exploded into the three greatest years of ministry in history. He ran even to His death on Calvary and His Resurrection from the dead (see Phil 2:8-11).

God the Father has a great plan for you, His beloved son or daughter. Are you still on the launching pad? Are you dawdling? On this last day of Christmas, renew your Baptism; hear your Father’s voice speaking of His love for you; explode into a year of grace; fulfill the Father’s plan for your life.

Prayer: Father, speak to me. Affirm Your love for me again and again.

Promise: "God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good works and healing all who were in the grip of the devil, and God was with Him." —Acts 10:38

Praise: "The voice of the Lord is mighty; the voice of the Lord is majestic" (Ps 29:4). "In His temple all say, 'Glory!' " (Ps 29:9)

(For a related teaching on Evangelization, listen to, download or order our AV 59-1 or DVD 59 on our website.)

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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant the "Nihil Obstat" ("Permission to Publish") for "One Bread, One Body."

"In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from December 1, 2025, through January 30, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 7, 2025""In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from December 1, 2025, through January 30, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 7, 2025"

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.

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You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB eBook edition, and an online donation form at http://www.presentationministries.com/series/obob

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“YOU ASKED FOR IT” - One Bread, One Body, 01/10/2026

Saturday, January 10, 2026,

1 John 5:14-21
Psalm 149:1-6, 9
John 3:22-30

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"YOU ASKED FOR IT"
"What we have asked Him for is ours." —1 John 5:15

Tomorrow is the last day of the Christmas season. The Lord has surprised us once again by loving us more this Christmas than we ever dreamed possible. But it’s not over yet. As great as Christmas has been, the Lord may well have been saving the best till last (see Jn 2:10). He will bring Christmas to a glorious conclusion, but we must ask to receive the fullness of His love (Mt 7:7).

“We have this confidence in God: that He hears us whenever we ask for anything according to His will. And since we know that He hears us whenever we ask, we know that what we have asked Him for is ours” (1 Jn 5:14-15).

Ask the Father for the repentance and salvation of every member of your family. Ask Jesus to increase in your life while you decrease (Jn 3:30). Ask to hear Jesus’ voice and to be overjoyed in the hearing (Jn 3:29). Intercede for those in authority to lead godly lives and make decisions according to God’s will (1 Tm 2:1-2). Pray with Jesus for all to be one as He and the Father are One (Jn 17:21). Most of all, pray for all “to be saved and come to know the truth” (1 Tm 2:4). We haven’t yet opened up our best Christmas presents. Ask and open.

Prayer: Father, I ask for the Holy Spirit (Lk 11:13).

Promise: "No one can lay hold on anything unless it is given him from on high." —Jn 3:27

Praise: Juan gave One Bread, One Body to his stern boss for years with no noticeable results. One month, Juan forgot to give his boss a copy. The boss asked for the book since he had been faithfully reading it.

(For a related teaching on the Ten Commandments of Intercession, view, download or order our leaflet on our website.)

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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant the "Nihil Obstat" ("Permission to Publish") for "One Bread, One Body."

"In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from December 1, 2025, through January 30, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 7, 2025"

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.

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You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB eBook edition, and an online donation form at http://www.presentationministries.com/series/obob

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JESUS IS LIFE - One Bread, One Body, 01/09/2026

Friday, January 9, 2026,

1 John 5:5-13
Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20
Luke 5:12-16

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JESUS IS LIFE
"The testimony is this: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son." —1 John 5:11

When God gave us life, He didn’t give us an elixir, a potion, a pill, guaranteed health, a fountain of youth, or an unlimited supply of money. Instead, He gave us Jesus. God sent Jesus the Life into the world, and “this Life became visible” (1 Jn 1:2).

Jesus is “the Resurrection and the Life” (Jn 11:25). He is “the Way, and the Truth, and the Life” (Jn 14:6). He is the “Bread of Life” (Jn 6:35) and “the Word of Life” (1 Jn 1:1). To us, “ ‘life’ means Christ” (Phil 1:21). Jesus, the Life, testifies: “I came that they might have life and have it to the full” (Jn 10:10). When you believe that Jesus is God, you “have life in His name” (Jn 20:31; see also Jn 3:15-16).

Whoever is in Jesus finds life (Jn 1:4). “Whoever possesses the Son possesses life; whoever does not possess the Son of God does not possess life. I have written this to you to make you realize that you possess eternal life — you who believe in the name of the Son of God” (1 Jn 5:12-13).

Jesus bluntly states the problem: “You are unwilling to come to Me to possess that life” (Jn 5:40). Many want life, but not from Jesus. We live in a culture of death. We cannot change a culture of death into a civilization of life except through Jesus, Who is Life and Who gives life. Social programs, medical skill, or advanced technology alone won’t give life. Life is only found in Jesus. Scripture says: “I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life” (Dt 30:19). Choose Jesus.

Prayer: Jesus, You have the Food and words of eternal life (Jn 6:51, 68). I will come directly to You for life (Mt 11:28).

Promise: "Who, then, is conqueror of the world? The one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." —1 Jn 5:5

Praise: Vanessa's car was totaled in a highway accident, but she walked away praising the Lord.

(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(Join us Oct. 18-19 for a study of the Gospel of Mark. This is a great way to rekindle your love, knowledge and commitment to the Lord. Call 513-373-2397 or see www.presentationministries.com.)

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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant the "Nihil Obstat" ("Permission to Publish") for "One Bread, One Body."

"In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from December 1, 2025, through January 30, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 7, 2025"

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.

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You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB eBook edition, and an online donation form at http://www.presentationministries.com/series/obob

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Copyright © Presentation Ministries

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CHRISTMAS IN THE SPIRIT - One Bread, One Body, 01/08/2026

Thursday, January 8, 2026,

1 John 4:19—5:4
Psalm 72:1-2, 14-15, 17
Luke 4:14-22

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CHRISTMAS IN THE SPIRIT
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me; therefore He has anointed Me." —Luke 4:18

We have four more days in the Christmas season. If we have the true Christmas Spirit, Who is the Holy Spirit, we are bringing the Good News of Jesus to the poor (Lk 4:18). That was the original meaning of giving Christmas cards. In the Christmas Spirit, we are proclaiming liberty to captives (Lk 4:18). The Christmas season should not be a time of enslaving, compulsive behavior and indulgence but the beginning of a year of life and freedom in Jesus. “Remember that you have been called to live in freedom — but not a freedom that gives free rein to the flesh” (Gal 5:13).

If Christ is having His way this Christmas, we are opening the eyes of the blind both physically and spiritually (Lk 4:18). We have let the Lord enlighten our innermost vision (Eph 1:18), and we can see more clearly and completely His plan of salvation and our part in it during 2026. If we have the true Christmas Spirit, we are releasing prisoners by calling ourselves and inviting others to repent and break out of the captivity of sin (Lk 4:18). We are calling people to total commitment to Jesus, for if we let Jesus set us free we are free indeed (Jn 8:36).

This freeing of ourselves and others is what it means to celebrate Christmas. A Christmas season in the Holy Spirit is not an escape from reality but the restoration of reality into the image and likeness of the Christ of Christmas.

Prayer: Father, give me Christmas by Your standards.

Promise: "Everyone begotten of God conquers the world, and the power that has conquered the world is this faith of ours." —1 Jn 5:4

Praise: Through the power of Jesus, Robert is now celebrating a twentieth year of sobriety.

(For a related teaching on Living In Reality, view, download or order our booklet on our website.)

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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant the "Nihil Obstat" ("Permission to Publish") for "One Bread, One Body."

"In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from December 1, 2025, through January 30, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 7, 2025"

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.

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You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB eBook edition, and an online donation form at http://www.presentationministries.com/series/obob

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Copyright © Presentation Ministries

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