“I WISH TO KNOW CHRIST” (Phil 3:10) - One Bread, One Body, 05/03/2024

Friday, May 3, 2024, Sts. Philip & James

1 Corinthians 15:1-8
Psalm 19:2-5
John 14:6-14

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"I WISH TO KNOW CHRIST" (Phil 3:10)
" 'Philip,' Jesus replied, 'after I have been with you all this time, you still do not know Me?' " —John 14:9

The apostle Philip lived, ate, drank, slept, and traveled with Jesus. After three years, Jesus had to conclude that St. Philip still did not know Him (Jn 14:9).

After three similar years, the apostle Peter admitted this same fact. Peter looked at Jesus standing bound and accused from across the courtyard and said: “I do not even know the Man!” (Mt 26:74) While it is true that St. Peter spoke words of cowardice, it’s also important to realize that Peter really didn’t know Jesus. He knew Jesus as Teacher, Master, and Miracle-Worker, but Peter did not know Jesus, the Suffering-Servant.

If the apostles didn’t know Him, then how can we know Him? “The way we can be sure of our knowledge of Him is to keep His commandments” (1 Jn 2:3). If we tell ourselves, “ ‘I have known Him,’ without keeping His commandments,” we are self-deceived (1 Jn 2:4).

We need to know His commandments in order to obey them. Consequently, we need to spend time reading His Word and making it our home (Jn 8:31). In the words of St. Jerome: “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 133).

We will one day find ourselves telling Jesus all the ways we knew Him (Mt 7:22; Lk 13:26). Yet if we don’t show that we knew Jesus by keeping His commandments, His assessment of us will be: “I never knew You” (Mt 7:23).

Prayer: Jesus, I wish to know You, Your Word, the power flowing from Your Resurrection, and how to share in Your sufferings by being formed into the pattern of Your death (Phil 3:10).

Promise: Jesus "rose on the third day...He was seen by Cephas, then by the Twelve." —1 Cor 15:4-5

Praise: After receiving the Holy Spirit in the upper room, both Sts. Philip and James followed their Master even unto death.

(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)

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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 April 1, 2024, through May 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio June 22, 2023"

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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MEETING(S) OF THE MINDS - One Bread, One Body, 05/02/2024

Thursday, May 2, 2024, St. Athanasius

Acts 15:7-21
Psalm 96:1-3, 10
John 15:9-11

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MEETING(S) OF THE MINDS
"After much discussion, Peter took the floor." —Acts 15:7

This meeting of the leaders of the early church in Jerusalem was one of the most important in history. This is not because they ruled against the necessity of circumcision for Gentile Christians but because they removed an obstacle to world evangelization. The result of the meeting was that “Paul and Barnabas continued in Antioch, along with many others, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord” (Acts 15:35).

Furthering evangelization is the criterion by which we judge the value of any meeting. Does the meeting of your church’s parish council result in more powerful evangelization? Are people sent out to evangelize from your Sunday Masses? Do your family gatherings proclaim the Good News of Jesus? Why do you have prayer meetings, socials, business meetings, fellowships, and committee meetings? All meetings must have an evangelistic dimension or there’s no reason for their existence. Pope St. Paul VI asserted that the Church “exists in order to evangelize” (Evangelii Nuntiandi, 14).

Jesus did not say: “Go, make buildings, churches, schools, and activities.” He said: “Go...make disciples” (Mt 28:19).

Prayer: Jesus, may I win over to You as many as possible, no matter what it takes (1 Cor 9:19).

Promise: "As the Father has loved Me, so I have loved you." —Jn 15:9

Praise: St. Athanasius defended the Truth against Arianism and was martyred after several exiles.

(For a related teaching on Mission Impossible, view, order or download our leaflet or listen to, download or order our CD 46-1 or DVD 46 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 April 1, 2024, through May 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio June 22, 2023"

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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JESUS OR NOTHING - One Bread, One Body, 05/01/2024

Wednesday, May 1, 2024, St. Joseph the Worker

Acts 15:1-6
Psalm 122:1-5
John 15:1-8

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JESUS OR NOTHING
"Apart from Me you can do nothing." —John 15:5

Business leaders understand well the concept of cutting unprofitable activities out of the business process. Sports coaches and athletic trainers also understand cutting out practice drills and plays which are not productive. Farmers don’t waste their limited time on activities which do not increase the yield of crops, flock, or herd. So, Jesus’ teaching on disposing of the branches which don’t bear fruit is well understood by many (Jn 15:6).

What is not as well understood in our culture is the weakness of the human will without the strength of the Lord. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak (see Rm 7:18). On our own, our endurance will eventually fade. Only by remaining in Jesus can we bear fruit for Him (Jn 15:4-5). Outside of Jesus, we will ultimately wither and fade (Jn 15:6).

Secular society teaches that the human spirit will triumph on its own effort. It proclaims that education will make you successful. Jesus, on the other hand, states bluntly, “Apart from Me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5). Jesus couldn’t make the message any clearer: We either remain in Jesus or wither (Jn 15:4-6).

Prayer: Father, may I never treat Your gracious gift of Your Son Jesus as meaningless (Gal 2:21). I want to spend my life as a Spirit-filled, fruitful disciple.

Promise: "Their story caused great joy among the brothers." —Acts 15:3

Praise: St. Joseph helped dignify labor by serving Jesus daily through his workmanship.

(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(Our retreat, Prophecy and Discernment, offered on May 24-25, will equip you to navigate the world we live in. Call 513-373-2397 or see www.presentationministries.com to register.)

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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 April 1, 2024, through May 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio June 22, 2023"

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 OR NOTHING - One Bread, One Body, 05/01/2024

Wednesday, May 1, 2024, St. Joseph the Worker

Acts 15:1-6
Psalm 122:1-5
John 15:1-8

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JESUS OR NOTHING
"Apart from Me you can do nothing." —John 15:5

Business leaders understand well the concept of cutting unprofitable activities out of the business process. Sports coaches and athletic trainers also understand cutting out practice drills and plays which are not productive. Farmers don’t waste their limited time on activities which do not increase the yield of crops, flock, or herd. So, Jesus’ teaching on disposing of the branches which don’t bear fruit is well understood by many (Jn 15:6).

What is not as well understood in our culture is the weakness of the human will without the strength of the Lord. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak (see Rm 7:18). On our own, our endurance will eventually fade. Only by remaining in Jesus can we bear fruit for Him (Jn 15:4-5). Outside of Jesus, we will ultimately wither and fade (Jn 15:6).

Secular society teaches that the human spirit will triumph on its own effort. It proclaims that education will make you successful. Jesus, on the other hand, states bluntly, “Apart from Me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5). Jesus couldn’t make the message any clearer: We either remain in Jesus or wither (Jn 15:4-6).

Prayer: Father, may I never treat Your gracious gift of Your Son Jesus as meaningless (Gal 2:21). I want to spend my life as a Spirit-filled, fruitful disciple.

Promise: "Their story caused great joy among the brothers." —Acts 15:3

Praise: St. Joseph helped dignify labor by serving Jesus daily through his workmanship.

(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(Our retreat, Prophecy and Discernment, offered on May 24-25, will equip you to navigate the world we live in. Call 513-373-2397 or see www.presentationministries.com to register.)

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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 April 1, 2024, through May 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio June 22, 2023"

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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“NO OTHER GODS” - One Bread, One Body, 04/29/2024

Monday, April 29, 2024, St. Catherine of Siena

Acts 14:5-18
Psalm 115:1-4, 15-16
John 14:21-26

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"NO OTHER GODS"
"They shouted frantically, 'We are only men, human like you.' "—Acts 14:15

The first and most basic temptations are to try to be like gods (Gn 3:5), or even to try to be gods. For example, Peter refused to be treated like a god (Acts 10:26), while Herod accepted the title “god” (Acts 12:22-23). Herod, therefore, “died eaten by worms” (Acts 12:23). When Sts. Paul and Barnabas heard the crowd calling them gods by the names of “Hermes” and “Zeus,” they realized how dangerous this temptation was. “They tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd” in order to correct the people’s mistaken attribution of divinity to them (Acts 14:14-15). Contrary to what some cults teach, we are not gods.

Rather than each of us becoming one of the gods, God became one of us. He became a man. Instead of making us man-gods, He became the God-Man. In this way, we don’t become God, but we can have a share in His divine nature (2 Pt 1:4) and “become the very holiness of God” (2 Cor 5:21). We can even have God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, dwell within us (Jn 14:23). We are not gods; we are tabernacles and temples of God (1 Cor 6:19).

Be yourself. Be a human being transformed by the indwelling God.

Prayer: Father, with power may I bear witness for Your risen Son (see Acts 4:33).

Promise: "This much have I told you while I was still with you; the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit Whom the Father will send in My name, will instruct you in everything, and remind you of all that I told you." —Jn 14:25-26

Praise: St. Catherine of Siena called the triune God "a Satisfying Food, for You are sweetness and in You there is no taste of bitterness."

(For a related teaching on Spiritual Adultery, listen to, download or order our CD 53-1 or DVD 53 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 April 1, 2024, through May 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio June 22, 2023"

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 PEACE OF THE RESURRECTION - One Bread, One Body, 04/28/2024

Sunday, April 28, 2024, Fifth Sunday of Easter

Acts 9:26-31
1 John 3:18-24
Psalm 22:26-28, 30-32
John 15:1-8
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THE PEACE OF THE RESURRECTION
"The Church was at peace." —Acts 9:31

When the risen Jesus met the women leaving the tomb, He gave the customary Jewish greeting, “Shalom” (Peace) (Mt 28:9). When the risen Jesus met the apostles on the first Resurrection evening, He again said “Shalom” (Peace) (Jn 20:19, 21). Likewise, Jesus wants to give us peace for an Easter present.

Jesus left us peace in His last will and testament. He promised: “ ‘Peace’ is My farewell to you, My peace is My gift to you; I do not give it to you as the world gives peace” (Jn 14:27). His peace is not based on circumstances. His peace can be present even at the funeral home or hospital, in divorce or rejection, and in painful suffering. Jesus wants us to be “at peace before Him no matter what our consciences may charge us with” (1 Jn 3:19-20). Even if we still feel guilty after confessing our sins because of a scrupulous conscience, Jesus will give us a peace we never dreamed possible, a peace “beyond all understanding” (Phil 4:7).

Jesus is our Peace (Eph 2:14). When we surrender to Him by doing His will instead of ours (see Mt 26:39), we make peace. When we surrender in the “battle of wills” between the Lord’s will and ours, we win peace. Win peace, make peace, surrender to Jesus Who is our Peace.

Prayer: Father, may I be a peacemaker (see Mt 5:9) by denying myself and obeying You.

Promise: "I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who lives in Me and I in him, will produce abundantly, for apart from Me you can do nothing." —Jn 15:5

Praise: Praise You, risen Jesus, Victor over death. "All the families of the nations shall bow down before" You (Ps 22:28).

(For a related teaching on Jesus and Peace, listen to, download or order our CD 42-1 or DVD 42 on our website.)For a related teaching on Jesus and Peace, listen to, download or order our CD 42-1 or DVD 42 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 April 1, 2024, through May 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio June 22, 2023"

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 COST OF PENTECOST IS THE _____ - One Bread, One Body, 04/27/2024

Saturday, April 27, 2024,

Acts 13:44-52
Psalm 98:1-4
John 14:7-14

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THE COST OF PENTECOST IS THE _____
"The disciples could not but be filled with joy and the Holy Spirit." —Acts 13:52

In thirteen days, we will begin praying the Pentecost Novena. The Lord intends to give us a renewal of our Baptisms and Confirmations that will truly change the world. In the Holy Spirit, we will receive power (Acts 1:8) and be “clothed with power from on high” (Lk 24:49). In the Holy Spirit, we will do works even greater than Jesus did (Jn 14:12).

Because of our great power in the Holy Spirit, we are a threat to the devil. He will try to stop us by bribing us with fleeting, enslaving pleasures. If that doesn’t work, he attempts to intimidate us by threatening to inflict pain on us and persecute us. Consequently, we must be willing to endure “violent abuse” (Acts 13:45) and even death, rather than compromise the Gospel.

Do you want to receive the Holy Spirit in much greater ways? Knowing that you will receive both power and pain, will you cry out: “Come, Holy Spirit!”? Let us decide to take up the cross, the cost of Pentecost (see Lk 9:23).

Prayer: Father, work in unprecedented glory through the Pentecost Novena this year.

Promise: "Anything you ask Me in My name I will do." —Jn 14:14

Praise: Mary prayed faithfully for many years for Thomas to be converted. On his deathbed, Thomas accepted Jesus as his Savior.

(For a related teaching on Baptism in the Holy Spirit, listen to, download or order our CD 43-1 or DVD 43 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 April 1, 2024, through May 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio June 22, 2023"

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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