OFFER HIM REST - One Bread, One Body, 02/07/2022

Monday, February 7, 2022,

1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13
Psalm 132:6-10
Mark 6:53-56
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OFFER HIM REST
"Advance, O Lord, to Your resting place." —Psalm 132:8

In today’s first reading and Psalm, the Lord journeys to His place of rest in the newly finished Temple in Jerusalem. God confirms His acceptance of the Temple as a suitable dwelling by the presence of the cloud which fills the Temple. The cloud had been the sign of God’s presence for forty years in the Exodus and the wandering of the Israelites through the desert. Now His presence dwells within the ark of the covenant inside the Temple.

Then God sent His only Son into the world (Jn 3:16). In the New Covenant, God’s presence dwelt on the earth through Jesus (see Jn 1:14; Heb 1:3). How ironic then that Jesus had no place to rest during His public ministry, no place to lay His head (see Lk 9:58). Jesus was frequently on the move, in boats, villages, desert places, and other such wanderings.

At the end of His life, Jesus took His earthly dwelling place to a new level: He has chosen to dwell in us! After ascending into heaven, Jesus remains with His people through His real presence in the Holy Eucharist. When we receive His Body and Blood in the Eucharist, Jesus now dwells in us and “remains in” us (see Jn 6:56). We become walking tabernacles of His presence. Jesus lives in us to such an extent that He assures us: “Anyone who loves Me will be true to My word, and My Father will love him; We will come to him and make Our dwelling place with him” (Jn 14:23).

When Jesus was born, there was no place for Him, Joseph, or Mary to find rest (see Lk 2:7). Let us change our lives in order to prepare our hearts to be a resting place for Jesus. “Advance, O Lord, to Your resting place” (Ps 132:8), my heart.

Prayer: Lord, here I am. Rearrange my life as You see fit and make Your home in me.

Promise: "All who touched [Jesus] got well." —Mk 6:56

Praise: Reaching age 30, Lynn despaired of ever finding a godly husband, but she devoted herself to serving God in her parish. The Lord then put directly in her path a loving man to marry her.

(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 February 01/2022 through March 31, 2022 Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio June 16, 2021"

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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HIS CALL TO GIVE ALL - One Bread, One Body, 02/06/2022

Sunday, February 6, 2022, 5th Sunday Ordinary Time

Isaiah 6:1-8
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Psalm 138:1-5, 7-8
Luke 5:1-11

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HIS CALL TO GIVE ALL
"Leave me, Lord. I am a sinful man." —Luke 5:8

Isaiah, St. Paul, and St. Peter were profoundly touched by an encounter with Almighty God. Each saw the glory and majesty of God and were filled with awe and fear of the Lord. They were cut to the heart, and realized both God’s holiness and their own sinfulness. God touched them, and this touch removed their sins. Thus purified, God called them, and each responded by giving his life to the Lord: “Here I am...send me!” (Is 6:8)

God is creative in the ways He touches us. Peter was a professional fisherman; Jesus touched him on the job (Lk 5:3-11). Paul was actively persecuting Jesus; the Lord touched Paul in the midst of his opposition (Acts 9:1-19). Isaiah was inside the Temple in Jerusalem, presumably worshipping and serving God, when the Lord touched him (Is 6:1ff).

The Lord can touch you at any moment, in any state of life, whether serving Him or opposing Him. Not everyone has such a vivid encounter with Almighty God. Nonetheless, He gives each of us the opportunity to encounter Him in many ways: the Sacraments, the Scriptures, the Church and its Catechism, the Holy Spirit, the Blessed Mother, guardian angels, other Christians, the beauty of creation, and so many more. Therefore, repent deeply. “Seek the Lord while He may be found” (Is 55:6). Open the Bible and read it. Go to Mass, daily if possible. “Seek to serve Him constantly” (Ps 105:4).

Prayer: Lord, may I "turn now ten times the more to seek" You (Bar 4:28). Touch me and convict me of my sinfulness. Grace me to hear and answer Your call. I am totally Yours.

Promise: "The Lord will complete what He has done for me." —Ps 138:8

Praise: Praise You, risen Jesus, King of the Universe! Alleluia!

(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 February 01/2022 through March 31, 2022 Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio June 16, 2021"

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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SNACKERS - One Bread, One Body, 02/05/2022

Saturday, February 5, 2022, St. Agatha

1 Kings 3:4-13
Psalm 119:9-14
Mark 6:30-34
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SNACKERS
"Blessed are You, O Lord; teach me Your statutes." —Psalm 119:12

Even though Jesus wanted to spend time alone with His apostles, He gave up His plans and taught the vast crowd at great length (Mk 6:34). He was so overwhelmed by the masses of people that He could not even eat (Mk 6:31). However, Jesus felt it was more important to teach at great length.

We probably don’t have the same priorities as Jesus. We are spiritual snackers. We usually don’t pray at great length. Most of us rarely spend one hour with Him. We don’t study the Bible at great length. But we’re content to read a little here and there. We usually don’t minister to God’s people at great length. Many will help out on a specific project, but make no long term commitments.

Snackers are usually not healthy. We need to eat something substantial to grow physically strong. Likewise, spiritual snackers are not healthy and don’t mature (see 1 Cor 3:1-2). We will never be inspired to build up the Body of Christ unless we give ourselves time with God, substantial Bible reading, and deep personal involvement in ministry. Make time for Jesus. You’ll never regret it.

Prayer: Father, may I mature and not stay a baby Christian. May I move from a spiritual diet of milk to solid food (Heb 5:12-14).

Promise: "Give Your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge Your people and to distinguish right from wrong."

Praise: St. Agatha was born into a wealthy family in Catania, Italy. She is honored for her purity and was martyred during the Third Century persecution of the Roman Emperor Decius. She is now the patroness of nursing mothers, breast cancer patients and victims of abuse.

(For substantial Bible reading, read the Bible daily. For encouragement, view, download or order our leaflet How to Read the Bible or listen to, download or order our CD 46-3 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 February 01/2022 through March 31, 2022 Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio June 16, 2021"

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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SEEING RED - One Bread, One Body, 02/04/2022

Friday, February 4, 2022,

Sirach 47:2-11
Psalm 18:31, 47, 50-51
Mark 6:14-29
View Readings

SEEING RED
"He promptly dispatched an executioner, ordering him to bring back the Baptizer's head. The man went and beheaded John in the prison. He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl." —Mark 6:27-28

This week the Church has been seeing red, blood red. We remember the bloody deaths of Sts. John the Baptizer, Blase, Agatha, Paul Miki and companions. From Jerusalem, to Japan, to Rome, from the time of Christ to the present day, Christians have been laying down their lives for and in imitation of the Master, Jesus.

At this moment, thousands of Christians await execution, and some have already died today. We live in an age of martyrs. Never before in almost two thousand years of Christianity has the “quota” of martyrs been so quickly filled (Rv 6:11). This is one of the signs that we are nearing the end of the world and Christ’s second coming (Lk 21:12). Communists, fundamentalist Muslims, secularists, and others rage against Christians across much of the world. Some, like Herod, use brutality and violence (Mk 6:28). Others use a subtle approach, even more devastating than murder-martyrdoms.

Let us never forget these brothers and sisters following the Master literally to death. Let’s pray that their witness bears great fruit and that they persevere to the end.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for martyrs dying today. Strengthen them with fresh hope and courage.

Promise: "With [David's] every deed he offered thanks to God Most High, in words of praise. With his whole being he loved his Maker and daily had His praises sung." —Sir 47:8

Praise: Every night Mark and his family pray for those who died that day, some of whom may have been martyred.

(For a related teaching on Riding Out the Storm, listen to, download or order our CD 69-1 or DVD 69 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 February 01/2022 through March 31, 2022 Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio June 16, 2021"

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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SHAKE IT OFF - One Bread, One Body, 02/03/2022

Thursday, February 3, 2022, St. Blase
St. Ansgar

1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12
1 Chronicles 29:10-12
Mark 6:7-13
View Readings

SHAKE IT OFF
"If any place will not receive you or hear you, shake its dust from your feet in testimony against them as you leave." —Mark 6:11

Jesus commands His disciples to shake the dust off their feet and move on if they are not received by a town (Mk 6:11). Shaking the dust off our feet after being rejected takes an act of humility. In so doing, we must acknowledge that Jesus is the Savior and Healer; we are not. We must renounce our pride and admit that our best efforts could not cause the hearts of our hearers to be opened. It requires humility and faith, not anger, to then move on to the next opportunity to minister. We need faith to believe that our future efforts are not doomed to failure (see Rm 4:16).

Today’s psalm states: “Lord, You are exalted over all” (see 1 Chr 29:11). The Lord causes success, not ourselves. We do our best in ministry, serving in charity, in self-emptying, humble love. But when we are not received, we don’t close the door to any future contact, but rather move on as Jesus did (see Mk 1:38). As we move on to the next ministry opportunity, we don’t bring baggage and wounds, because we have shaken them off our feet (Mk 6:11). Instead, we are fully available to the next person to whom the Lord calls us to minister.

Certainly, we don’t “move on” from family once we are wounded. But “shaking off the dust” is a good way to love them anew with a healed and refreshed heart. Give your wounded heart to Jesus. He will hide your heart inside His Sacred Heart and heal you with His love. He “will give you a new heart” (Ez 36:26).

Prayer: Father, cleanse my heart (Ps 51:12). May I not "brood over injuries" (1 Cor 13:5), but shake them off as You command.

Promise: "They expelled many demons, anointed the sick with oil, and worked many cures." —Mk 6:13

Praise: St. Ansgar was a monk living in a French abbey. His life dramatically changed when he was named bishop of all Scandinavia.

(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 February 01/2022 through March 31, 2022 Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio June 16, 2021"

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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PRESENT YOUR ALL TO THE LORD - One Bread, One Body, 02/02/2022

Wednesday, February 2, 2022, Presentation of the Lord

Malachi 3:1-4
Hebrews 2:14-18
Psalm 24:7-10
Luke 2:22-40

View Readings

PRESENT YOUR ALL TO THE LORD
"Who will endure the day of His coming?" —Malachi 3:2

It was a normal day in the Temple. A first-born Baby was brought into the Temple to be presented to the Lord for consecration (Lk 2:22-23), as had been occurring for centuries. Then the normal day abruptly changed. God showed up in a new way. “Suddenly there will come to the Temple the Lord” (Mal 3:1). Who can endure His coming? (Mal 3:2) Who will be ready to greet the Lord? Will God come into our lives and once again have to ask,  “Why was no one there when I came?” (Is 50:2)

Amazingly, the prophets Simeon and Anna were ready for the coming of Jesus into the Temple (see Lk 2:25, 36). They had experienced many “normal” days. They could have relaxed and wavered in readiness. Yet, they persevered in hope and were “ready to greet Him when He” came. Daily, they sought the Lord in prayer and fasting (see Lk 2:37). When the moment came, they were ready with words of prophecy and exhortation.

Present yourself daily to the Lord as an act of consecration and presentation. Will you let the Lord refine you, give you the gifts of the Spirit, and remove the dross from your life? Will you be ready each day, or will you relax and miss out on His visitation?

Prayer: Father, I am all Yours. Do in me whatever You must in order to do through me whatever You will.

Promise: "Since He was Himself tested through what He suffered, He is able to help those who are tempted." —Heb 2:18

Praise: The Presentation of the Lord fulfills multiple Old Testament prophecies. "I will make You a light to the nations, that My salvation may reach to the ends of the earth" (Is 49:6).

(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(For a related teaching on Purification/Presentation and Illumination, listen to, download or order our CD 89-1 or DVD 89 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 February 01/2022 through March 31, 2022 Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio June 16, 2021"

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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SUBLETTING - One Bread, One Body, 02/01/2022

For a limited time, we have many extra Lenten Spanish OBOB books available to share with others in your parishes, laundry-mats, or nursing homes.
Please call (513) 296-1380 or email jerrycappel@fuse.net and let us know how the quantity, your full name, and your address with zip code so we can send them to you.

Tuesday, February 1, 2022,

2 Samuel 18:9-10, 14, 24-25, 30—19:3
Psalm 86:1-6
Mark 5:21-43
View Readings

SUBLETTING
"My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son!" —2 Samuel 19:1

Absalom started a civil war and tried to kill his father, David. When Absalom was killed in battle, David was not relieved or happy. He wished that he would have died instead of Absalom. Who wants to die in place of his enemies?

Jesus loves us, His enemies, for we all are sinners, and sinners are enemies of God. Jesus loves His enemies so much that He does not want us to get the wages of our sins, that is, death (Rm 6:23). He desired that He get the wages of our sins. So, on the cross, He sacrificially took our place and died.

After being loved by Jesus even to His death on the cross in our place, we can be sure that there is nothing good that Jesus will not do for us (see Rm 8:32). His love is such that He lives in us and wants us to live in Him (see 1 Jn 4:16). He heals, frees, and saves us. He will even raise us from the dead to live with Him in perfect happiness forever (see 2 Cor 4:14). Because of His unconditional love for us, His enemies, He will love us infinitely and perfectly — even if we do not choose to repent and thereby remain His enemies. He will love us even if we choose to go to hell and never accept His love. “His steadfast love endures forever” (Ps 136:1ff, JB). Because Jesus was your substitute in death, live in peace, security, freedom, and love.

Prayer: Father, I will not reject Your love. I will love You, Who are Love.

Promise: "Fear is useless. What is needed is trust." —Mk 5:36

Praise: Ralph devoted his fatherhood to displaying the heavenly Father's tender love to each of his children (see Hos 11:4).

(Our retreat, Who am I in Christ, will be held in the Cincinnati area Feb. 18-19. Knowing who Jesus is will allow us to know ourselves. To be disciples of Jesus, we must love Jesus more than we love anyone else (Mt 10:37). Register to attend; call (513) 373-2397 or (937) 587-5464 or e-mail retreats@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 February 01/2022 through March 31, 2022 Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio June 16, 2021"

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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