HOPING WHEN LIFE IS THE WORST - One Bread, One Body, 03/18/2022

For a limited time, we have many extra Easter (April-May) English and Spanish OBOB books available to share with others in your parishes, laundry-mats, or nursing homes. For getting extra OBOB books in English, please call (513) 662-5378 and request the number of books you want along with the name and address for sending.
For getting extra OBOB books in Spanish, please call (513) 296-1380 or email jerrycappel@fuse.net with your book request. May God bless your efforts to evangelize!

Friday, March 18, 2022, St. Cyril of Jerusalem

Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13, 17-28
Psalm 105:16-21
Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46
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HOPING WHEN LIFE IS THE WORST
"The Stone Which the builders rejected has become the Keystone of the structure. It was the Lord Who did this and we find it marvelous to behold." —Matthew 21:42; Psalm 118:22-23

If we repent in our sinfulness, slavery, and misery, the Lord will take the worst in our lives and make it the best. The Lord manifests His almighty power not just by doing great works but by making the greatest miracles out of the worst sins, injustices, and defeats. “God makes all things work together for the good of those who love” Him (Rm 8:28).

Joseph’s brothers decided to murder him. Then they changed their plans from murdering him to starving him and finally to selling him into slavery. The brothers agreed to lie to their father about Joseph’s death and thereby broke their father’s heart (Gn 37:20, 35). This was a gross evil. The Lord turned this to the good by raising up Joseph into one of the most powerful people of the world. He saved the lives of countless thousands of people (including his own family) from starvation. Ironically, Joseph, who was almost left to starve to death, saved many countries from starving to death.

The worst evil ever perpetrated and the focal point of every sin that has ever or will ever be committed is Jesus’ Passion and death. The Lord took this absolute worst to bring about the ultimate best — the salvation of the whole world.

If you are in the worst of times, there may be reason for you to be even more hopeful. “Rejoice in hope” (Rm 12:12).

Prayer: Father, this Lent may hope well up inside me as never before.

Promise: "The king sent and released him, the ruler of the peoples set him free. He made him lord of his house and ruler of all his possessions." —Ps 105:20-21

Praise: St. Cyril of Jerusalem's instructions on the Sacraments are still relevant today.



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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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THREE HEART MONITORS - One Bread, One Body, 03/17/2022

Thursday, March 17, 2022, St. Patrick

Jeremiah 17:5-10
Psalm 1:1-4, 6
Luke 16:19-31
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THREE HEART MONITORS
"More tortuous than all else is the human heart, beyond remedy; who can understand it? I, the Lord, alone probe the mind and test the heart." —Jeremiah 17:9-10

Life is a matter of the heart. If we have accepted a new heart from the Lord (Ez 36:26) and live accordingly by loving Him with all our hearts (see Lk 10:27), our lives on earth will be abundant (see Jn 10:10), free, holy, and fulfilled. Then after our deaths or Jesus’ final coming, we will live forever with the Lord in the perfect love of heaven.

If, however, we let our hearts become hardened throughout our lives and stay that way, we will live lives of increasing insensitivity. We will be spiritually blind to the sin in our hearts and the poor in our midst (see Lk 16:20ff). Our hearts can become so hardened that we will not listen to someone raised from the dead (e.g. Jesus Himself) (see Lk 16:31). If we die in this state of hard-heartedness, we will go to a place of everlasting torment (see Lk 16:24) and be separated from God forever by a great chasm (see Lk 16:26).

Because everlasting life and death are matters of the heart, it is of great importance to know our heart condition. On the third, fourth, and fifth Sundays of Lent, the catechumens of the world ask the Lord to scrutinize their hearts. Let us all pray these prayers to make sure we are living the life of the new heart.

Prayer: Father, may I get clear readings of my heart from the prayers called the "Scrutinies."

Promise: "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose Hope is the Lord." —Jer 17:7

Praise: St. Patrick so loved those who had kidnapped and enslaved him, he sought to lead them to the Lord.

(For a related teaching on Spiritual Blindness, listen to, download or order our CD 65-1 or DVD 65 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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BITING THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU - One Bread, One Body, 03/16/2022

Wednesday, March 16, 2022,

Jeremiah 18:18-20
Psalm 31:5-6, 14-16
Matthew 20:17-28
View Readings

BITING THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU
"Must good be repaid with evil?" —Jeremiah 18:20

Jeremiah sacrificed and suffered to be a prophet and turn away God’s wrath (Jer 18:20) from “the men of Judah and the citizens of Jerusalem” (Jer 18:11). Although Jeremiah saved many people’s lives, they did not realize this. They hated Jeremiah and plotted to kill him. They reasoned that Jeremiah’s death would not be a loss (Jer 18:18) but their gain. The good Jeremiah had done was “repaid with evil” (Jer 18:20).

We all want to be appreciated. So we are disappointed when we are not thanked. Even more so, when those who have benefited from our good acts repay us by doing evil against us, we are often crushed. At this point we feel like quitting, and we definitely will quit if we are serving the Lord for any other reason than for the Lord alone.

Are you serving the Lord only for the Lord? If not, you will burn out. Love for the Lord is the only motivation which lasts. Thank the Lord when you get nothing out of serving Him but Him. This is our opportunity to love unconditionally as He loves us. This is our opportunity to be crucified with Jesus (Gal 2:19).

Prayer: Father, I accept Your grace to forgive those who have hurt me unjustly.

Promise: "The Son of Man...has come, not to be served by others, but to serve, to give His own life as a ransom for the many." —Mt 20:28

Praise: Praying the Stations of the Cross, Anna's own misery melted as she experienced Jesus' overwhelming sacrificial love for her.

(For a related teaching on Crucified to the World, listen to, download or order our CD 40-A3 or DVD 40-A 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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“BE RECONCILED TO GOD!” (2 Cor 5:20) - One Bread, One Body, 03/15/2022

Tuesday, March 15, 2022,

Isaiah 1:10, 16-20
Psalm 50:8-9, 16-17, 21, 23
Matthew 23:1-12
View Readings

"BE RECONCILED TO GOD!" (2 Cor 5:20)
"Come now, let us set things right, says the Lord: though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow." —Isaiah 1:18

The Pharisees and Sadducees had hearts for their own honor (see Mt 23:6). Before Jesus chastised them for their pride, He wept over them, lamenting that in their desire for honors, they had completely missed “the path to peace” (Lk 19:42). Moreover, their pride caused them to be badly misled and fail to understand the power of God (Mk 12:24). God’s plan is to touch the hearts of sinful men and women with self-sacrificing, humble love.

Lent is the season to humble our pride and bow before the Lord. One of the best ways to do this is to make a sincere, truthful Lenten Confession. The Lord Jesus opens His arms wide to embrace His people. Our sins cannot keep His love away; it’s only our stiff-necked pride that keeps Him at arms-length.

Ask the humble Jesus if there is any pride in your heart. Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord (1 Pt 5:6). Confess your sins to Him (Ps 32:5). Receive His forgiveness, love, and peace. “Make things right” (see Is 1:18) and be washed clean.

Prayer: Father, may I make any changes necessary to be reconciled to You before this day is over.

Promise: "Cease doing evil; learn to do good. Make justice your aim." —Is 1:16-17

Praise: Rather than growing bitter over the loss of her husband and children, Theresa began volunteering for her Church family.

(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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FORGIVE TO GIVE - One Bread, One Body, 03/14/2022

Monday, March 14, 2022,

Daniel 9:4-10
Psalm 79:8-9, 11, 13
Luke 6:36-38
View Readings

FORGIVE TO GIVE
"Give, and it shall be given to you." —Luke 6:38

When we give, we open the door to let the Lord lavish His love on us. The Lord desires to bless us “good measure pressed down, shaken together, running over” (Lk 6:38). Yet He does not force His love on us. We must open up to His love. By giving, we tell God how open we are to receiving. “For the measure you measure with will be measured back to you” (Lk 6:38).

Most people think of themselves as “generous,” but this is often not completely accurate. The financial problems of churches and the lack of religious vocations are signs that we have trouble giving. This is to be expected because God’s kind of giving goes against our selfish human nature. When we admit our problems in giving, we can ask God to help us.

Giving is not primarily a matter of finances but often of forgiveness. That’s why the Lord commands us to pardon one another before commanding us to give (Lk 6:37). In the verse recited just before pardoning, Jesus commands us not to judge or condemn others (Lk 6:37). The keys to giving are forgiving and not judging or condemning.

Prayer: Father, may I see reluctance to give freely as a symptom of unforgiveness.

Promise: "...Lord, great and awesome God, You Who keep Your merciful covenant toward those who love You and observe Your commandments!" —Dn 9:4

Praise: Stuart forgave his father for abusing him as a child.

(For a related teaching on Unforgiveness is the Cause, view, download or order our leaflet or listen to, download or order our CD 41-1 or DVD 41 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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MOUNTAIN CLIMBING - One Bread, One Body, 03/13/2022

Sunday, March 13, 2022, Second Sunday of Lent

Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18
Philippians 3:17—4:1
Psalm 27:1, 7-9, 13-14
Luke 9:28-36

View Readings

MOUNTAIN CLIMBING
Jesus "took Peter, John and James, and went up onto a mountain to pray." —Luke 9:28

On this Second Sunday of Lent, Jesus takes us up Transfiguration Mountain. He has much more to tell us but we cannot bear it now (Jn 16:12). We must “climb the Lord’s mountain...that He may instruct us in His ways, and we may walk in His paths” (Is 2:3). We will see Jesus glorified and hear a voice from the cloud say: “This is My Son, My Chosen One. Listen to Him” (Lk 9:35).

These mountaintop revelations will keep us from despair when the Lord takes us to Calvary to see His quivering body wrenching with pain. The mountain prepares us for the valley, the glory for the suffering. Because of Transfiguration Mountain, when we walk with Him “through a gloomy valley” (Ps 23:4, JB), we will “consider the sufferings of the present to be as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed in us” (Rm 8:18). We will fix our eyes on Jesus (Heb 12:2) and walk on the waters of evil (Mt 14:29). We will not run from the cross but boast of it (Gal 6:14).

After the Transfiguration, we know our citizenship is in heaven, and from there we await Christ’s coming (Phil 3:20). We realize we are in the world but not of it (Jn 17:15-16). We are already seated on Christ’s throne (Eph 2:6) even though our bodies are away from the Lord (2 Cor 5:6).

Prayer: Jesus, may I experience what the apostles did on Transfiguration Mountain. Prepare me for the rest of Lent and life.

Promise: "He will give a new form to this lowly body of ours and remake it according to the pattern of His glorified body." —Phil 3:21

Praise: As we journey through the Lenten desert, we are not abandoned. Lord Jesus, You are the beacon for all who "worship in Spirit and truth" (see Jn 4:24). All praise to You!



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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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“I FIRMLY RESOLVE” - One Bread, One Body, 03/12/2022

Saturday, March 12, 2022,

Deuteronomy 26:16-19
Psalm 119:1-2, 4-5, 7-8
Matthew 5:43-48
View Readings

"I FIRMLY RESOLVE"
"Oh, that I might be firm in the ways of keeping Your statutes!" —Psalm 119:5

Is your Ash Wednesday Lenten resolve still firm or are temptations wearing down your self-denial? Our weak flesh is vulnerable to the relentless pressures of temptation. We desire to do what is right, but we don’t have the power (see Rm 7:18). Our old, sinful nature rebels against our new, redeemed nature. There’s a civil war raging inside us (see Jas 4:1). What wretches we are! (Rm 7:24) “Who can free” us? (Rm 7:24)

Jesus has set us free (Jn 8:36). He freed us for lifelong liberty (Gal 5:1). He shattered the bonds of sin that held us bound, and gave us new life and risen power (Col 2:13-14). Praise Jesus!

Yet we still live in human bodies and are weak flesh. We live a risen life (Col 3:1), yet we are subject to temptation, just as Jesus was (Mt 4:1ff; Heb 4:15). With the psalmist, we pray to be firm in resisting temptation (Ps 119:5, 11). We must ask Jesus to “increase our faith” (Lk 17:5), for unless our faith is firm, we will not be firm (Is 7:9).

Jesus “is able to help those who are tempted” (Heb 2:18). Ask Him to immerse you in the Holy Spirit (Jn 7:37-39), Who fights against the temptations of the flesh (Gal 5:17). “My point is that you should live in accord with the Spirit and you will not yield to the cravings of the flesh” (Gal 5:16). “So stand firm, and do not take on yourselves the yoke of slavery a second time!” (Gal 5:1)

Prayer: Father, "I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more, and to avoid the near occasion of sin."

Promise: "You will be a people sacred to the Lord, your God, as He promised." —Dt 26:19

Praise: While job hunting, Peter turned down job offers that would have presented temptations to him.

(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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