HEALING THE HANDICAPPED - One Bread, One Body, 04/22/2022

Friday, April 22, 2022, Easter Friday

Acts 4:1-12
Psalm 118:1-2, 4, 22-27
John 21:1-14
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HEALING THE HANDICAPPED
"If we must answer today for a good deed done to a cripple and explain how he was restored to health, then you and all the people of Israel must realize that it was done in the name of Jesus Christ." —Acts 4:9-10

“Many wonders and signs were performed by the apostles” after the first Pentecost (Acts 2:43). The few healings recounted in Acts of the Apostles were chosen to be proclaimed not just because they were healings, but because of their special significance. The man lame from birth is someone we all can identify with. We may not be physically handicapped, but we all have been handicapped since birth in other ways. Because of cowardice, Peter was also handicapped. Some people have never taken even their first baby-step in evangelization. Many have been paralyzed by fear for as long as they can remember. Others have never prayed together with their spouses. These are severe spiritual handicaps.

However, the good news is that in the name of the risen Jesus we can be healed. This will prove that Jesus has risen and is alive right now. When we let Jesus heal us from a life-long handicap, we have an ideal forum for proclaiming His resurrection. Those who have known us for years will be astounded at our new freedom. They will ask how we were healed of our handicap. We will then be able to proclaim that “it was done in the name of Jesus” crucified and risen (Acts 4:10).

Prayer: Risen Jesus, may I let You heal me of a life-long handicap.

Promise: "Simon Peter went aboard and hauled ashore the net loaded with sizable fish — one hundred fifty-three of them!" —Jn 21:11

Praise: Alleluia! We draw our "life from the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Pt 1:3).

(For a related teaching on Accepting Jesus as Lord, Savior, and God, view, download or order our leaflet or 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, 2022 through May 31, 2022. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, August 3, 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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GHOSTS AND THE SPIRIT - One Bread, One Body, 04/21/2022

Thursday, April 21, 2022, Easter Thursday

Acts 3:11-26
Psalm 8:2, 5-9
Luke 24:35-48
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GHOSTS AND THE SPIRIT
"Touch Me and see that a ghost does not have flesh and bones as I do." —Luke 24:39

The first reaction to the risen Christ was and is: “In their panic and fright they thought they were seeing a ghost” (Lk 24:37). Jesus tried to change that first impression by showing His nail-scarred hands and feet and by eating a piece of fish (Lk 24:40, 42-43). They still thought He was a ghost. “Then He opened their minds to the understanding of the Scriptures” (Lk 24:45), but the apostles still stayed behind locked doors (Jn 20:26). Only through the reception of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday did the disciples move from a ghostly awareness of the risen Jesus to a confirmed faith in Him.

The Holy Spirit is the down payment on and confirmation of all God’s works, including Jesus’ Resurrection (2 Cor 1:21-22). The Spirit makes the Resurrection real for us — a concrete, practical, flesh-and-blood, life-changing experience. Most Christians today have not moved past that false first impression of the risen Christ as a ghost. Our timidity and fears betray that fact. We need the Holy Spirit to confirm our faith in the risen Lord. Then we will act normally, run out into the streets, and declare the glory of God (Acts 2:4ff).

Prayer: Jesus, may I act normally for someone who has seen the dead come to life. May unbelievers be amazed at me, my life, and my lifestyle.

Promise: "When God raised up His Servant, He sent Him to you first to bless you by turning you from your evil ways." —Acts 3:26

Praise: "God raised [Jesus] from the dead, and we are His witnesses" (Acts 3:15).

(For a related teaching on Jesus' Incarnation, listen to, download or order our CD 52-3 or DVD 52 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, 2022 through May 31, 2022. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, August 3, 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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GIVING LIFE TO A “CULTURE OF DEATH” - One Bread, One Body, 04/20/2022

Wednesday, April 20, 2022, Easter Wednesday

Acts 3:1-10
Psalm 105:1-4, 6-9
Luke 24:13-35
View Readings

GIVING LIFE TO A "CULTURE OF DEATH"
"When the people saw him moving and giving praise to God, they recognized him as that beggar who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple. They were struck with astonishment — utterly stupefied at what had happened to him." —Acts 3:9-10

Fifty days after Jesus’ Resurrection, about three thousand people believed that He was risen from the dead and that He would also raise from the dead those who believed in Him (see Jn 6:40). The rest of the people of the world were confused and enslaved by their ignorance of the afterlife and their fear of death (Heb 2:15). How could a few thousand people reach the rest of the world with the Good News of Jesus risen? We currently find ourselves in a similar situation. Today, the Lord is calling the two billion Christians in the world to reach six billion who do not know or believe in Jesus, “the Resurrection and the Life” (Jn 11:25).

In a few short years, the early Church reached millions of people with the Good News of the risen Jesus. They did this by the power of the Holy Spirit. In the Spirit, they preached the Good News of Jesus. Signs, wonders, and healings accompanied their preaching (Mk 16:17-18). Sometimes the Lord first healed people to give the Church an opening for proclaiming the risen Christ (see Acts 3:11-12). Often the Lord punctuated the Church’s preaching with a healing as an exclamation point.

Let’s reach our “culture of death” with the message of resurrection and life. Receive the Holy Spirit! Proclaim God’s Word! Heal in Jesus’ name (see Acts 3:6). Jesus is risen! Alleluia!

Prayer: Father, I will do anything to reach as many as possible with the Good News of Jesus risen (see 1 Cor 9:19).

Promise: "Were not our hearts burning inside us as He talked to us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?" —Lk 24:32

Praise: Praise: "You will show me the path of life, fullness of joys in Your presence, the delights at Your right hand forever" (Ps 16:11).



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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, 2022 through May 31, 2022. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, August 3, 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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A LONG SHOT AND A SURE THING - One Bread, One Body, 04/19/2022

Tuesday, April 19, 2022, Easter Tuesday

Acts 2:36-41
Psalm 33:4-5, 18-20, 22
John 20:11-18
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A LONG SHOT AND A SURE THING
"Jesus said to her, 'Mary!' She turned to Him and said [in Hebrew], 'Rabbouni!' (meaning 'Teacher'). Jesus then said, 'Do not cling to Me.' " —John 20:16-17

Mary Magdalene was not only the first person to meet the risen Jesus in the Gospels but possibly the only person fully transformed by the risen Christ for the first fifty days after the Resurrection. Many others met the risen Christ, but we have no record of them centering their lives on and witnessing to the risen Lord. Even Jesus’ disciples stayed locked in the upper room although they had met Jesus risen more than once (Jn 20:26). Yet Mary Magdalene understood and gave the Resurrection message during the first fifty days.

This fact makes us realistic and optimistic. We would be naive to presume we will automatically have Easter this year. Easter 2022 may not be that much different from previous Easters. Yet, at the same time, Mary Magdalene makes us optimistic. Mary shared the Easter message for the first fifty days of the first Easter. She seemed to be one of the least likely candidates to meet the risen Christ, since she had been possessed by seven devils (Lk 8:2). However, the risen Lord chose to come to her.

Your life may be scarred by the sin and bondage of the past. You may “get no respect,” and even have trouble respecting yourself. Nonetheless, the risen, glorified Lord wants to come to you as He did to Mary Magdalene. Let the risen Jesus transform you this Easter season.

Prayer: Jesus, You are a long shot and a sure thing if I believe in You and obey. Come, risen Jesus!

Promise: "You must reform and be baptized, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, that your sins may be forgiven; then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." —Acts 2:38

Praise: Jesus is "the Resurrection and the Life" (Jn 11:25). Praise Jesus forever!



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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, 2022 through May 31, 2022. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, August 3, 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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“THE WORD OF THE LORD” - One Bread, One Body, 04/18/2022

Monday, April 18, 2022, Easter Monday

Acts 2:14, 22-33
Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11
Matthew 28:8-15
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"THE WORD OF THE LORD"
"Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and addressed them." —Acts 2:14

Put yourself in St. Peter’s place. You’re standing before several thousand people, many of whom think you’re drunk. This is your chance to witness to the risen Christ. What are you to say? Will you mention that the risen Jesus personally appeared to you on Resurrection Day? (Lk 24:34) Will you mention Jesus’ evening appearance or that occasion a week later when Thomas touched His wounds? (Jn 20:19-29) How about the time when the risen Christ told you how to catch one-hundred and fifty-three fish, or when He ascended into Heaven? (Jn 21:4ff; Mk 16:19) What about the risen Jesus appearing to five-hundred brothers at once? (1 Cor 15:6)

Surprisingly, Peter never mentions any of these eyewitness accounts of the risen Christ. Instead, Peter talks about Psalm 16 (Acts 2:25-28). This psalm burned in Peter’s heart as a prophecy of the risen Christ (Lk 24:32). When Peter shared this, it did something for the crowd. They no longer thought Peter was drunk, but three thousand people asked to be baptized that day (Acts 2:41).

The Word of God introduces us to the risen life. The Word must come alive before we deeply believe Jesus is alive. When God’s Word almost jumps off the page, we know that the tomb is empty and He’s alive.

“Indeed, God’s word is living and effective” (Heb 4:12). His words are “spirit and life” (Jn 6:63).

Prayer: Jesus, may Your Word burn in my heart within a week (Lk 24:32).

Promise: "Jesus stood before them and said, 'Peace!' The women came up and embraced His feet and did Him homage. At this Jesus said to them, 'Do not be afraid! Go and carry the news to My brothers.' " —Mt 28:9-10

Praise: Alleluia! Jesus is risen! "Let us be glad"! (Ps 118:24)



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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, 2022 through May 31, 2022. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, August 3, 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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RISEN LIFE IN JESUS - One Bread, One Body, 04/17/2022

Sunday, April 17, 2022, Easter Sunday

Romans 6:3-11 (Vigil Reading)
Acts 10:34, 37-43

Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6-8
Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23
John 20:1-9

View Readings

RISEN LIFE IN JESUS
"Since you have been raised up in company with Christ, set your heart on what pertains to higher realms where Christ is seated at God's right hand. Be intent on things above rather than on things of earth." —Colossians 3:1-2

Alleluia! Jesus is risen! His tomb is empty! “Death has no more power over Him” (Rm 6:9). Alleluia!

Because we’ve been baptized into Christ, we have died with Him (Rm 6:3). “If we have been united with Him through likeness to His death, so shall we be through a like resurrection” (Rm 6:5). This very day we have already “been raised up” with Jesus to share in His glorious, heavenly, risen life (Col 3:1).

For many in the United States, the joy of Easter means returning to the things we gave up for Lent. It’s back to chocolate, sweets, soft drinks, ice cream, etc. Yes, we do have to “celebrate and rejoice” on Easter (Lk 15:32), and these treats help us to celebrate, but if we find our joy simply in returning to the old life we lived before Lent, we will have missed Easter.

Jesus is the reason for the season! He is risen! We are invited to a risen life with Him that is so new, powerful, and exciting that we can’t sufficiently celebrate it with the “old yeast,” that is, our old joys and old lifestyle (1 Cor 5:7). Let us “be intent on things above rather than on things of earth” (Col 3:2). Let’s celebrate the fifty-day Easter season by immersing ourselves in God’s Word, which is sweeter than the tastiest candy (Ps 119:103), and in the Eucharist, the “bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Cor 5:8).

Prayer: Father, give me new, risen ways to celebrate "this new life" (Acts 5:20). Praise and glory to You, risen Jesus!

Promise: "He saw and believed." —Jn 20:8

Praise: "This is the day the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it" (Ps 118:24). Jesus is risen! 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 April 1, 2022 through May 31, 2022. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio August 3, 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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DID YOU MISS ME? - One Bread, One Body, 04/16/2022

Saturday, April 16, 2022, Holy Saturday

(No Eucharistic readings)


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DID YOU MISS ME?
"I opened to my Lover — but my Lover had departed, gone. I sought Him but I did not find Him; I called to Him but He did not answer me." —Song of Songs 5:6

On this Holy Saturday, there is no Mass, no Eucharistic presence in the tabernacles of our Churches, no Eucharistic readings proclaimed for the world to hear. Jesus, our Life (Jn 11:25; 14:6), has fallen to the ground and died (Jn 12:24). He has been buried in the tomb, and we who are baptized into Him have also been buried with Him (see Rm 6:4). We are deprived of His special Eucharistic presence until tonight’s Easter Vigil.

Many might say, “So what’s the big deal? Just wait until tonight or tomorrow and you’ll get your Jesus back as usual.” They would be speaking pragmatic words, but love isn’t pragmatic or practical. The toddler cries when its beloved mother leaves the room. The lover in the Song of Songs passage above searches all night long for her missing Lover (Sg 5:6). We who are living our Baptisms to the full are so joined to Jesus that we miss Him terribly when we are deprived of His presence. When we have centered our lives on the Mass, we miss His presence in the Eucharist so much because we love Him so much.

Do you miss the Eucharistic Jesus today? Do you even know He is missing? If not, today is your chance to grow in love. Ask the Holy Spirit to pour out the love of God in your heart (Rm 5:5). If absence makes the heart grow fonder, then may Jesus’ absence today make your heart overflow with love for Him.

Prayer: "As the hind longs for the running waters, so my soul longs for You, O God. Athirst is my soul for God, the living God. When shall I go and behold the face of God?" (Ps 42:2-3)

Promise: (none)

Praise: (none)

(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, 2022 through May 31, 2022. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio August 3, 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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