LOVELESS FOREVER - One Bread, One Body, 08/08/2023

Tuesday, August 8, 2023, St. Dominic

Numbers 12:1-13
Psalm 51:3-7, 12-13
Matthew 14:22-36

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LOVELESS FOREVER
"Have mercy on me, O God, in Your goodness; in the greatness of Your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me." —Psalm 51:3-4

The Lord “wants all men to be saved and come to know the truth” (1 Tm 2:4). “It is no part of your heavenly Father’s plan that a single one of these little ones shall ever come to grief” (Mt 18:14). God wants us to be with Him forever in heaven so much that “He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him may not die but may have eternal life. God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him” (Jn 3:16-17).

However, God, Who is Love (1 Jn 4:16), will not force His love on us. We must freely accept or reject Him. If we choose to reject Him, in His mercy He will give us the wages of our sins (Rm 6:23) so that we may see the consequences of our actions and realize we must repent. For example, when Miriam sinned by being jealous of Moses, the Lord let her become a leper and thereby called her to repentance (Nm 12:10).

If we persist in sinning and in refusing to repent, we choose not to love God Who is Love. We choose a loveless life forever, that is, we put ourselves in hell. Then Jesus will be forced to say again: “Let them go their way; they are blind leaders of the blind” (Mt 15:14).

Don’t choose the selfishness of everlasting hell. Choose to love.

Prayer: Jesus, may I let You save me.

Promise: "Moses cried to the Lord, 'Please, not this! Pray, heal her!' " —Nm 12:13

Praise: St. Dominic, it is said, seldom spoke unless it was to God or about God.

(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 August 1, 2023, through September 30, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 4, 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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FOOD FOR LEADERS - One Bread, One Body, 08/07/2023

Monday, August 7, 2023, Pope St. Sixtus II
St. Cajetan

Numbers 11:4-15
Psalm 81:12-17
Matthew 14:13-21

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FOOD FOR LEADERS
"All those present ate their fill." —Matthew 14:20

In today’s first reading, God provides a miraculous gift of daily manna, which satisfied the Israelites’ need for food (Nm 11:6-9). In the Gospel reading, Jesus multiplies a few loaves and fishes to satisfy the hunger of a huge crowd (Mt 14:18ff). In the Mass, after we hear these readings, we then receive the Holy Eucharist, a far superior miraculous food.

In both readings, the leaders are greatly stressed because of the people’s constant need to be fed (Nm 11:10ff; Mt 14:15, 17). Knowing that people are often unsatisfied even with miracle food and complain against their own leaders, why would anyone want to be a leader in the religious life? A good answer is that leaders have a role in distributing miraculous food. Priests have the blessing of consecrating the Holy Eucharist. The privilege of feeding hungry people with the Bread of Life (Jn 6:35) and the Word of God (see Mt 4:4) outweighs the trials of ministry.

Some who read this may be called to the priesthood. Others are being called to become leaders in the Body of Christ. If so, focus not on the difficulties of working with complaining and rebellious people. Instead, fix your eyes on the Eucharistic Jesus (Heb 3:1). Jesus is calling His leaders to have His own Shepherd’s heart. Jesus says to His leaders: “Give them something to eat yourselves” (Mt 14:16). Like the Blessed Mother, magnify the Lord and minimize the obstacles. Jesus calls you to “feed [His] sheep” (Jn 21:17).

Prayer: Father, may I yearn to feed Your hungry people more than a parent desires to feed their hungry child.

Promise: "If only My people would hear Me, and Israel walk in My ways, quickly would I humble their enemies; against their foes I would turn My hand." —Ps 81:14-15

Praise: Pope St. Sixtus II was martyred for the "crime" of celebrating the Holy Eucharist in the catacombs of Rome. He willingly risked his life to bring Jesus to persecuted Christians.

(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 August 1, 2023, through September 30, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 4, 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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“FIX YOUR EYES ON JESUS” (Heb 3:1) - One Bread, One Body, 08/06/2023

Sunday, August 6, 2023, Transfiguration of the Lord

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
2 Peter 1:16-19
Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 9
Matthew 17:1-9
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"FIX YOUR EYES ON JESUS" (Heb 3:1)
"We were eyewitnesses of His sovereign majesty. He received glory and praise from God the Father when that unique declaration came to Him out of the majestic splendor: 'This is My beloved Son, on Whom My favor rests.' We ourselves heard this said from heaven while we were in His company on the holy mountain…Keep your attention closely fixed on it, as you would on a lamp shining in a dark place." —2 Peter 1:17-19

Sts. Peter, James and John witnessed the transfigured majesty of Jesus on the holy mountain (Mt 17:1ff). They heard the voice of God the Father testify that Jesus is His Son (Mt 17:5). They saw Jesus’ face become “as dazzling as the sun, His clothes as radiant as light” (Mt 17:2). What a vision of heaven on earth!

St. Matthew places the vision of the transfigured glory of Jesus between prophecies of Jesus’ intense suffering (Mt 16:21; 17:12). Thus Jesus’ glory is connected with His suffering. This is a message for our own lives; there is no glory apart from suffering.

So we must bring Jesus our brokenness and sufferings. Through our crosses, we will share in His glory (see Rm 8:18). Currently, we suffer in this valley of tears (see Ps 23:4). St. Peter encourages us to keep before our eyes the transfigured majesty of Jesus (2 Pt 1:19), His coming again in glory, and our eternal destiny in heaven.

A great way to do this is by attending Mass as often as possible, even daily. At each Mass, heaven is wedded to earth in Jesus (see Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1335), and we receive the Eucharistic, transfigured Lord Jesus. “Listen to Him” (Mt 17:5). “Fix your eyes on Jesus” (Heb 3:1).

Prayer: Father, help me stay focused on Your beloved Son, Jesus.

Promise: "You, O Lord, are the Most High over all the earth." —Ps 97:9

Praise: Praise Jesus, transfigured in glory, the "Light of the world" (Jn 8:12), shining in radiant splendor.

(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 August 1, 2023, through September 30, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 4, 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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REST, SO GOD CAN WORK - One Bread, One Body, 08/05/2023

Saturday, August 5, 2023, Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major

Leviticus 25:1, 8-17
Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 7-8
Matthew 14:1-12

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REST, SO GOD CAN WORK
"In this fiftieth year, your year of jubilee, you shall not sow, nor shall you reap the aftergrowth or pick the grapes from the untrimmed vines." —Leviticus 25:11

Scripture scholars tell us that the Israelites rarely observed the Jubilee Year. The Israelites were commanded to let the land and their work rest for a year every fifty years (see Lv 25:8-15). God promised to multiply the fruits of the land so that the people could be blessed during the Jubilee Year (see Lv 25:6). The generosity of the Year of Jubilee challenged the rich and powerful, who stood to lose both lands and money (see Lv 25:13ff).

It is a challenge for us human beings to be still and know that the Lord is God (see Ps 46:11). We struggle to move off the throne of our life and let God be our “only Ruler” (1 Tm 6:15).

Do we ever rest and let the Lord work? It’s not automatic or easy; we must “strive to enter into [God’s] rest” (Heb 4:11). Jesus’ very mission on earth was to call humanity to an eternal year of Jubilee, a time of favor from the Lord (see Lk 4:19). A key element of the Jubilee Year is to rest and let the Lord God do His work, staying out of His way and allowing His order to take over. For example, Sunday is the Lord’s Day, a day of rest (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2184-2188).

Can you rest and let the Lord bless you? God wants to overwhelm you with blessings (Dt 28:2). Allow Him to do His work of blessing. Rest in Him and let him work. Rest in Him so He can work through you.

Prayer: Jesus, You invite me to come to You and rest (Mt 11:28-29). Make me lie down and rest so You can work (Ps 23:2).

Promise: "The earth has yielded its fruits; God, our God, has blessed us." —Ps 67:7

Praise: Ralph converted to the Catholic faith because he was repeatedly touched by the prophetic messages of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

(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 August 1, 2023, through September 30, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 4, 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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CELEBRATE GOD’S LOVE - One Bread, One Body, 08/04/2023

Friday, August 4, 2023, St. John Mary Vianney

Leviticus 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34-37
Psalm 81:3-6, 10-11
Matthew 13:54-58

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CELEBRATE GOD'S LOVE
"These, then, are the festivals of the Lord which you shall celebrate at their proper time with a sacred assembly." —Leviticus 23:4

The Lord has created us to celebrate His love. In the midst of our life of celebration, the Lord calls us to come together repeatedly for special seasons of celebration. The Church year begins with the celebration of the Advent and Christmas seasons. In the new covenant, we also celebrate the Day of Atonement (see Lv 23:27) on Good Friday, the day Jesus atoned for all the sins which have been or will be committed. Good Friday is the center of the Triduum, the three most important days of the liturgical year. The Triduum is preceded by the celebration of Lent and followed by our greatest celebration, the Easter season, which St. Athanasius called the “fifty-day Sunday.” The Easter season is seven weeks concluding with the Feast of Weeks, that is, Pentecost (see Lv 23:15ff).

We should also be celebrating the holy days and the feasts of Mary and the other saints. We should celebrate our baptismal anniversaries even more than we celebrate our birthdays. Most especially, we should celebrate each Sunday “as the foremost holy day of obligation in the universal Church” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2177).

The Lord calls us to be caught up in “the liturgical worship of the Church” (Vatican II, Laity, 11). We have been created to celebrate together God’s love forever. Celebrate!

Prayer: Father, deepen my faith and love so that they will produce joy and celebration.

Promise: "Take up a melody, and sound the timbrel, the pleasant harp and the lyre. Blow the trumpet at the new moon, at the full moon, on our solemn feast; for it is a statute in Israel, an ordinance of the God of Jacob." —Ps 81:3-5

Praise: St. John Vianney frequently spent eleven hours per day in the confessional bringing sinners back to God.



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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 August 1, 2023, through September 30, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 4, 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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CREATED TO WORSHIP HIM FOREVER - One Bread, One Body, 08/03/2023

Thursday, August 3, 2023,

Exodus 40:16-21, 34-38
Psalm 84:3-6, 8, 11
Matthew 13:47-53

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CREATED TO WORSHIP HIM FOREVER
"On the first day of the first month of the second year the Dwelling was erected. It was Moses who erected the Dwelling." —Exodus 40:17-18

The grand finale of the book of Exodus is the completion of the Dwelling, the place on earth where God was most powerfully and intimately present. The plagues led to the Exodus, leading to the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea. This was followed by Moses’ reception of the divine Law on Mt. Sinai. This finally culminated in the construction of the Dwelling.

The goal of life is to enter into God’s presence most deeply and to worship Him forever in heaven. The plagues, miracles, and laws of our lives are not random. They are ordered to bring us into the holy of holies of God’s presence to worship Him. We exist “to praise His glory” (Eph 1:12).

Have you focused your life on worshipping God? Do you do “good deeds” and share what you have (Heb 13:16) so as to “continually offer God a sacrifice of praise”? (Heb 13:15) Have you offered “your bodies as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God, your spiritual worship”? (Rm 12:1) You are alive today to worship the Lord. Worship is the goal of your life and the essence of eternity at God’s throne in heaven. Worship Him “in Spirit and truth” (Jn 4:23).

Prayer: Father, more and more make the desire of my heart to worship You.

Promise: "Angels will go out and separate the wicked from the just and hurl the wicked into the fiery furnace." —Mt 13:49-50

Praise: By the grace of God, Rachel returned to Confession after an absence of forty years.

(For a related teaching on Evangelization and Worship, 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 August 1, 2023, through September 30, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 4, 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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RADIANT WITH GOD - One Bread, One Body, 08/02/2023

Wednesday, August 2, 2023, St. Eusebius of Vercelli
St. Peter Julian Eymard

Exodus 34:29-35
Psalm 99:5-7, 9
Matthew 13:44-46
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RADIANT WITH GOD
"The Israelites would see that the skin of Moses' face was radiant." —Exodus 34:35

Everyone could see the Lord radiate through Moses, though Moses did not know he was glowing (Ex 34:29-35). Everybody could see that Moses was valuable to God and to humanity. But an empty field with buried treasure (see Mt 13:44), as Jesus describes in today’s gospel passage, does not readily appear to be valuable, nor does it radiate beauty, value, and importance. A person who sells all to buy an empty field of apparent low value looks not radiant, but foolish.

Jesus does tell us to let our light shine before men (Mt 5:16), but in a humble way. Our job is to listen daily to the Lord in prayer (Lk 10:39). Daily Mass is a wonderful way to do this. Just like being exposed daily to nuclear radiation would make us “glow” with nuclear energy, much more so will receiving the Holy Eucharist make us radiant with God’s grace and joy. After spending daily time with the Lord listening to Him, the change in us becomes noticeable to others. We humble ourselves so it is God alone Who shines through us. We decrease so He may increase (Jn 3:30).

Humble yourself before the Lord, that He may exalt you and shine through you. Radiate His presence so others might give God glory (Mt 5:16). “Look to Him that you may be radiant with joy” (Ps 34:6).

Prayer: Father, Your Word says that in Your light I "shall be radiant at what" I see (Is 60:5). Shine through me so that when others look at me, they see only You.

Promise: "Extol the Lord, our God, and worship at His footstool; holy is He!" —Ps 99:5

Praise: St. Eusebius stood up for the truths of the faith. He persevered in his stand even though his opponents threatened his life, dragged him through city streets, and held him in prison.

(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 One Bread, One Body covering the period August 1, 2023 through September 30, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 4, 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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