SHOCKED BACK TO LIFE - One Bread, One Body, 04/08/2024

Monday, April 8, 2024, Annunciation

Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10
Hebrews 10:4-10
Psalm 40:7-11
Luke 1:26-38
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SHOCKED BACK TO LIFE
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you." —Luke 1:35

Why would the all-holy God become a man? (see 2 Cor 5:21) To Muslims and Jews, it seems blasphemous to suggest that the Supreme Being became a tiny embryo implanted in the wall of Mary’s uterus. Why would the Creator become a creature? “How can this be?” (Lk 1:34)

Jesus’ Incarnation should blow our minds. This will result either in confusion or in fear of the Lord. If we accept the Spirit’s gift of fear of the Lord, we will begin to have wisdom (Ps 111:10). We will realize that God is so holy, He is beyond our concepts of holiness. We will wisely see that we are so fallen that only the incarnate, crucified, and risen God can save us from our sins against Him (see Eph 1:7).

If we begin to understand that the Incarnation is a mystery, we will be wise enough to worship, obey, and serve Jesus with abandon. We will receive the Incarnate Jesus in Holy Communion as often as possible. We will tell the world about Him. We will never be the same. We will be shocked out of selfishness and into reality.

Prayer: Father, "let it be done to me as You say" (Lk 1:38).

Promise: "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with Child, and bear a Son, and shall name Him Immanuel." —Is 7:14

Praise: Praise You, Jesus, incarnate Word. Praise You, Jesus, incarnate love in wondrous humility. Alleluia!

(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, 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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FEEDER SYSTEMS - One Bread, One Body, 04/07/2024

Sunday, April 7, 2024, Divine Mercy Sunday

Acts 4:32-35
1 John 5:1-6
Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24
John 20:19-31
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FEEDER SYSTEMS
"A week later, the disciples were once more in the room, and this time Thomas was with them. Despite the locked doors, Jesus came." —John 20:26

We have a Church full of doubting Thomases. As St. Thomas later became a great missionary and martyr, so these doubting Thomases today are called to renew the face of the earth in the power of the Holy Spirit (see Ps 104:30). However, they must first be transformed from having little faith to having strong faith.

We have a Church full of fearful disciples. These Christians acknowledge that Jesus is risen. However, because these disciples are locked in fear (see Jn 20:19), the doubting Thomases of the Church find it difficult to believe the fearful disciples. Fear feeds doubt, and doubt makes us more susceptible to fear, which makes our doubts worse, trapping us in greater fears and uncertainties.

Jesus broke this most vicious cycle by personally challenging Thomas’ doubts and leading Him to faith. When Thomas cried out: “My Lord and my God” (Jn 20:28), he prepared the way for the reception of the Holy Spirit by Jesus’ disciples at Pentecost. The Holy Spirit is not a spirit of fear but of faith (see 2 Tm 1:7). Thus, after fully receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Jesus’ disciples were fearless in leading others to faith, fearlessness, and greater faith. Fearlessness feeds faith.

Because you are alive, you are either in a cycle of fear and doubt or a cycle of fearlessness and faith. On this last day of the octave of Easter, come to the risen Jesus. He will put you in the cycle leading to eternal life.

Prayer: Father, in Your mercy, challenge me to repent.

Promise: "Who, then, is conqueror of the world? The one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." —1 Jn 5:5

Praise: Praise be to You, Lord God! You are "rich in mercy" (Eph 2:4). Alleluia!



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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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GOING TO EXTREMES - One Bread, One Body, 04/06/2024

Saturday, April 6, 2024, Easter Saturday

Acts 4:13-21
Psalm 118:1, 14-21
Mark 16:9-15

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GOING TO EXTREMES
Jesus "took them to task for their disbelief and their stubbornness." —Mark 16:14

After Jesus’ Resurrection, Mary Magdalene “went to announce the good news to His followers” (Mk 16:10). Yet “they refused to believe it” (Mk 16:11). “Later on, as two of them were walking along on their way to the country, He was revealed to them” (Mk 16:12). Yet when they announced the Good News of Jesus’ Resurrection, the apostles “put no more faith in them than in Mary Magdalene” (Mk 16:13). Jesus, in His mercy, did not want His apostles to miss out another time on His Resurrection. So “as they were at table, Jesus was revealed to the Eleven. He took them to task for their disbelief and their stubbornness” (Mk 16:14).

The crucified and risen Jesus does not want us to miss out on His Resurrection and eternal life. Therefore, He:

• reprimands us (Mk 16:14),
• encourages us to repent (Mk 1:15, RSV-CE),
• warns us of damnation (Mk 16:16),
• commands us to proclaim to all creation the Good News of His Resurrection (Mk 16:15),
• calls His disciples to pray constantly, fast for the salvation of the world, and suffer redemptively for the salvation of unbelievers (see Mt 17:21, NAB),
• calls some of His disciples to be martyred (see Mk 8:35),
• sends Mary to wake up unbelievers before it is too late, and
• gives His Body and Blood to us (Lk 22:19-20).

Jesus is risen, and He has gone to extremes to help us believe in Him and thereby receive eternal life with Him. May Jesus’ saving death, glorious Resurrection, and abounding graces not be in vain for any one of us.

Prayer: Father, let me never miss an opportunity to help someone love You.

Promise: "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight for us to obey you rather than God." —Acts 4:19

Praise: Praise Jesus, Who is with us along the Way.



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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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“I HAVE COME TO CALL SINNERS” (Mk 2:17) - One Bread, One Body, 04/05/2024

Friday, April 5, 2024 , Easter Friday

Acts 4:1-12
Psalm 118:1-2, 4, 22-27
John 21:1-14

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"I HAVE COME TO CALL SINNERS" (Mk 2:17)
"There is no salvation in anyone else, for there is no other name in the whole world given to men by which we are to be saved." —Acts 4:12

Jesus, by His death and Resurrection, has saved us (see Ti 3:5). To accept the grace of salvation, we must believe in Jesus (Eph 2:8). We must also admit our need to be saved. We all have sinned (Rm 3:23), and we are unable to atone for even one of our sins, because the effects of any sin are very serious and destructive. Therefore, to admit our need for salvation, we must begin to realize the enormity of our sins and admit our guilt. If we suppress guilt, deny it, or become so inhuman as to be incapable of feeling guilt, we will never accept Jesus as our Savior, because we have not accepted the need for salvation.

Therefore, St. Peter preached a message of guilt along with the message of salvation. He confronted the religious leaders: “You crucified” Jesus (Acts 4:10). “You the builders” rejected the Cornerstone (Acts 4:11); “You even made use of pagans to crucify and kill Him” (Acts 2:23). “You handed over and disowned [Jesus] in Pilate’s presence when Pilate was ready to release Him. You disowned the Holy and Just One and preferred instead to be granted the release of a murderer. You put to death the Author of life” (Acts 3:13-15).

Go on a short guilt trip. Admit your sinful part in Jesus’ crucifixion and death (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 598). The destination of your guilt trip is repentance, salvation, and new life in the risen Christ.

Prayer: Father, make me healthy enough to feel guilty, and give me faith to be saved.

Promise: "So they made a cast, and took so many fish they could not haul the net in." —Jn 21:6

Praise: Praise the risen Jesus, the living Word of God! (Heb 4:12; Jn 1:1)



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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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RISEN AND REAL - One Bread, One Body, 04/04/2024

Thursday, April 4, 2024, Easter Thursday

Acts 3:11-26
Psalm 8:2, 5-9
Luke 24:35-48

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RISEN AND REAL
"They gave Him a piece of cooked fish, which He took and ate in their presence." —Luke 24:42-43

Two things stand out in the Resurrection accounts in the Gospels:

1)      Numerous verbs refer to the human senses: touching (Jn 20:27; Lk 24:39), walking (Mk 16:12), eating (Lk 24:43), seeing (Lk 24:39-40) and breathing (Jn 20:22). The Gospel writers are stating that Resurrection from the dead is not merely a spiritual concept; it is a concrete reality.

2)      The post-Resurrection greeting is: “Peace be with you” (Jn 20:19, 21; Lk 24:36). This shalom-peace is not merely an idea, it is a risen reality. Shalom indicates a world ordered properly under God. Now that Jesus is risen from the dead, shalom-peace is actually possible.

The peace God gives is beyond human achievement. No one can take away this peace, not even persecutors. It is God’s peace, which has no limits. It is beyond understanding (Phil 4:7).

The Resurrection of Jesus is dynamite. Plug into the reality of Jesus’ risen life. Ask the risen Jesus to touch you and fill you with His risen power. Alleluia!

Prayer: Father, may Jesus' Resurrection be so real to me that I respond by changing my entire lifestyle.

Promise: "Therefore, reform your lives! Turn to God, that your sins may be wiped away!" —Acts 3:19

Praise: Jesus is risen! "This is the day the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it" (Ps 118:24). Alleluia!

(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(Do you want to live your faith boldly, without fear? Attend a Life in the Spirit Seminar, April 19-21. St. Paul said: "The Spirit God has given us is no cowardly Spirit, but rather one that makes us strong, loving, and wise" (see 2 Tm 1:7). Call 513-373-2397 or see www.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 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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MOVING EXPERIENCES - One Bread, One Body, 04/03/2024

Wednesday, April 3, 2024, Easter Wednesday

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

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MOVING EXPERIENCES
"The people saw him moving and giving praise to God." —Acts 3:9

The Lord told the prophet Ezekiel to wade through fields of dry bones (Ez 37:1ff). These bones represented the state of the chosen people, Israel. Then, the Lord told Ezekiel to prophesy over the bones. The bones began to rattle. This symbolized the Israelite nation beginning to rise from the dead. When something moves that can’t move, it may be a sign of the Resurrection.

Sts. Peter and John healed a forty-year-old man who had been paralyzed from birth (Acts 3:7; 4:22). When this man who couldn’t move moved, ran, and jumped, it was a sign of the Resurrection.

The two disciples on the road to Emmaus were mentally and spiritually paralyzed. Jesus said they had “little sense” and were slow to believe (Lk 24:25), but soon afterward their hearts burned and their eyes were opened (Lk 24:31-32). This interior movement was a sign and experience of the Resurrection. They ran back to Jerusalem to tell the Good News.

Which bones need to rattle in your life? In what ways are you paralyzed? What doesn’t move in your life? When you make a move to speak up for Jesus for the first time on your job, start praying with your spouse as never before, go to Confession for the first time in a long time, move away from staring at the TV, avert your eyes from your handheld electronic device, go to Mass during the week, read the Bible daily, etc., these movements are signs of Jesus’ Resurrection. Get moving!

Prayer: Father, move me.

Promise: "Then they recounted what had happened on the road and how they had come to know Him in the breaking of bread." —Lk 24:35

Praise: Praise the risen Jesus, Who brings healing and life (Jn 10:10).

(For a related teaching on Risen Life, view, download or order our leaflet or listen to, download or order our CD 4A and CD 4B or DVD 4A and DVD 4B 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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JESUS, MY BROTHER - One Bread, One Body, 04/02/2024

Tuesday, April 2, 2024, Easter Tuesday

Acts 2:36-41
Psalm 33:4-5, 18-20, 22
John 20:11-18

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JESUS, MY BROTHER
"Go to My brothers..." —John 20:17

The above verse is the first time in the Gospels that Jesus specifically calls His apostles “brothers.” God the Father can now become the Father of the apostles, and of us, because He will now be able to give them the Holy Spirit due to Jesus’ Resurrection (Jn 16:7). The Spirit “proceeds from the Father and the Son” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 246; cf Jn 14:16, 26). Thus Jesus, Who ascends to His Father, knows that His disciples can be re-born as God’s children (see Jn 3:5), and therefore, literally be His brothers and sisters, children of the same Father. The apostles had done the will of God and were trying their best to remain together as His community. And so Jesus rewarded them by telling them that His Father and God is their Father and God (Jn 20:17). What a privilege to be able to call the God Who created the universe our Father!

When we carry our crosses and follow Jesus, He has blessings in store for us that make us consider the sufferings we must endure as nothing (Rm 8:18). Pope Francis has spoken of Christians who choose to live a “Lent without Easter” existence. He meant that they focus on various aspects of the Christian life, such as the cross, suffering, and renunciation, but neglect to rejoice and be glad in the risen life Jesus came to inaugurate. The Pope said that these Christians don’t let the joy of the risen Jesus transform their hearts or smiles. They aren’t receiving their reward in full (see 2 Jn 8).

Be Jesus’ brother or sister. Be a child of the Father. Rejoice and be glad in the risen Savior. Jesus is risen. Alleluia!

Prayer: "I have seen the Lord!" (Jn 20:18)

Promise: "You will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." —Acts 2:38

Praise: Praise the risen Jesus! "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" (1 Cor 15:55) Alleluia forever!

(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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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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