TO GET SPIRITUAL OUTPUT, PUT OUT - One Bread, One Body, 07/08/2024

Monday, July 8, 2024,

Hosea 2:16-18, 21-22
Psalm 145:2-9
Matthew 9:18-26

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TO GET SPIRITUAL OUTPUT, PUT OUT
"When the crowd had been put out He entered..."—Matthew 9:25

As the prophet Hosea says, God plans to woo us into the desert (Hos 2:16). The din of the world must be ejected from our lives so we can hear God in the silence and respond to His love (Hos 2:17). Today’s Gospel shows that once the din of the crowd had been “put out,” healing and resurrection could take place in an atmosphere of faith (Mt 9:23ff).

What do you need to remove from your life today? Is it your TV or handheld electronic device? Is it a cynical mindset, a judgmental attitude, or even friendships which lead you away from the Lord? (see 1 Cor 15:33) Until we discard all the clutter, we will not be traveling light enough to walk with Jesus.

“Have no love for the world, nor the things that the world affords. If anyone loves the world, the Father’s love has no place in him, for nothing that the world affords comes from the Father. Carnal allurements, enticements for the eye, the life of empty show — all these are from the world. And the world with its seductions is passing away” (1 Jn 2:15-17). Get rid of all that leads you away from the Lord (Mt 9:25). Then “put out” into the deep, trusting fully in Jesus (Lk 5:4).

Prayer: Jesus, I surrender all to You. I ask You to take from me what I cannot yet give fully to You. Grant me an insatiable desire to place my life into Your hands.

Promise: "The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness." —Ps 145:8

Praise: Dan was drawn to follow Jesus more closely when he observed the love and joy of God in a fellow teen. Shortly after, Dan began volunteering with a ministry to young adults.

(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(Let the Holy Spirit be your guide on your journey to become a Bible Teacher. This retreat is offered July 15-18 at our Guadalupe Discipleship Retreat Center. Call 513-373-2397 or 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 June 1, 2024, through July 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio October 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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“FOLLOW THE SPIRIT’S LEAD” (Gal 5:25) - One Bread, One Body, 07/07/2024

Sunday, July 7, 2024, 14th Sunday Ordinary Time

Ezekiel 2:2-5
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Psalm 123:1-4
Mark 6:1-6
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"FOLLOW THE SPIRIT'S LEAD" (Gal 5:25)
"The Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet." —Ezekiel 2:2

Are circumstances going poorly in your life? Are you being opposed by neighbors, co-workers or family members? (Mk 6:1-6) Are those with whom you live “hard of face” and “obstinate of heart”? (Ez 2:4) Are you weak? (2 Cor 12:9-10) Beg the Lord to pour out the Holy Spirit upon you (Rm 5:5)

When the Holy Spirit comes to us, we are strong (2 Cor 12:10). The Spirit enters into us and sets us on our feet (Ez 2:2). We are weak and simple children (2 Cor 12:9-10), but through the Holy Spirit’s gift of wisdom (Is 11:2), He is wise in us. The Holy Spirit makes the difference. The Spirit sets our feet on a rock (Ps 40:3). He gives us courage (2 Tm 1:7) and words to which no one can take exception (Lk 21:15).

The Church burst into the public arena when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles and disciples in the upper room (Acts 2:2ff). Walls, locked doors, and fear no longer restrain God’s people once they are filled with the Holy Spirit.   

Therefore, beg the Lord for the Holy Spirit (Lk 11:13). Thirst for the Holy Spirit. Stir up the Holy Spirit (2 Tm 1:6-8). Then “follow the Spirit’s lead” (Gal 5:25).

Prayer: Father, Your Son told us to beg You to give us the Holy Spirit (Lk 11:13). I therefore ask You to pour out Your Spirit upon me and seal me in the Spirit (2 Cor 1:22) so I do not leak. Make me a vessel that serves You in all circumstances (2 Tm 2:21; Acts 20:32).

Promise: "My grace is enough for you, for in weakness power reaches perfection." —2 Cor 12:9

Praise: All praise be to You, risen Jesus. Thank You for lavishing the Spirit on me (Ti 3:6).

(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 June 1, 2024, through July 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio October 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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I HOPE SO... - One Bread, One Body, 07/06/2024

Saturday, July 6, 2024, St. Maria Goretti

Amos 9:11-15
Psalm 85:9-14
Matthew 9:14-17

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I HOPE SO...
"I will bring about the restoration of My people." —Amos 9:14

As we have read the prophet Amos in the last few days, the Lord has been very blunt with us and made it clear that the wages of sin is death (Rm 6:23), even a “culture of death.” However, the final word in the book of Amos is not death but hope. The Lord promises to raise up our ruins and rebuild us “as in the days of old” (Am 9:11).

“Yes, days are coming, says the Lord, when the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the vintager, him who sows the seed; the juice of grapes shall drip down the mountains, and all the hills shall run with it. I will bring about the restoration of My people” (Am 9:13-14). “I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe! plans to give you a future full of hope” (Jer 29:11). “In hope we were saved” (Rm 8:24). “And this hope will not leave us disappointed, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us” (Rm 5:5).

In hope, worship “Christ in you, your hope of glory” (Col 1:27). “Venerate the Lord, that is, Christ, in your hearts. Should anyone ask you the reason for this hope of yours, be ever ready to reply” (1 Pt 3:15). In Christ and with Christ in us, we are people and prophets of hope.

Prayer: Father, make my hope so deep that it can be raised so high.

Promise: "When the day comes that the Groom is taken away, then they will fast." —Mt 9:15

Praise: Alexander Serenelli, St. Maria Goretti's murderer, attended her canonization and there gave his life completely to Jesus.

(For a related teaching on Hope, listen to, download or order our CD 70-1 or DVD 70 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 June 1, 2024, through July 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio October 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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STOP THE FAMINE - One Bread, One Body, 07/05/2024

Friday, July 5, 2024, St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria
St. Elizabeth of Portugal

Amos 8:4-6, 9-12
Psalm 119:2, 10, 20, 30, 40, 131
Matthew 9:9-13

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STOP THE FAMINE
"Yes, days are coming, says the Lord God, when I will send famine upon the land: not a famine of bread, or thirst for water, but for hearing the word of the Lord." —Amos 8:11

In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Church teaches that the famine of God’s Word prophesied by Amos is taking place now (Catechism, 2835). Therefore, “Christians must make every effort ‘to proclaim the good news to the poor’ ” (Catechism, 2835; Lk 4:18). This famine can be stopped and even reversed if we lay down our lives to give each other our daily bread of God’s Word (see Mt 6:11; see also Mt 4:4). For example, St. Ignatius of Loyola humbled himself by going to school with little children although he was an adult. He did this to learn to read and to eventually proclaim God’s Word. St. Jerome lived for years in a cave in Bethlehem while he labored to translate the Bible. St. Paul risked his life daily in proclaiming God’s Word (1 Cor 15:31). St. Matthew immediately quit his job and his life of sin to follow Jesus and, later, to write the first book of the New Testament (Mt 9:9).

You can stop the famine of God’s Word if you are willing to die to self. Your death to self will prevent the spiritual and physical deaths of so many others. Be the grain of wheat that falls to the earth and dies (Jn 12:24). You will bear fruit, feed the starving, and stop the famine.

Prayer: Father, may One Bread, One Body help stop and reverse the famine.

Promise: "Matthew got up and followed Him." —Mt 9:9

Praise: St. Anthony Zaccaria gave up his medical practice to serve Jesus as a priest.

(For a related teaching on Be Holy, For I am Holy, 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 June 1, 2024, through July 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio October 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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EXPELLED? - One Bread, One Body, 07/04/2024

Thursday, July 4, 2024,

Amos 7:10-17
Psalm 19:8-11
Matthew 9:1-8

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EXPELLED?
"Off with you!" —Amos 7:12

“Indeed, the Lord God does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants, the prophets” (Am 3:7). Therefore, the Lord showed Amos that God’s people were about to be decimated by starvation due to a plague of locusts (Am 7:1). Amos cried out for God’s mercy and the people were spared (Am 7:2-3). The Lord also showed Amos that God’s people and their land were to be destroyed by fire (Am 7:4). Again, Amos cried out for God’s mercy and the people were spared (Am 7:5-6). Then, after all that Amos had done for the nation, he was thrown out of Bethel (Am 7:12). Amos was expelled from a place that would have been destroyed by fire except for his intervention. He was driven away by a person who may have starved to death except for Amos’ prayer. Amos’ expulsion from Bethel was the height of injustice and ingratitude.

Have you ever been kicked out of your own home, disinherited from your family, thrown out of your church, expelled from a school, or fired from a job? Possibly some of these expulsions have been very unjust. Jesus wants you to forgive those who have kicked you out. He Himself was kicked out of our world when we crucified Him by our sins. Yet Jesus, even when He was being spit at, cursed, insulted, and executed, prayed: “Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing” (Lk 23:34). For love of Jesus, and by His power, forgive.

Prayer: Father, forgive me as I forgive those who have kicked me out and "kicked me in the teeth" (see Mt 6:12).

Promise: "A feeling of awe came over the crowd, and they praised God for giving such authority to men." —Mt 9:8

Praise: Jim delivered a challenging prophecy to a fellow seminarian who had grown lukewarm. The seminarian was hostile and angry for a time, but soon repented and received the Holy Spirit more deeply.

(Spend time with the Lord and be enriched in your faith this summer. See our retreat schedule at 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 June 1, 2024, through July 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio October 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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LIKE A ROCK - One Bread, One Body, 07/03/2024

Wednesday, July 3, 2024, St. Thomas

Ephesians 2:19-22
Psalm 117:1-2
John 20:24-29

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LIKE A ROCK
"You form a building which rises on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the Capstone." —Ephesians 2:20

The Lord specializes in making shaky, unstable, and doubting people into “living stones” (1 Pt 2:5) with rock-like faith, transforming them into pillars of the Church. For instance, Jesus came to doubting Thomas, and before long St. Thomas was crying out: “My Lord and my God!” (Jn 20:28) Jesus took Simon and changed his name to Peter, meaning “Rock” (see Jn 1:42). Peter wasn’t true to his name at first, but, after being confirmed by the Spirit at Pentecost, St. Peter’s faith never failed, and he was able to strengthen his brothers (Lk 22:32).

Jesus met Nathanael, whose prejudice indicated his instability (see Jn 1:46). Before long, Nathanael was professing his faith in Jesus as “the Son of God” and “the King of Israel” (Jn 1:49). When he fled from Calvary  (Mk 14:50), St. Nathanael also faltered in his faith but was finally confirmed by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Sts. Thomas, Peter, and Nathanael, with nine other previously shaky people, became the foundation stones of the Church (Eph 2:20; Rv 21:14; cf Acts 1:26).

Are you shaky in your faith? (see Jn 6:61) Are you able to be manipulated by pressures? Would you be martyred for love of Jesus or give in to fear and selfishness? Ask the Father and Jesus to renew you in your Confirmation by the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Father, may I have the strength to be martyred for love of You.

Promise: "You became a believer because you saw Me. Blest are they who have not seen and have believed." —Jn 20:29

Praise: St. Thomas spread the Good News to India, where he was martyred.

(Live life to the fullest. Join us July 19-21 for the retreat Discipleship, Redemptive Suffering and Mary. Call 513-373-2397 or see www.presentationministries.com for details.)

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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 June 1, 2024, through July 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio October 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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Copyright © Presentation Ministries

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ARE YOU READY TO DIE NOW? - One Bread, One Body, 07/02/2024

Tuesday, July 2, 2024,

Amos 3:1-8; 4:11-12
Psalm 5:4-8
Matthew 8:23-27

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ARE YOU READY TO DIE NOW?
"Prepare to meet your God." —Amos 4:12

The Lord says to all of us: “Put your house in order, for you are about to die” (Is 38:1). Whether your death is tomorrow or twenty years from now, it’s not that far away, and you have no idea when you will die or when Jesus will return and the world end. Therefore, you must have your house in order now. By God’s grace, you must always be prepared to meet God. If you’re not ready to die now, there is no reason to believe that you will be ready later.

Thomas á Kempis, in The Imitation of Christ, taught: “Every action of yours, every thought, should be those of one who expects to die before the day is out. Death would have no great terrors for you if you had a quiet conscience...Then why not keep clear of sin instead of running away from death? If you aren’t fit to face death today, it’s very unlikely you will be tomorrow...” (quoted in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1014).

Therefore, “delay not to forsake sins, neglect it not till you are in distress” (Sir 18:21). “Delay not your conversion to the Lord, put it not off from day to day; for suddenly His wrath flames forth” (Sir 5:8-9). “Now is the acceptable time! Now is the day of salvation!” (2 Cor 6:2) “Prepare to meet your God” (Am 4:12).

Prayer: "Lord, save us! We are lost!" (Mt 8:25)

Promise: " 'What sort of Man is this,' they said, 'that even the winds and the sea obey Him?' " —Mt 8:27

Praise: Jesus healed Elizabeth of breast cancer.

(For a related teaching on Living in Reality, view, download or order our booklet or listen to, download or order our CD 38-1, CD 38-3, CD 39-1, CD 39-3 or DVD 38 and DVD 39 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 June 1, 2024, through July 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio October 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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Copyright © Presentation Ministries

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