LIVING AND DYING IN SIN? - One Bread, One Body, 03/24/2026

Tuesday, March 24, 2026,

Numbers 21:4-9
Psalm 102:2-3, 16-21
John 8:21-30
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LIVING AND DYING IN SIN?
"You belong to what is below; I belong to what is above. You belong to this world — a world which cannot hold Me. That is why I said you would die in your sins." —John 8:23-24

The worst tragedy in life is not only to sin but to die in our sins (Jn 8:21). Jesus warns that we will “surely die” in our sins unless we believe that He is God (Jn 8:24). Because Jesus is God, He, by His death on the cross, has the power to free us from our sins. Because Jesus is God, Jesus has the authority to forgive our sins (see Mk 2:7, 10). Because Jesus is God, we must confess our sins to Him and forgive others, as He has told us (Mt 6:12). We must believe that Jesus is God, the great I AM, or we are doomed to die in our sins.

We believe Jesus is God because He was lifted up on the cross, in His Resurrection, and at His Ascension to the right hand of the Father (see Jn 8:28). Jesus promised: “And I — once I am lifted up from earth — will draw all men to Myself” (Jn 12:32). On Palm Sunday, throughout Holy Week, at the Chrism Mass, at the Mass of the Last Supper, and on Good Friday, see Jesus lifted up. Let Him draw you to Himself. May your faith be strengthened so that you will make the greatest and total act of faith on Easter Vigil or Easter Sunday. Believe in Jesus’ divinity with all your heart. Then you will not die — or live — in your sins.

Prayer: Father, graciously hear the prayer of Mary "now and at the hour" of my death.

Promise: "Whenever anyone who had been bitten by a serpent looked at the bronze serpent, he recovered." —Nm 21:9

Praise: Touched by the glory of the resurrected Jesus on Easter, Ruth began to regularly receive the Sacraments again.

(For a related teaching on Effects of Sin, listen to, download or order AV 81-3 or V 81 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 1, 2026, through March 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio August 27, 2025"

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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SPARED - One Bread, One Body, 03/23/2026

Monday, March 23, 2026, St. Toribio de Mogrovejo

Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62
Psalm 23:1-6
John 8:1-11

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SPARED
"Thus was innocent blood spared that day." —Daniel 13:62

Innocent blood was spared for Susanna (Dn 13:62). Innocent blood was not spared in Jesus’ case, so that we might be spared. Guilty blood was not spared for the two wicked elders (Dn 13:61-62), but guilty blood was spared for the woman caught in the act of adultery (Jn 8:1ff). Our own guilty blood was spared, for God “did not spare His own Son but handed Him over for the sake of us all” (Rm 8:32).

The Israelites were spared at the first Passover by the blood of the Lamb sprinkled on their doorposts (Ex 12:7). They were to speak these words at every Passover observance: “This is the Passover sacrifice of the Lord, Who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt; when He struck down the Egyptians, He spared our houses” (Ex 12:27). This is key: We are spared by the Blood of the Lamb of God sprinkled on our hearts.

“And when I think that God, His Son not sparing, sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in, that on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin” (from the hymn, How Great Thou Art).

Jesus’ mission is to spare us from the fate our sins have warranted. We are spared from hell by accepting His mercy. Our mission is to spare no effort to lead as many souls as possible to Jesus.

Prayer: Father, I devote my life to loving and serving Jesus.

Promise: "Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come." —Ps 23:6

Praise: St. Toribio, bishop of Peru, is the patron of native peoples' rights and of the Latin American bishops.

(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 1, 2026, through March 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio August 27, 2025"

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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RISE AND HEAR - One Bread, One Body, 03/22/2026

Sunday, March 22, 2026, Fifth Sunday of Lent

Ezekiel 37:12-14
Romans 8:8-11
Psalm 130:1-8
John 11:1-45
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RISE AND HEAR
"I will open your graves and have you rise from them." —Ezekiel 37:12

The context of today’s first reading is a passage about God raising dry bones to life (Ez 37:1-11). Our churches are missing well over half of registered Catholics each Sunday, according to research. Moreover, many who actually attend Mass are spiritually deaf and unable to clearly hear the Word of God.

Perhaps the Lord allows so many dead, dry bones in His Body, the Church, because death is not the end, but the beginning of new life. Death is a seed falling to the ground and dying so it might bear great fruit (Jn 12:24).

Why did Jesus wait four days to raise Lazarus? (Jn 11:17) He said it was so that the crowd could hear His words and then believe that the Father sent Jesus (Jn 11:42). God’s Word also reveals that the Lord waits so none may perish and all would have the chance to hear, repent, and be saved (2 Pt 3:9, 15).

All sin leads to death (see Rm 6:23). The Sacrament of Confession enables those who are dead in sin to find new life in Christ. How dry we are! (see Ez 37:3) May we repent, hear God’s Word clearly, and rise from the death of sin to new, risen life in Jesus.

Prayer: Father, raise me from my dullness to risen life in Your Son, Jesus.

Promise: "If the Spirit of Him Who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, then He Who raised Christ from the dead will bring your mortal bodies to life also, through His Spirit dwelling in you." —Rm 8:11

Praise: Praise You, Jesus! You triumph over sin and death, and offer eternal life in heaven to all who believe in You (see Jn 3:36).

(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(For a related teaching on Meeting the Risen Christ, listen to, download or order our AV 4A-1 or V 4A 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 1, 2026, through March 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio August 27, 2025"

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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FACE-TO-FACE WITH JESUS - One Bread, One Body, 03/21/2026

Saturday, March 21, 2026,

Jeremiah 11:18-20
Psalm 7:2-3, 9-12
John 7:40-53

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FACE-TO-FACE WITH JESUS
"No man ever spoke like that before." —John 7:46

Jesus “asked His disciples this question: ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ ” (Mt 16:13) In today’s Gospel reading, some said Jesus was the Prophet; others said He was the Messiah (Jn 7:40-41). However, talking about Jesus doesn’t necessarily lead us to Jesus. Rather, we need to talk to Jesus or, even better, let Jesus talk to us. For example, the guards sent to arrest Jesus returned empty-handed and said: “No man ever spoke like that before” (Jn 7:46). Nicodemus, who had met Jesus personally (see Jn 3:1ff), encouraged the court of the Sanhedrin first to hear Jesus rather than blindly condemning Him (Jn 7:51). We don’t come to Jesus by taking a poll to see who people say Jesus is. We need to say with St. Paul: “I assure you, brothers, the gospel I proclaimed to you is no mere human invention. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I schooled in it. It came by revelation from Jesus Christ” (Gal 1:11-12).

What if you were having an animated discussion with someone about the identity and authenticity of a third party? What if that third party was present hearing your discussion? Wouldn’t it make sense to quit talking about the third party and talk directly to him? Let’s hear, speak with, obey, and serve Jesus. Let us hear the voice of Jesus through His Body, the Church, and especially in her Scriptures. Let’s live sacramental lives and relate directly to Jesus, the eternal High Priest.

Information about Jesus is not enough. We need a deep, intimate relationship with Him forever.

Prayer: Father, may I burn with love for Jesus.

Promise: "A Shield before me is God, Who saves the upright of heart; a just Judge is God." —Ps 7:11-12

Praise: Fr. Peter gave his life to Jesus in his priestly vocation, joyfully spending over sixty years as a priest.



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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 1, 2026, through March 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio August 27, 2025"

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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THE PASSION BEHIND THE PASSION - One Bread, One Body, 03/20/2026

Friday, March 20, 2026,

Wisdom 2:1, 12-22
Psalm 34:17-21, 23
John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

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THE PASSION BEHIND THE PASSION
"With revilement and torture let us put Him to the test that we may have proof of His gentleness and try His patience. Let us condemn Him to a shameful death." —Wisdom 2:19-20

Two weeks from today will be Good Friday. We will venerate the cross and kiss the wounds of Jesus. We will read again about His sufferings. Will this annual repetition make us more callous to the reality of Calvary or will our hardened hearts be broken? Will we fall down at Jesus’ feet and let Him love us or will it be just another “Good” Friday?

Jesus loves us “passionately.” He became a man and suffered His passion and death as an expression of His love for us. His passion lasted not just three hours but thirty-three years. He was hunted down like a wild animal with hit men “looking for a chance to kill Him” (Jn 7:1). Some people hung on Jesus’ every word while others were gathering evidence with which they would falsely accuse Him. On the first day of His public ministry, the neighbors from His hometown tried to throw Him off a cliff (Lk 4:29-30). His enemies made several attempts to arrest or stone Him (Jn 7:30; 8:59; 10:31).

This is the life Jesus led for months and even years. He didn’t have to, but chose to out of love for you and me. Choose to love Jesus passionately in return.

Prayer: Jesus, You love me more than I love myself. I give my life to You.

Promise: "Let us see whether His words be true; let us find out what will happen to Him. For if the Just One be the Son of God, He will defend Him and deliver Him from the hand of His foes." —Wis 2:17-18

Praise: Focusing on the crucified Christ helps Marcie come out of herself and bring God's mercy to others.

(Set aside some time this summer to grow closer to the Lord. See www.presentationministries.com for our summer schedule of retreats.)

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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 1, 2026, through March 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio August 27, 2025"

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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HEARING IS BELIEVING - One Bread, One Body, 03/19/2026

Thursday, March 19, 2026, St. Joseph

2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14, 16
Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22
Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29
Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24
or Luke 2:41-51
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HEARING IS BELIEVING
"When Joseph awoke he did as the angel of the Lord had directed him and received her into his home as his wife."—Matthew 1:24

We receive God’s grace through faith (Eph 2:8), and we receive faith by hearing God (Rm 10:17). St. Joseph was one of the greatest men of faith in history because he heard and believed God. “The angel of the Lord appeared in a dream” to Joseph and told him that it was “by the Holy Spirit” that his wife conceived Jesus (Mt 1:20). Joseph heard this unprecedented message. Later, the angel of the Lord commanded Joseph to get up and immediately take Jesus and Mary to Egypt (Mt 2:13-14). Joseph also heard this astounding message. Again, Joseph heard the angel of the Lord command him to leave Egypt and take Jesus and Mary back to Israel (Mt 2:19-20). Finally, Joseph heard a warning in another dream to live in Galilee (Mt 2:22).

Because Joseph had great spiritual hearing, he was a great man of faith. We too can choose to hear God. We can develop this capacity given to us at our Baptisms. We do this by repenting, giving our lives to the Lord, hearing God’s Word daily, being quiet daily, and simplifying our lifestyles (see Jn 8:47; 18:37). Jesus said: “Let him who has ears to hear Me, hear!” (Mk 4:9)

Prayer: Jesus, put Your fingers into my ears and open them (Mk 7:33-34).

Promise: "Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before Me; your throne shall stand firm forever." —2 Sm 7:16

Praise: Simon prayed a novena to St. Joseph for a breakthrough in his marriage. Within days, his prayers were answered.

(For a related teaching on Hearing God, 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 February 1, 2026, through March 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio August 27, 2025"

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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SHOW AND TELL - One Bread, One Body, 03/18/2026

Wednesday, March 18, 2026, St. Cyril of Jerusalem

Isaiah 49:8-15
Psalm 145:8-9, 13-14, 17-18
John 5:17-30

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SHOW AND TELL
"The Father loves the Son and everything the Father does He shows Him." —John 5:20

A home-schooling father once quoted the above Scripture verse in a talk to a group of fathers. He said that, as a father, he has tried to imitate God the Father by loving his sons and daughters and showing them everything he does, as much as possible.

God delivered King Hezekiah from terminal illness and granted him fifteen extra years of life (Is 38:5). Hezekiah seemed to understand God’s purpose for his extra years, saying: “Fathers declare to their sons, O God, Your faithfulness” (Is 38:19). Three years later, he fathered a son named Manasseh (see 2 Kgs 21:1). Hezekiah had twelve years left to live, but he put his energies into his projects. He proudly showed his political allies everything (see 2 Kgs 20:13, 15). Sadly, he didn’t show much or “declare God’s faithfulness” to his young son. Hezekiah died, and Manasseh took over the kingdom at age twelve (2 Kgs 21:1). This boy was king for fifty-five years, and was one of the most evil kings Israel ever had (2 Kgs 21:11, 16). By contrast, St. Joseph quietly spent His life loving his Foster-Son Jesus and showing Him everything he did. Jesus grew up to be the greatest “King of the Jews” (Jn 19:19), the King of kings (Rv 19:16).

“Fathers, do not anger your children” (Eph 6:4). It’s tempting for a father to take the easy way out and yell at his children. Instead, fathers are called to invest their lives patiently bringing their children “up with the training and instruction befitting the Lord” (Eph 6:4). Fathers are not to nag children, since they might lose heart (Col 3:21). A child wants his father to show him the ropes not just pawn him off on a “how-to” video.

Whatever the father does, the son does likewise (see Jn 5:19).

Prayer: Lord, turn the hearts of fathers to their children (Mal 3:24).

Promise: "The Lord comforts His people." —Is 49:13

Praise: St. Cyril of Jerusalem, a Doctor of the Church, successfully defended the doctrine of the divinity of Jesus.

(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 1, 2026, through March 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio August 27, 2025"

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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