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Sunday, November 13, 2011

USE OR LOSE - One Bread, One Body, 11/13/2011

Sunday, November 13, 2011, 33rd Sunday Ordinary Time

Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, Psalm 128:1-5, Matthew 25:14-30
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/111311.cfm

USE OR LOSE

"His master said to him, 'Well done! You are an industrious and reliable servant. Since you were dependable in a small matter I will put you in charge of larger affairs. Come, share your master's joy!' " -Matthew 25:21

The Lord expects us to be good stewards not only of the money He has given us, but also of our time, talents, spiritual gifts, and graces. Our greatest responsibility as stewards is to be "servants of Christ and administrators of the mysteries of God" (1 Cor 4:1). We Christians have been given new life, a new nature, sonship and daughterhood in God's family, the forgiveness of our sins, the indwelling of the Trinity, Jesus' Body and Blood in Holy Communion, the meaning of life, etc. The Lord in His mercy has given us the best and the most. Therefore, we have the greatest responsibilities of any stewards. "When much has been given a man, much will be required of him. More will be asked of a man to whom more has been entrusted" (Lk 12:48).
If we aren't good stewards and don't administer the mysteries the Lord has entrusted to us, if we don't evangelize, telling the Good News of what God has done for us, Jesus promised to take away His graces from us and give them to others (see Mt 25:29). We see this happening as Christians in Europe and the USA lose their faith while new Christians in the third-world are showered with faith, joy, enthusiasm, power, boldness, healings, miracles, and religious vocations. When most first-world Christians failed in good stewardship by not evangelizing, they lost their faith and God poured out His graces on others. However, if we repent and evangelize, we will see God's graces return.

Prayer: Father, I have been given the ultimate. May I evangelize as if my faith depends on it.

Promise: "Let us not be asleep like the rest, but awake and sober!" -1 Thes 5:6

Praise: Praise You, Jesus! You are risen in glory and will come again to raise us from the dead. Alleluia!

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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from October 1, 2011 through November 30, 2011
?Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Bishop-Elect, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 26, 2011 (for 10-1-2011 through 11-29-2011) and May 26, 2011 (for 11-30-2011)

The rescript 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 ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.

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Saturday, November 12, 2011

THE WORD ON DELAY - One Bread, One Body, 11/12/2011

Saturday, November 12, 2011, St. Josaphat

Wisdom 18:14-16; 19:6-9, Psalm 105:2-3, 36-37, 42-43, Luke 18:1-8
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/111211.cfm

THE WORD ON DELAY

"Will He delay long over them, do you suppose?" -Luke 18:7

Because the Lord is outside of time, His perspective on timing is far different than ours (see 2 Pt 3:8; Is 55:8-9). In our humanity, we might "consider it 'delay' " on God's part (2 Pt 3:9) when it seems He's doing nothing. However, if God seems to be moving slowly or not at all, it's because He is showing "generous patience" (2 Pt 3:9) either to us or for the sake of others. If He "delays, wait for" Him (Hab 2:3), because He "will not be late" and "will not disappoint" (Hab 2:3). We must continue to pray always (Lk 18:1), never wavering in faith (Lk 18:8) and never losing heart (Lk 18:1).
We don't want God to delay, but we hold ourselves to a different standard. So God turns the tables on us and warns us:
* "Delay not" in keeping your promises to God (Eccl 5:3), especially your baptismal promises to reject sin and believe in the Triune God and the faith of the Church.
* "Delay not your conversion to the Lord, put it not off from day to day" (Sir 5:8).
* "Delay not to forsake sins" (Sir 18:21). Repent now!
* "Delay not" to tithe and give alms to the poor (Sir 4:3).

The Church year ends in two weeks. Have you delayed doing God's will all year? "Why delay, then?" (Acts 22:16) Now is the time (2 Cor 6:2) to stop delaying and start delivering. God can save the best for last (Jn 2:10). Get moving! "Delay not!"

Prayer: Father, I've wasted enough of this year and my life on pleasures (1 Pt 4:3). Give me an urgency based on faith in You.

Promise: "He led forth His people with joy; with shouts of joy, His chosen ones." -Ps 105:43

Praise: St. Josaphat worked tirelessly against schism until he was martyred trying to maintain unity in his Ukrainian diocese (see Jn 11:51-52).

(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)

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Friday, November 11, 2011

FOR NATURE LOVERS - One Bread, One Body, 11/11/2011

Friday, November 11, 2011, St. Martin of Tours

Wisdom 13:1-9, Psalm 19:2-5, Luke 17:26-37
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/111111.cfm

FOR NATURE LOVERS

"For if they so far succeeded in knowledge that they could speculate about the world, how did they not more quickly find its Lord?" -Wisdom 13:9

Many people are nature-lovers. They are impressed by the "might and energy" (Wis 13:4), "the greatness and the beauty of created things" (Wis 13:5), such as "fire, or wind, or the swift air, or the circuit of the stars, or the mighty water, or the luminaries of heaven" (Wis 13:2).
Nature-lovers will either become idol worshippers or true worshippers. From studying the works of creation we should discern the Creator (Wis 13:1). "For from the greatness and the beauty of created things their original Author, by analogy, is seen" (Wis 13:5). However, if we don't worship the God of creation, we will worship creation as god.
"Since the creation of the world, invisible realities, God's eternal power and divinity, have become visible, recognized through the things He has made. Therefore these men are inexcusable. They certainly had knowledge of God, yet they did not glorify Him as God or give Him thanks; they stultified themselves through speculating to no purpose, and their senseless hearts were darkened" (Rm 1:20-21). "These men...exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator" (Rm 1:25). When nature-lovers become nature-worshippers, they become spiritually blind, foolish, and perverted (Rm 1:22, 24). May all nature-lovers also be God-lovers and true worshippers.

Prayer: Father, may all those in "New Age" spirituality repent and be freed.

Promise: "Whoever tries to preserve his life will lose it; whoever loses it will keep it." -Lk 17:33

Praise: St. Martin strove to do the right thing his entire life and was used by God because of his great zeal. He spent the last eleven years of his life in humble toil, preparing for glory.

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Thursday, November 10, 2011

"ALWAYS PREPARED" - One Bread, One Body, 11/10/2011

Read our booklet entitled "Living in Reality, The Key to Building a New Life in the Spirit". Holy Spirit helps us to understand Your truths and Your realities.

http://www.presentationministries.com/brochures/LivingInReality.asp
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Thursday, November 10, 2011, Pope St. Leo the Great

Wisdom 7:22-8:1, Psalm 119:89-91, 130, 135, 175, Luke 17:20-25
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/111011.cfm

"ALWAYS PREPARED"

"Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the reign of God would come, [Jesus] replied..." -Luke 17:20

At the end of the world, there will be terrible suffering. Jesus said: "A time will come when you will long to see one day of the Son of Man but will not see it" (Lk 17:22). "Those times will be more distressful than any between God's work of creation and now" (Mk 13:19).
At the end of the world, many will be confused. "They will tell you He is to be found in this place or that. Do not go running about excitedly" (Lk 17:23). There will be a mass apostasy from faith in the Lord (2 Thes 2:3).
The end of the end will come very quickly. "The Son of Man in His day will be like the lightning that flashes from one end of the sky to the other" (Lk 17:24; see also Lk 17:31).
Whether or not we are alive for the end of the world, it's likely that our future holds great sufferings, times of confusion, and unexpected changes. Therefore, we all need to develop a deep, totally committed, personal relationship with the Lord that is strong enough to withstand anything, even terrible sufferings. We also need to be confirmed in our understanding of the Bible and the teachings of the Church. In times of confusion, we desperately need to be clear about the Truth. Finally, we must not delay doing what the Lord calls us to do. At the end, events will be happening so quickly, we won't have time to do anything. Therefore, we must do it now. Believe, repent, forgive, give, witness, obey, serve, etc. Do it now, for we know not the day or the hour when Jesus will come (Mt 24:36).

Prayer: Jesus, come back today or as soon as possible.

Promise: "She produces friends of God and prophets. For there is nought God loves, be it not one who dwells with Wisdom." -Wis 7:27-28

Praise: Pope St. Leo's life-changing sermons are still calling many to holiness through the Liturgy of the Hours.

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Wednesday, November 9, 2011

BUILDING BLOCKS - One Bread, One Body, 11/9/2011

Read our booklet entitled "Living in Reality, The Key to Building a New Life in the Spirit". Holy Spirit helps us to understand Your truths and Your realities.

http://www.presentationministries.com/brochures/LivingInReality.asp
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Wednesday, November 9, 2011, Dedication of the, Lateran Basilica in Rome

Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12, 1 Corinthians 3:9-11, 16-17, Psalm 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9, John 2:13-22
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/110911.cfm

BUILDING BLOCKS

"I laid a foundation as a wise master-builder might do." -1 Corinthians 3:10

The international outreach of the Pope and the Vatican has probably never been greater than the present. Pope John Paul II was a prolific missionary pope. We have more dioceses and parishes than at any time in the two-thousand-year history of the Church. Geographically, the Church has never been as "catholic" (universal) as today. Nevertheless, the Church is struggling, especially in Western Europe, Australia, and America.
One main reason for the breakdown of the Church in some parts of the world is that the basic unit of the Church is no longer functional. The universal Church is made up of dioceses, dioceses are comprised of parishes, but of what are parishes comprised? In some parts of the world, parishes are made up of individuals and nuclear families. Historically, these are not the basic units of a parish. A parish is intended to be a community of small communities, a family of extended families.
This is what we celebrate in today's feast. The Basilica of John Lateran was one of the first parish churches. It was built so that several communities could come together. On this feast day, let's pray for the Church to be renewed by the Spirit, raising up small communities to be the basic units of the parish.

Prayer: Father, may I be a living stone (1 Pt 2:5) in a living community of Christians.

Promise: "The temple of God is holy, and you are that temple." -1 Cor 3:17

Praise: "How lovely is Your dwelling place, O Lord!" (Ps 84:2) We rejoice in the shadow of Your wings. All glory and praise be to You.

(For a related teaching, order our booklet "Introduction to Small Christian Communities" or on audio tapes AV 76-1, AV 76-3 or video V-76.)

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Tuesday, November 8, 2011

"THE CULTURE OF DEATH" - One Bread, One Body, 11/8/2011

Is the Lord calling you to help bring our Bible Telephone ministry to your city? Recent developments now make it very easy for us to bring this ministry to any city in the US. All we need is a co-worker committed to advertising and promoting the number in their area. When you call the Bible Telephone line you hear a teaching on the readings for the Mass and can leave prayer requests. There is a new message each day.

Please email bibleline@presentationministries.com to get started with this ministry.

Visit the link below for a list of existing numbers and to learn more about the ministry.
http://www.presentationministries.com/bibleline/bibleline.asp
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Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Wisdom 2:23-3:9, Psalm 34:2-3, 16-19, Luke 17:7-10
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/110811.cfm

"THE CULTURE OF DEATH"

"By the envy of the devil, death entered the world, and they who are in his possession experience it." -Wisdom 2:24

Pope John Paul II called© our Western, secularized culture "the culture of death." Married couples refuse to conceive children; we abort babies; we withdraw food from terminally ill patients so that they will die; masses commit suicide through alcohol and other drugs; we entertain ourselves by watching people kill each other on TV. We are a culture of sin, and because the wages of sin is death (Rm 6:23), we are a culture of death.
"It was the wicked who with hands and words invited death, considered it a friend, and pined for it, and made a covenant with it, because they deserve to be in its possession" (Wis 1:16). "Court not death by your erring way of life, nor draw to yourselves destruction by the works of your hands" (Wis 1:12). We either repent of our sins or court, marry, and become possessed by death. We either give our lives to God, Who is Life (Jn 14:6), or become lifelong, everlasting slaves of Satan, the prince of death (Heb 2:14-15).
"I call heaven and earth today to witness against you: I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life" (Dt 30:19).

Prayer: Father, use me to save babies from abortion and other people from sin and damnation.

Promise: "The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace." -Wis 3:1-3

Praise: Larry and Sarah repented of their contraceptive lifestyle and soon became prominent figures in pro-life movements.

(For a related teaching, order our tape The Culture of Death" on audio AV 73-3 or video V-73.)

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Monday, November 7, 2011

THE EUCHARIST, FOOD OF WISDOM - One Bread, One Body, 11/7/2011

Monday, November 7, 2011

Wisdom 1:1-7, Psalm 139:1-10, Luke 17:1-6
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/110711.cfm

THE EUCHARIST, FOOD OF WISDOM

"He manifests Himself to those who do not disbelieve Him." -Wisdom 1:2

As I read the above passage, I felt goose bumps form on my body. Today Almighty God manifested Himself to me in His eucharistic presence (see Wis 1:2). I rejoiced to receive Him in Holy Communion at Mass. Jesus, Wisdom Incarnate (1 Cor 1:30), bounded out of heaven (Wis 18:15; Jn 6:33) to fill me with the Food of Wisdom.
People spend years obtaining knowledge through education and training. Yet we Catholics have been given the Bread of Wisdom, and can receive this Bread daily! Oh, that we would "seek Him" (Wis 1:1) with more fervor than the worldly seek knowledge!
We live in an age of information and knowledge. Yet do we live in an age of wisdom? As St. Paul observed, " 'knowledge' inflates," and can lead us to pride, but "love upbuilds" (1 Cor 8:1). Wisdom without love is nothing; real wisdom must lead to love (1 Cor 13:2).
Jesus, "the Bread of Life" (Jn 6:35), is "Wisdom" (1 Cor 1:30). Attend Mass daily, or as often as possible. Receive the eucharistic Jesus, Wisdom Incarnate, and "get wisdom!" (Prv 4:5)

Prayer: Lord, "increase our faith" (Lk 17:5).

Promise: "The Holy Spirit of discipline flees deceit and withdraws from senseless counsels." -Wis 1:5

Praise: Through reception of daily Eucharist, Maureen saw a change for the good in her tolerance and patience.

(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)

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