Our Main Sponsor

Monday, April 13, 2020

MY SWEET JESUS! - One Bread, One Body, 4/14/2020

EASTER CHALLENGE: Read the whole New Testament this Easter. Follow our reading guide:

http://www.presentationministries.com/brochures/NTEaster.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Tuesday, April 14, 2020, Easter Tuesday

Acts 2:36-41, Psalm 33:4-5, 18-20, 22, John 20:11-18
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/041420.cfm

MY SWEET JESUS!

"I have seen the Lord!" -John 20:18

At a college "Encounter with Christ" retreat many years ago, I had a "Mary Magdalene" moment. The retreat director asked everyone to find a quiet location and spend an hour reading letters written to us by fellow students. I walked through the snow-covered woods to a secluded hilltop overlooking a frozen lake and sat atop a tree stump to read and pray. Each letter radiated encouragement, hopes, and prayers. The final letter ended with a Bible verse: "No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a bushel basket" (see Lk 8:16). When I read that verse, it was as though Jesus Himself jumped off the page, sat next to me, and spoke my name (Jn 20:16). Though the winter air was freezing cold, I felt nothing but warmth and the love of Jesus during that hour. In that moment, Jesus' love changed me profoundly and permanently. I was transformed from self-conscious to God-confident, from fearful to joyful. The Scriptures came alive and I was filled with the desire and resolve to attend daily Mass. With Mary Magdalene, I proclaimed: "I have seen the Lord!" (Jn 20:18)

A life-changing, personal encounter with the risen Jesus is absolutely critical. The risen Jesus is not bound by the laws of the natural world. He walks through locked doors (Jn 20:26), vanishes from human sight (Lk 24:31), and rises into the clouds (Acts 1:9). You might encounter the risen Jesus in the Eucharist, while reading the Bible, at a retreat, during prayer, in a traffic jam, while cooking, in the dark (Acts 18:9), or while traumatized by tragedy (Jn 20:15). Be constantly ready to encounter the risen Jesus. Let Him transform your life.


Prayer: "Jesus, my Lord, my God, my All..."

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

Praise: Praise You, risen Jesus! You are "the Alpha and the Omega" (Rv 22:13). Alleluia!

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

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant the "Nihil Obstat" ("Permission to Publish") for "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from April 1, 2020 through May 31, 2020
?Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, September 24, 2020

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

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/obob/obob.asp

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright © 2020 Presentation Ministries

To add your e-mail address to this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp

To remove your e-mail address from this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp?mode=r

Sunday, April 12, 2020

LIVING FROM HAND TO MOUTH - One Bread, One Body, 4/13/2020

EASTER CHALLENGE: Read the whole New Testament this Easter. Follow our reading guide:

http://www.presentationministries.com/brochures/NTEaster.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Monday, April 13, 2020, Easter Monday

Acts 2:14, 22-33, Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11, Matthew 28:8-15
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/041320.cfm

LIVING FROM HAND TO MOUTH

"This is the Jesus God has raised up, and we are His witnesses." -Acts 2:32

The risen Jesus was seen not by all but only by witnesses "hand-picked by God" (Acts 10:41, our transl). By our Baptisms, all Christians have been hand-picked by the Lord to be witnesses for the risen Christ.

To be loving and effective witnesses, we need to be like:

* Mary Magdalene, who loved Jesus as she stood at the foot of the cross (Jn 19:25),
* the women leaving the tomb, who worshipped Jesus (Mt 28:9),
* Peter, who repented of denying Jesus (Lk 22:62) and became the leader of the early Church,
* the apostles, on whom Jesus breathed and said: "Receive the Holy Spirit" (Jn 20:22), and
* the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, whose hearts were burning as Jesus taught them His Word (Lk 24:32).

The witnesses of the risen Christ are hand-picked for this privilege and honor because they have received the Holy Spirit at the cross, through God's Word, in repentance and worship. Jesus promised: "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes down on you; then you are to be My witnesses" (Acts 1:8).

The hand of the Lord is upon you (e.g. Ez 3:22) and the Holy Spirit is received through the laying on of hands (see Catechism of the Catholic Church, 699). You will witness accordingly when you live fully the life in the Holy Spirit poured out on you through the laying on of hands in Confirmation. Live your Confirmation and live Easter.


Prayer: Father, send the Holy Spirit of Easter to free me.

Promise: "You will fill me with joy in Your presence." -Acts 2:28

Praise: "All praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine," Jesus, my Lord and my God (see Jn 20:28).


-----------------------------------------------------------------

Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant the "Nihil Obstat" ("Permission to Publish") for "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from April 1, 2020 through May 31, 2020
?Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, September 24, 2020

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

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/obob/obob.asp

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright © 2020 Presentation Ministries

To add your e-mail address to this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp

To remove your e-mail address from this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp?mode=r

PM eNewsletter Easter Sunday

April 12th Easter Sunday


"He is risen", with these words we celebrate the glorious miracle that You did for us all
on Easter when You rose from the dead, triumphant, fully alive and glorious.

Help us to rejoice as we see our eternal life journey being laid out for us by You.

Help us to feel the joy and peace that tells us we are fully free of the effects of sin
and now fully alive in Your love.

Thank You Jesus for Your love.

Thank You Jesus for Your doing of the fathers will for all mankind.

Amen and Amen.

Thank You Lord, for loving us totally.
________________________________________________

For more on the teachings of Father Al Lauer see the home page of Presentation Ministries?
Please take a look.
http://presentationministries.com/home/home.asp

To add your e-mail address to this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp
________________________________________________

One Bread, One Body

This weeks readings and reflections


Sunday THE DARK SIDE OF THE RESURRECTION
https://presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp?lang=en&d=4/12/2020

"Early in the morning on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the
tomb. She saw that the stone had been moved away." -John 20:1

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

I am writing this teaching for Easter with an IV in my arm, as I await having a tube put down my throat.
This may be followed by other tortures, which may lead to surgery. What kind of Easter celebration is
this!? "While it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb" (Jn 20:1). Easter often begins when
it's dark. Possibly you are still in the night of a broken heart, painful marriage, shattered family,
severe sickness, or pervasive pain. However, without the darkness of night, we would never see the sun
rise. Without Jesus' death on Calvary, He would not have risen.

If you begin this Easter season struggling to hope against hope (Rm 4:18), renew your baptismal promises
and have faith in the Father through Jesus and in the Spirit. "Walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Cor 5:7).
Jesus is risen! He has victory over the darkness, and He will manifest it in your life. "At nightfall,
weeping enters in, but with the dawn, rejoicing" (Ps 30:6). Rejoice in the risen Christ! Rejoice by
faith! Rejoice when you are still in your night, for Jesus is the Light Who is sure to dawn
(see 2 Pt 1:19; cf Rv 22:16). Alleluia forever!


Prayer: Father, should anyone ask me the reason for this hope of mine, may I "be ever ready to reply"
(1 Pt 3:15).

Promise: "Are you not aware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
Through baptism into His death we were buried with Him, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead
by the glory of the Father, we too might live a new life." -Rm 6:3-4

Praise: Praise the risen Jesus! Alleluia!


Monday LIVING FROM HAND TO MOUTH
https://presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp?lang=en&d=4/13/2020

"This is the Jesus God has raised up, and we are His witnesses." -Acts 2:32


Tuesday MY SWEET JESUS!
https://presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp?lang=en&d=4/14/2020

"I have seen the Lord!" -John 20:18


For more readings and inspiration from Presentation Ministries, check us out at
http://presentationministries.com/home/home.asp

Share an OBOB e-mail with a friend today! It's easy and quick and it will make Jesus smile!
http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obobDriveEmail.asp
________________________________________________

Brochures

" Over 90 Biblically based brochures. Many on topics you don't usually hear addressed."


This Week's Featured Publications


· Through the New Testament in Easter
https://presentationministries.com/publications/NTEaster.asp

· Who Am I in Christ?
https://presentationministries.com/publications/WhoAmIInChrist.asp

"He who seeks only himself brings himself to ruin, whereas he who brings himself to nought for
Me discovers who he is." -Matthew 10:39

We must know who we are before we .....................................

· The Bible on Sex
https://presentationministries.com/publications/BibleOnSex.asp

· The Truth Will Set You Free
https://presentationministries.com/publications/TruthSetFree.asp

· Speak the Truth in Love
https://presentationministries.com/publications/SpeakTruthLove.asp

· 14 Questions on Forgiveness
https://presentationministries.com/publications/14Quest.asp

· Accepting Jesus as Lord, Savior, and God
https://presentationministries.com/publications/AccJesus.asp

· Scriptural Stations of the Cross
https://presentationministries.com/publications/ScripStat.asp

· Lent and the Renewal of Our Baptismal Promises
https://presentationministries.com/publications/LentRenewal.asp


Brochures by Topic
http://presentationministries.com/brochures/brochures.asp
________________________________________________

PM Internet Prayer Requests
http://www.presentationministries.com/prayer/prayer.asp


He has Risen! Alleluia! Praise be to God! Rejoice O Virgin Mary!
(Anonymous, , 4/11/2020 7:58:23 PM)

Thank you Lord for your death that save the world .Amen
(Anonymous, , 4/11/2020 10:29:13 AM)

Fear is useless.... LORD please look kindly on the petitions posted and all the requests said silently in
our hearts. Silence. darkness, trembling. Let there be light LORD. You are the light
(Jim, Wisconsin, , 4/11/2020 9:54:52 AM)

Heal us inside and out. Help our marriage. Thank you far all my blessings love and acceptance.
(Anonymous, , 4/11/2020 9:15:00 AM)

Heal us inside and out. Thank you for all of your blessings love and acceptace. Thank you for giving us
your son. Heal my marriage.
(Anonymous, , 4/11/2020 9:12:30 AM)

Please, pray for my poor father. He is hospitalized righy now for an incurable illness. Ask God for a
miracle in the name of Jesus. We already lost our mother and our father is everything for us. Thanks
(Anonymous, , 4/11/2020 5:15:34 AM)

Please follow link to additional prayer intentions.
http://www.presentationministries.com/prayer/prayer.asp
________________________________________________

Audio by Topic
Catholic MP3 Talks & Teachings

The internet ministry for PM is highlighting our downloadable tapes online. The Gospels of Matthew,
Mark, Luke and John are featured as well as covering the entire New Testament thru Revelation.
Also available, many MP3 formatted Audio tapes of most epistles in the bible and numerous 15 minute
Bible studies by Fr. Al Lauer.

Take a moment and check the link below
http://presentationministries.com/media/mediaCatalog.asp
________________________________________________

Small Christian Communities

We believe the Lord is calling us to build hundreds of more communities by raising up leaders who will
form communities


PM's Small Christian Community Network

Learn about the Communities in our Network
http://presentationministries.com/community/hbcNetwork.asp

Small Christian Community Resources

Introduction to Small Christian Community
http://presentationministries.com/brochures/IntroCommunity.asp

"Unless the Lord Build the House..." - Psalm 127:
http://presentationministries.com/brochures/UnlessTheLordBuild.asp

Building Small Christian Communities (Team Manual)
http://presentationministries.com/brochures/CommunityManual.asp

Building Small Christian Communities (Guide Book)
http://presentationministries.com/brochures/CommunityGuidebook.asp


For more information contact: community@presentationministries.com
________________________________________________

Bible Telephone Line

The Bible Telephone Line (BTL) has been in operation for 28 years. Begun by Fr. Al in 1991, it now
continues with Deacon Ken Meade from the Archdiocese of Cleveland and two lay teachers, Jon Smith of
Fortville, IN and Darlene Davis of Greenfield, IN.. The BTL provides callers with a short teaching on
the readings for the daily Mass. It is available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Callers may also
leave a short prayer request which will be shared on the line with the other callers the next day on
a separate line.

THE BTL RECENTLY WENT TO A SINGLE NUMBER FOR THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES

United States: 513-823-3111

Canada:
Toronto, ON CAN 647-723-9923
Ottawa, ON CAN 613-694-1257
________________________________________________

Listen Online!
Inspired teaching on the daily Scripture readings of the Catholic Church by Fr. Al Lauer

Best of Daily Bread Radio Program
http://www.presentationministries.com/dbread/dbread.asp
________________________________________________

Pope Francis, Shepherd of Truth
https://presentationministries.com/pope/fst2018-11.asp?navlink=latest

Notable quotations from Pope Francis and official teachings of the Roman Catholic Church

END HUNGER


THE CHURCH AND THE POOR

For her part, the Catholic Church, in the exercise of the mission with which her divine Founder has
entrusted her, struggles daily throughout the world against hunger and malnutrition in multiple ways
and through her various structures and associations, remembering that those who suffer from misery
are not different from us. They share our flesh and blood. They deserve ... a friendly hand to help
and support them, in such a way that no one is left behind, so that in our world fraternal solidarity
may boast its own identity card and citizenship, beyond any flashy slogans void of substance.


"HOPES OF MILLIONS"

The annual celebration of World Food Day emphasizes ... the needs, yearnings and hopes of millions of
persons who lack bread each day. Increasingly, there are more people who sadly make up part of that
great number of human beings who have nothing, or almost nothing to eat. It should be the opposite and
yet recent statistics are a painful proof of how international solidarity appears to be cooling.


"EFFECTIVE HELP"

The poor expect from us an effective help that takes them out of their misery... In this twenty-first
century that has seen considerable advances in the field of technology, science, communications and
infrastructure, we ought to feel shame for not having achieved the same advances in humanity and
solidarity, and so satisfy the primary needs of the most disadvantaged.


(Source: Message for World Food Day 2018, issued 10/16/2018)
https://presentationministries.com/pope/fst2018-11.asp?navlink=latest
_______________________________________________

PM Ministry List

" The Lord works through PM in many different ways. Below you can find information about some of our
ministries.

Bible Institute
https://presentationministries.com/bibleline/bibleline.asp

Prophecies from Word Gifts Ministry
http://presentationministries.com/general/prophecies.asp

My People Newspaper
https://presentationministries.com/mypeople/mypeople31-11.asp?navlink=latest

PM Newsletter
http://presentationministries.com/newsletter/newsletter19-1.asp?navlink=latest

St. John Bosco Youth Group
http://www.sjbym.org/

________________________________________________

2020 RETREATS
Online Registration

2020 RETREATS

· LIfestyle in the Spirit (Apr 17-19)
· Grow in Intimacy with God (May 22-24)
· 40 Hours Devotion and Family Campout (Jun 19-21)

Catholic Retreats
https://presentationministries.com/retreat/retreatSchedule.asp
________________________________________________

· Sign-up for the OBOB daily e-mail list
https://presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp

________________________________________________

--------------------------------------------------

Visit Presentation Ministries at http://www.presentationministries.com

To remove your e-mail address from this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp?mode=r


--------------------------------------------------

Visit Presentation Ministries at http://www.presentationministries.com

To remove your e-mail address from this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp?mode=r

Happy Easter and OBOB email


We at Presentation Ministries wish you a very blessed and holy Easter. Praise Jesus our risen LORD!

We are upgrading our website in the coming weeks and expect there will be disruptions in OBOB email delivery.  If you do not receive an email on a given day you can always use the link below to access OBOB reflections


God bless you! 

Saturday, April 11, 2020

THE DARK SIDE OF THE RESURRECTION - One Bread, One Body, 4/12/2020

We at Presentation Ministries wish you a very blessed and holy Easter. Praise Jesus our risen LORD!

Read about your Risen Life in Christ
http://www.presentationministries.com/publications/RisenLife.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Sunday, April 12, 2020, Easter Sunday

Romans 6:3-11, Acts 10:34, 37-43, Colossians 3:1-4 or, 1 Corinthians 5:6-8, (Vigil readings), Matthew 28:1-10, Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23, John 20:1-9
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/041220.cfm

THE DARK SIDE OF THE RESURRECTION

"Early in the morning on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb. She saw that the stone had been moved away." -John 20:1

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

I am writing this teaching for Easter with an IV in my arm, as I await having a tube put down my throat. This may be followed by other tortures, which may lead to surgery. What kind of Easter celebration is this!? "While it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb" (Jn 20:1). Easter often begins when it's dark. Possibly you are still in the night of a broken heart, painful marriage, shattered family, severe sickness, or pervasive pain. However, without the darkness of night, we would never see the sun rise. Without Jesus' death on Calvary, He would not have risen.

If you begin this Easter season struggling to hope against hope (Rm 4:18), renew your baptismal promises and have faith in the Father through Jesus and in the Spirit. "Walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Cor 5:7). Jesus is risen! He has victory over the darkness, and He will manifest it in your life. "At nightfall, weeping enters in, but with the dawn, rejoicing" (Ps 30:6). Rejoice in the risen Christ! Rejoice by faith! Rejoice when you are still in your night, for Jesus is the Light Who is sure to dawn (see 2 Pt 1:19; cf Rv 22:16). Alleluia forever!


Prayer: Father, should anyone ask me the reason for this hope of mine, may I "be ever ready to reply" (1 Pt 3:15).

Promise: "Are you not aware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Through baptism into His death we were buried with Him, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live a new life." -Rm 6:3-4

Praise: Praise the risen Jesus! Alleluia!


-----------------------------------------------------------------

Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant the "Nihil Obstat" ("Permission to Publish") for "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from April 1, 2020 through May 31, 2020
?Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, September 24, 2020

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

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/obob/obob.asp

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright © 2020 Presentation Ministries

To add your e-mail address to this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp

To remove your e-mail address from this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp?mode=r

Thursday, April 9, 2020

THE DEATH OF FEAR - One Bread, One Body, 4/10/2020

Friday, April 10, 2020, Good Friday

Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9, Psalm 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-17, 25, John 18:1-19:42
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/041020.cfm

THE DEATH OF FEAR

"Take courage and be stouthearted, all you who hope in the Lord." -Psalm 31:25

As Jesus agonized over His decision to lay down His life for us, He was so severely tempted to give in to fear that His sweat became as drops of blood (Lk 22:44). Nonetheless, Jesus refused to be intimidated by Satan. He stood up to a cohort of soldiers and several police officers (Jn 18:3). "They retreated slightly and fell to the ground" (Jn 18:6) in the face of Jesus' love and courage. Then Jesus fearlessly died on the cross for us. However, except for the beloved disciple and the three Marys at the foot of His cross (Jn 19:25-26), Jesus' apostles and disciples succumbed to fear and abandoned Christ.

After Jesus' death, fear began to lose its stranglehold on the world. First, Joseph of Arimathea, one of Jesus' secret disciples "for fear of the Jews," fearlessly came forth and asked Pilate for Jesus' body (Jn 19:38). Then Nicodemus, a formerly intimidated member of the Sanhedrin (see Jn 7:50ff), brought about a hundred pounds of myrrh and aloes to prepare Jesus' body for burial (Jn 19:39). However, Jesus' apostles continued to be locked in fear (Jn 20:19) until Pentecost, when the power of fear was put to death and the Church was born. Fear not. Jesus has died! Jesus has risen! Jesus will come again! Fear not (see Mk 5:36).


Prayer: Father, by my Baptism into Jesus' death, burial, and Resurrection, I will not give in to fear.

Promise: "Son though He was, He learned obedience from what He suffered; and when perfected, He became the Source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him." -Heb 5:8-9

Praise: (none)

(For a related teaching on "Seek First the Kingdom", order, view or download our leaflet on our website.)

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant the "Nihil Obstat" ("Permission to Publish") for "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from April 1, 2020 through May 31, 2020
?Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, September 24, 2020

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

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/obob/obob.asp

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright © 2020 Presentation Ministries

To add your e-mail address to this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp

To remove your e-mail address from this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp?mode=r

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

KNOW JESUS. NO FEAR. - One Bread, One Body, 4/9/2020

Thursday, April 9, 2020, Holy Thursday

Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Psalm 116:12-13, 15-18, John 13:1-15
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/040920.cfm

KNOW JESUS. NO FEAR.

"The Lord Jesus on the night in which He was betrayed took bread, and after He had given thanks, broke it and said, 'This is My body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.' " -1 Corinthians 11:23-24

I wrote this during a curfew. Because of racial violence, my city was under a curfew. Our Mass of the Last Supper had to be finished in 30-40 minutes so that parishioners could be home by the 8:00 PM curfew. Only a handful of people came to the Mass because most people were afraid to come. (The parish and pastor are near the center of the violence.)

On this day when we especially celebrate the Lord's gift to us of His Body and Blood (see 1 Cor 11:24-25), we should realize even more deeply that to know personally our Eucharistic Jesus means that no fear will rule our lives. The saying is absolutely true: "KNOW JESUS. NO FEAR." When we receive the Body and Blood of Jesus, we receive God, Who is Love (1 Jn 4:8, 16). We receive perfect Love, Who "casts out all fear" (1 Jn 4:18).

The Eucharist is the fulfillment of the Passover, when the Lord commanded His people to leave the slavery of fear (see Rm 8:15). After the first Eucharist, Jesus fearlessly died on the cross (see 1 Cor 11:26). The Eucharist is where the fearful become fearless by the transforming love of the Lord. KNOW JESUS. NO FEAR.


Prayer: Father, You have sent me not a fearful spirit (2 Tm 1:7) but the Spirit of adoption (Rm 8:15). In this Spirit, make me fearless.

Promise: "How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good He has done for Me? The cup of salvation I will take up, and I will call upon the name of the Lord." -Ps 116:12-13

Praise: "Sweet Sacrament, we Thee adore. O make us love Thee more and more. O make us love Thee more and more."

(For a related teaching on "Developing a Deep, Personal Relationship with Jesus", order, listen to, or download our CD 52-1 or DVD 52 on our website.)

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant the "Nihil Obstat" ("Permission to Publish") for "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from April 1, 2020 through May 31, 2020
?Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, September 24, 2020

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

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/obob/obob.asp

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright © 2020 Presentation Ministries

To add your e-mail address to this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp

To remove your e-mail address from this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp?mode=r