TOTAL HUMILITY - One Bread, One Body, 07/09/2023

Sunday, July 9, 2023, 14th Sunday Ordinary Time

Zechariah 9:9-10
Romans 8:9, 11-13
Psalm 145:1-2, 8-11, 13-14
Matthew 11:25-30
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TOTAL HUMILITY
"Learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble of heart."—Matthew 11:29

Jesus is gentle and humble of heart (compare Zec 9:9). Jesus “humbled Himself, obediently accepting even death, death on a cross!” (Phil 2:8) Jesus humbled Himself and washed the feet of the apostles. Then He commanded: “What I just did was to give you an example: as I have done, so you must do” (Jn 13:15). Jesus promised: “Whoever humbles himself shall be exalted” (Mt 23:12).

The Lord commands us to be humble in personal relationships. This is called “submission” (see Eph 5:21). We are to be humble in managing finances and possessions. This is called “stewardship.” The Lord commands us to be humble in obeying His Word through the teachings of the Church and her Bible. This humility in receiving teaching is called “docility.” In effect, the Lord wants our lives to be permeated with humility. The Lord promised: “I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly” (Zep 3:12). “Be humbled in the sight of the Lord” (Jas 4:10).

Prayer: "Jesus, gentle and humble of heart, make my heart like Yours."

Promise: "If you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the evil deeds of the body, you will live." —Rm 8:13

Praise: Praise the risen Jesus, the "Man of suffering" (Is 53:3) and risen Lord of glory!

(We offer a foundational retreat, How to Teach the Bible in the Power of the Holy Spirit, July 24-27. This retreat will equip you to go deeper into the Word of the Lord and share it with others through a power-packed 4 days of teachings. Call 937-587-5464 or 513-373-2397 or visit our website, www.presentationministries.com, to register or for more information.)

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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, 2023, through July 31, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio December 14, 2022"

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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MASQUERADE - One Bread, One Body, 07/08/2023

Saturday, July 8, 2023,

Genesis 27:1-5, 15-29
Psalm 135:1-6
Matthew 9:14-17

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MASQUERADE
"Rebekah then took the best clothes of her older son Esau that she had in the house, and gave them to her younger son Jacob to wear; and with the skins of the kids she covered up his hands and the hairless parts of his neck." —Genesis 27:15-16

Jacob coveted Esau’s blessing and used a masquerade to steal it. The measure Jacob measured with was measured back to him (Mt 7:2) when he woke up the morning after his wedding to find that his new bride was not his beloved Rachel, but her sister Leah, who had masqueraded as Rachel (Gn 29:25).

We humans are so prone to deception and covetousness that God felt it necessary to have the last two of the ten commandments forbid coveting someone else’s spouse or goods (Ex 20:17; Dt 5:21). God knows that we tend to think “the grass is greener on the other side.” We want to “keep up with the Joneses.” We are dissatisfied with “ours” and want “theirs.”

Before Jacob was born, the Lord promised that Jacob would be especially blessed and would surpass Esau (Gn 25:23). So why should Jacob want to covet a lesser blessing (and bear all the horrible consequences of stealing it as well)? All Jacob had to do was be himself and wait for God’s blessing to come in due time.

A Jacob is lurking in us. We envy and “cannot acquire, so [we] quarrel and fight” (Jas 4:2). Instead, the Lord commands us: “Be content with what you have” (Heb 13:5). We have a place in Christ’s Body prepared (Jn 14:2) for us from the beginning of time (Eph 1:4-5; 2:10; Heb 11:40). We have “every spiritual blessing in the heavens!” (Eph 1:3)

Why settle for less? Live the life God has assigned to you (1 Cor 7:17). Be all that you can be — in Jesus.

Prayer: Jesus, I repent of envy and covetousness. I repent of dissatisfaction with Your plans for Me. Your will be done in me.

Promise: "All that the Lord wills He does." —Ps 135:6

Praise: Rhonda had an abortion. She repented and turned to Jesus. Now she is happily married with six children.

(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, 2023, through July 31, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio December 14, 2022"

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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“NO TURNING BACK” - One Bread, One Body, 07/07/2023

Friday, July 7, 2023,

Genesis 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67
Psalm 106:1-5
Matthew 9:9-13

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"NO TURNING BACK"
"Never take my son back there!" —Genesis 24:8

Abraham was attentive to the care of his son Isaac. He chose a proper wife for his son by having his steward select a wife from his kinfolk, but he did not allow Isaac to travel “for any reason” (Gn 24:6) to the place where his kinfolk lived.  Abraham knew that place might lead Isaac away from following the Lord, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac. Abraham’s greatest priority was that his son Isaac and his future wife would serve God as he and Sarah served God. God always came first with Abraham.

Jesus tells us bluntly to not turn back (Lk 9:62). We all have places, people, and “things in our lives to which we cannot return”; they would influence us to turn away from God. As St. Paul warned: “My fear is that, just as the serpent seduced Eve by his cunning, your thoughts may be corrupted and you may fall away from your sincere and complete devotion to Christ” (2 Cor 11:3).

What is the place to which you can never go back? Most likely, you know exactly what that place is. If that place involves people who will tempt you to sin, keep in mind what St. Paul said: “Bad company corrupts good morals” (1 Cor 15:33). “Let your eyes look straight ahead and your glance be directly forward…Turn neither to right nor to left, keep your foot far from evil” (Prv 4:25, 27).

“Fix your eyes on Jesus” (Heb 3:1). “Let anyone who thinks he is standing upright watch out lest he fall!” (1 Cor 10:12)

Prayer: Father, give me the strength to stay on the narrow road, not look back, and always walk in Your ways.

Promise: "Happy are they who observe what is right, who do always what is just." —Ps 106:3

Praise: Don and Julie raised their children to live for the Lord. Now two of their sons are priests.

(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, 2023, through July 31, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio December 14, 2022"

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 ULTIMATE FINANCIAL SECURITY - One Bread, One Body, 07/06/2023

Thursday, July 6, 2023, St. Maria Goretti

Genesis 22:1-19
Psalm 115:1-6, 8-9
Matthew 9:1-8

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THE ULTIMATE FINANCIAL SECURITY
"Abraham named the site Yahweh-yireh; hence people now say, 'On the mountain the Lord will see.' " —Genesis 22:14

God the Father sees to our needs. He cares for us and gives us our daily bread (Mt 6:11). As His children, we don’t have to worry about what we are to eat, drink, or wear (Mt 6:31). God our Father is a perfect Provider. Therefore, we have complete financial security.

However, if we aren’t aware of the perfect providence of God, we may feel obligated to try to take care of ourselves, as if we were Yahweh-yireh. Of course, we will not be able to do this satisfactorily. Thus, we will probably be frustrated and insecure.

Jesus came into this world to reveal to us God the Father (Lk 10:22). Jesus is the only Way to the Father (Jn 14:6). Jesus has made it clear that the providence of God the Father is “concrete and immediate” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 303). If we let Him, our Father will provide for all our legitimate needs or do something even greater — for example, take us into the mystery of His Son’s suffering and death. We can trust God the Father completely in life, death, after life, and forever. Trust Abba!

Prayer: Father, by Your grace I will trust You in the areas where I have been most afraid to trust You.

Promise: "Have courage, son, your sins are forgiven." —Mt 9:2

Praise: St. Maria's family had the blessing to see her murderer repent and Maria's sanctity recognized in her canonization as a saint.

(For a related teaching on The Bible on Money, view, download or order our booklet 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, 2023, through July 31, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio December 14, 2022"

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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BAPTISMAL AWARENESS - One Bread, One Body, 07/05/2023

Wednesday, July 5, 2023, St. Elizabeth of Portugal
St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria

Genesis 21:5, 8-20
Psalm 34:7-8, 10-13
Matthew 8:28-34

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BAPTISMAL AWARENESS
"As for the son of the slave woman, I will make a great nation of him also, since he too is your offspring." —Genesis 21:13

After wandering around in the desert until she ran out of water, Hagar put her child, Ishmael, under a bush and walked a short distance away so she wouldn’t see him die (Gn 21:14-16). When the child began to cry, God sent a messenger to rescue the child and his mother by providing water for them (Gn 21:17-19). The Lord did this because Ishmael was Abraham’s child (Gn 21:13).

Abraham was the father of the chosen people. Like Ishmael, all Abraham’s children are heirs of God’s promises to the chosen people. That’s why the first words of the New Testament establish Jesus as a child of Abraham (Mt 1:1). We also have become spiritual children of Abraham by faith in Jesus (Rm 4:16) and by Baptism. Therefore, we inherit God’s promises.

This should make us aware of the importance of our Baptism (see Rm 6:3). Because we’re baptized, we can live with the Lord forever in heaven (Mk 16:16), receive Holy Communion, go to Confession, live as brothers and sisters to Christ and His family, have God live within us, etc.

To become more aware of our Baptism, we should renew our baptismal promises at Mass on Easter Sunday and other times. We can celebrate the anniversary of our Baptism annually and use holy water daily. Let us rejoice in and live our Baptism by which we became children of God, children of Abraham, and heirs of God’s promises to the chosen people.

Prayer: Father, may I lead someone this week to Jesus and Baptism.

Promise: "Come, children, hear me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord." —Ps 34:12

Praise: St. Elizabeth of Portugal served the Lord as a peacemaker, bringing reconciliation to her own family and preventing wars between nations.



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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, 2023, through July 31, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio December 14, 2022"

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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BACK LOT - One Bread, One Body, 07/04/2023

Tuesday, July 4, 2023,

Genesis 19:15-29
Psalm 26:2-3, 9-12
Matthew 8:23-27

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BACK LOT
"Lot's wife looked back." —Genesis 19:26

The angels told Lot and his family to flee from Sodom and Gomorrah and not look back (Gn 19:17). “But Lot’s wife looked back, and she was turned into a pillar of salt” (Gn 19:26). Jesus said: “Remember Lot’s wife. Whoever tries to preserve his life will lose it; whoever loses it will keep it” (Lk 17:32-33).By becoming Christians, we have left behind the polluted world (see 2 Pt 2:20) of Sodom and Gomorrah. We have “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” and made “no provision for the desires of the flesh” (Rm 13:14). We are tempted to go back to our old life and be “caught up and overcome in pollution once more” (2 Pt 2:20). However, we should not go back or even look back to those things we left behind when we became disciples of Jesus. “Whoever puts his hand to the plow but keeps looking back is unfit for the reign of God” (Lk 9:62). We must “give no thought to what lies behind but push on to what is ahead” (Phil 3:13). “Remember Lot’s wife” (Lk 17:32) “and the tomb of a disbelieving soul, a standing pillar of salt” (Wis 10:7).

Prayer: Father, I rejoice to give all for love of You.

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

Praise: Although storms destroyed their home, the Jeffersons responded by giving heartfelt thanks to God that their whole family survived.

(For related teachings on obedience, view, download or order our leaflet Obedience School, or listen to, download or order Obeying God on CD 62-3 or DVD 62 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, 2023, through July 31, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio December 14, 2022"

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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ADMIT YOUR STRENGTHS - One Bread, One Body, 07/03/2023

Monday, July 3, 2023, St. Thomas

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

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ADMIT YOUR STRENGTHS
"His answer was, 'I will never believe it without probing the nailprints in His hands, without putting my finger in the nailmarks and my hand into His side.' " —John 20:25

St. Thomas possibly fell into the sin of doubting because he had fallen into the sin of pride. He was tempted to pride not because he was weak but because he was strong. The temptations stemming from our strengths are probably the most dangerous.

St. Thomas possibly fell into the sin of doubting because he had fallen into the sin of pride. He was tempted to pride not because he was weak but because he was strong. The temptations stemming from our strengths are probably the most dangerous.

Thomas was perhaps smarter than the average apostle. When Jesus journeyed to raise Lazarus from the dead, He risked His life. Thomas understood this and made the great profession of faith: “Let us go along, to die with Him” (Jn 11:16). Thomas was intelligent enough to ask Jesus the question which Christ answered with one of the greatest statements ever made: “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life” (Jn 14:6). Thomas may have been absent from the upper room on the evening of the day of Jesus’ Resurrection because he was not so bound up with fear as were the other apostles (see Jn 20:19, 24, 26).

When the weak, fearful disciples gave Thomas the message of Jesus’ Resurrection, Thomas was tempted to be proud and to reject what they said. Thomas was too smart for his own good. He gave in to intellectual and spiritual pride. He sinned.

However, Thomas did not stay too proud to repent. He admitted his sins and his strengths, professed Jesus as his Lord and God (Jn 20:28), received the Holy Spirit at the first Christian Pentecost (Acts 2:4), and became a missionary, martyr, and part of the foundation of the Church (Eph 2:20).

Admit your sins and strengths. Repent and be Thomas’ twin (see Jn 20:24).

Prayer: Father, I repent of intellectual and spiritual pride.

Promise: "This means that you are strangers and aliens no longer. No, you are fellow citizens of the saints and members of the household of God." —Eph 2:19

Praise: "My Lord and my God!" (Jn 20:28)



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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, 2023, through July 31, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio December 14, 2022"

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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