BORN TO BE WILD? - One Bread, One Body, 10/08/2023

Sunday, October 8, 2023, 27th Sunday Ordinary Time

Isaiah 5:1-7
Philippians 4:6-9
Psalm 80:9, 12-16, 19-20
Matthew 21:33-43
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BORN TO BE WILD?
"Why...did it bring forth wild grapes?" —Isaiah 5:4

God took perfect care of His vineyard, the house of Israel (Is 5:1ff). With a perfect Gardener and perfect care, you would expect the vineyard to produce domesticated, fruitful grapes. No one would logically expect wild grapes to be produced. For this to happen, the domesticated grapevines that were planted would need to acquire the plant physiology of wild grapes.

Therefore, God told the people of Israel, and us also, that if they wanted to be wild, He would let them live in a condition which fits their desire for wildness. Thus, the Lord tore down the walls which protected the vineyard, allowing wild conditions, wild plants, and wild animals to invade (Is 5:5-6). Perhaps then the Israelites would come to their senses (see Lk 15:17ff) and return to the Lord. Perhaps the wild grapes would learn from the merciless effects of wild living and humbly return to their domesticated, fruitful nature that comes with being children of God.

When Jesus proclaimed the parable of the vineyard in today’s Gospel reading, those who heard understood Jesus’ message clearly (see Mt 21:45). However, most of those who heard Him rejected His message, rejected God and His protection, and chose wildness and separation from Him.

The message is clear. God’s plan is to bring us into His family so we’ll bear good fruit (Jn 15:5, 8, 16). Repent of any desire to “run wild” and rebel against the Lord (Ex 32:25).

Prayer: Father, do in me whatever it takes in order to do through me whatever You will.

Promise: "Then God's own peace, which is beyond all understanding, will stand guard over your hearts and minds." —Phil 4:7

Praise: Praise Jesus, rejected, crucified, and risen Lord God!

(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 October 1, 2023, through November 30, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio March 15, 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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THE POWER OF POVERTY - One Bread, One Body, 10/07/2023

Saturday, October 7, 2023, Our Lady of the Rosary

Baruch 4:5-12, 27-29
Psalm 69:33-37
Luke 10:17-24

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THE POWER OF POVERTY
"I offer You praise, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because what You have hidden from the learned and the clever You have revealed to the merest children." —Luke 10:21

Do you want to make demons subject to you in the name of Jesus? (Lk 10:17) Do you want to watch “Satan fall from the sky like lightning” and tread on “all the forces of the enemy”? (Lk 10:18-19) Power over Satan begins with knowing God, for our power is in His name. When we are on a “first name basis” with the Lord, when we know Him deeply and personally, we have His power working through us.

To know God and thereby receive His power, we must not depend on being learned and clever. Rather, we must be like infants, totally dependent upon God our Father (Lk 10:21). Therefore, the key to knowing God and using His power is dependence on Him. The people closest to God, who are the most powerful people in the world, are those who realize that without Jesus they can do nothing (Jn 15:5).

St. Francis of Assisi, whose feast we observed Wednesday, chose and loved poverty. This helped him be conscious of depending on God for everything. In this way, St. Francis knew God very deeply, and the power of Francis’ life has reverberated throughout the world for centuries.

Be poor. Be like infants. Be close to God. Be powerful.

Prayer: Father, I need You for my next breath, heartbeat, minute, and meal. Thank You for providing everything for me.

Promise: "As your hearts have been disposed to stray from God, turn now ten times the more to seek Him; for He Who has brought disaster upon you will, in saving you, bring you back enduring joy." —Bar 4:28-29

Praise: Helen prays a Rosary daily for the conversion of those involved in the abortion industry.

(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 October 1, 2023, through November 30, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio March 15, 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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LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION - One Bread, One Body, 10/06/2023

Friday, October 6, 2023, St. Bruno
Bl. Marie-Rose Durocher

Baruch 1:15-22
Psalm 79:1-5, 8-9
Luke 10:13-16

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LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
"Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes." —Luke 10:13, RNAB "And as for you, Capernaum, 'Will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to the netherworld.' " —Luke 10:15, RNAB

Did you carefully read the two Scripture verses above? Bible passages with foreign city names often cause our eyes to glaze over. So, let’s try a word play instead: “Woe to you, Western Europe! Woe to you, Australia! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. And as for you, United States of America, ‘Will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to the netherworld.’ ”

Ouch! Those words certainly take on a different meaning when the message strikes closer to home. For us in industrialized nations, we must accept partial responsibility for the culture of death contaminating our so-called developed world (see 1 Pt 4:3; cf Lk 9:41).

But “fear not” (Is 41:13). There is hope. With God’s grace, you can “prove yourselves innocent…in the midst of a twisted and depraved generation” (Phil 2:15).

Fr. Al Lauer, founder of One Bread, One Body, said, “Witnessing for the risen Christ changes the culture of death into a civilization of life and love.” Pray without ceasing (see 1 Thes 5:17). Act when the Lord speaks to your heart. Let’s reclaim our culture for Jesus!

Prayer: Father, I will witness "to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

Promise: "May Your compassion quickly come to us." ––Ps 79:8

Praise: St. Bruno founded the Carthusian order of monks. On his deathbed, he declared, "I believe in the sacraments that the Church believes and holds in reverence."

(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 October 1, 2023, through November 30, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio March 15, 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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“SAYING GRACE” - One Bread, One Body, 10/05/2023

Thursday, October 5, 2023, St. Faustina
Bl. Francis Xavier Seelos

Nehemiah 8:1-12
Psalm 19:8-11
Luke 10:1-12

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"SAYING GRACE"
"The harvest is rich but the workers are few; therefore ask the Harvest-Master to send workers to His harvest." —Luke 10:2

Jesus told His disciples they shouldn’t expect Him to provide even a roof over their heads (Lk 9:58). He told them to respond to His call immediately and that continued hesitation would make them unfit for God’s kingdom (Lk 9:62). After making such extreme demands on His disciples, Jesus remarked: “The harvest is rich but the workers are few” (Lk 10:2). The obvious reaction to this statement would be to blame Jesus for the scarcity of workers because He demands too much of them. Jesus has a different reaction. He doesn’t see any need to water down the call to radical discipleship; He just exhorts us to pray for the Harvest-Master to send workers.

Jesus does not try to sell us but rather to “grace” us. He warned us we’ll be like “lambs in the midst of wolves” (Lk 10:3). He promised to send us out without walking staff, traveling bag, or sandals (Lk 10:4). Jesus doesn’t try to make discipleship easier. In fact, He seems to intentionally make it harder. True discipleship is impossible without His grace, which is always sufficient (2 Cor 12:9).

When we see a scarcity of priests, sisters, brothers, lay ministers, or parishioners, the answer to the problem is not to compromise and call for less commitment. Instead, the solution is to proclaim the radical nature of the Gospel and pray more intensely for workers to obey God’s call.

Prayer: Father, help me to see the situations where I desperately need Your grace. Give me only Your love and Your grace.

Promise: "Rejoicing in the Lord must be your strength!" —Neh 8:10

Praise: Jesus gave St. Faustina a vision of His mercy as a vast ocean. She spent her life spreading devotion to Divine Mercy.



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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 October 1, 2023, through November 30, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio March 15, 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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JUMP WHEN I SAY JUMP - One Bread, One Body, 10/04/2023

Wednesday, October 4, 2023, St. Francis of Assisi

Nehemiah 2:1-8
Psalm 137:1-6
Luke 9:57-62

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JUMP WHEN I SAY JUMP
Jesus "said: 'Come after Me.' " —Luke 9:59

Jesus calls us to follow Him not on our terms but on His. He does not preach the prosperity gospel. In fact, Jesus doesn’t even promise us a roof over our heads. The foxes and birds seemingly have better “benefits” than we do (Lk 9:58). Moreover, Jesus doesn’t let us choose our own pace but demands we jump when He says “Jump.” “Now is the acceptable time” (2 Cor 6:2).

Jesus demands our “all.” It would be unreasonable for anyone else in the world to make such demands. But a crucified, nail-scarred, thorn-crowned Savior has the right to expect all now. The first of all commandments is: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind” (Lk 10:27). After what Jesus has done for us in becoming man and dying on the cross, how can we give Him anything less than everything? The least we can do is the most we can do for Him. Our greatest privilege is to be Jesus’ slave (Col 3:24). We are eternally indebted to Him for the honor of serving Him. Thank You, Jesus!

Prayer: Jesus, give me the privilege to work and die for You. The greatest thing in all my life is serving You.

Promise: "Whoever puts his hand to the plow but keeps looking back is unfit for the reign of God." —Lk 9:62

Praise: Jesus spoke to St. Francis and told him to "rebuild My Church." Despite initially misunderstanding the Lord's intent, Francis spent the rest of his life fulfilling that command.

(For a related teaching on Obedience School, view, download or order our leaflet or listen to, download or order our 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 October 1, 2023, through November 30, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio March 15, 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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ARSONIST - One Bread, One Body, 10/03/2023

Tuesday, October 3, 2023,

Zechariah 8:20-23
Psalm 87:1-7
Luke 9:51-56

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ARSONIST
"Would You not have us call down fire?" —Luke 9:54

Near the end of Jesus’ public ministry, Samaritans would not allow Jesus and his disciples to pass through their town because they were headed toward Jerusalem. St. John the Apostle asked Jesus if he could call down fire from heaven to “destroy” those Samaritans (Lk 9:52-54). Jesus refused him, reprimanding John on the spot (Lk 9:55).

Jesus did eventually allow John to call down fire from heaven onto the Samaritans. St. Philip had taken the gospel in power to the unbelieving Samaritans, and they received the Good News (Acts 8:5ff). “When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. The two...prayed that they might receive the Holy Spirit” (Acts 8:14-15). John laid his hands on those whom he had earlier wished to incinerate, and the fire of God, the Holy Spirit, did fall upon them to consume them with the love of God (Acts 8:17). Jesus gave John his wish, but not in the way John had expected.

Are there any individuals or groups of people whom you wouldn’t mind having God remove from earth? Can you imagine if Jesus eventually used you as His agent to bring these people into new life in the Spirit? If we are to love our enemies, we need that same conversion John experienced. Repent! Forgive and love your enemies (Lk 6:35). “Receive the Holy Spirit” (Jn 20:22).

Prayer: Jesus, send the fire of the Holy Spirit to burn away the hardness in my heart. May I lead thousands to receive the Spirit.

Promise: "Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you." —Zec 8:23

Praise: During an elevator ride, James took the opportunity to witness to a stranger about Jesus.

(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(Spend three days getting closer to Jesus with a study of the Gospel of Luke, Oct. 13-15. This retreat will be held at our retreat center in beautiful Adams County, Ohio. Call 513-373-2397 or email retreats@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 October 1, 2023, through November 30, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio March 15, 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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THE INTERNATIONAL GUARD - One Bread, One Body, 10/02/2023

Monday, October 2, 2023, Guardian Angels

Zechariah 8:1-8
Psalm 102:16-21, 29, 22-23
Matthew 18:1-5, 10

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THE INTERNATIONAL GUARD
"I assure you, their angels in heaven constantly behold My heavenly Father's face." —Matthew 18:10

Many Christians have gotten the impression that angels are “nice guys,” but they’re not guys or gals at all. Angels are not human, although they possess some humanlike qualities. The Lord warned us not to rebel against our guardian angel, “for he will not forgive” our sin (Ex 23:21). Jesus also commanded us not to despise other Christians because their angels will make us wish we hadn’t made that mistake (see Mt 18:10). The archangel Raphael corrected Tobit, saying: “As for me, when I came to you it was not out of any favor on my part, but because it was God’s will. So continue to thank Him every day” (Tb 12:18). The archangel Gabriel didn’t take flak from Zechariah. He told Zechariah: “Now you will be mute — unable to speak — until the day these things take place, because you have not trusted my words” (Lk 1:20).

This is not to say that angels are invariably mean or rough, but I wouldn’t classify them as sweet, chubby, baby-like cherubs. Angels are guards, in addition to their other duties; they are as tough as they need to be to do their job.

Therefore, respect your guardian angel and all angels. Obey them exactly and without delay. They are God’s gift to you, but you must respect them.

Prayer: Father, give me that fear of You which is the beginning of wisdom (Ps 111:10).

Promise: "Whoever welcomes one such child for My sake welcomes Me." —Mt 18:5

Praise: Teenage Wally asks his guardian angel for protection each time he drives a car.

(For a related teaching on Spiritual Warfare, 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 October 1, 2023, through November 30, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio March 15, 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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