RESTORING LOVE - One Bread, One Body, 05/17/2024

Friday, May 17, 2024, Pentecost Novena — Day 8

Acts 25:13-21
Psalm 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20
John 21:15-19

View Readings

RESTORING LOVE
"A third time Jesus asked him, 'Simon, son of John, do you love Me?' " —John 21:17

How mercifully and graciously (see Ex 34:6) Jesus treated St. Peter by the lakeshore! Consider the mercy of Jesus:

• Peter denied Jesus three times. Jesus allowed Peter to undo each denial with three professions of love (Jn 21:15-17).
• Peter denied Jesus by a charcoal fire (Jn 18:18ff). Jesus recreated the scene of denial with another charcoal fire (Jn 21:9), bringing healing to Peter’s deepest feelings of shame.
• Jesus could have forgiven Peter privately. However, He chose to restore Peter in front of the disciples, giving Peter renewed credibility and authority in their eyes.
• Jesus once told Peter that if he knew his Master’s wishes but did not prepare to fulfill them, he would be severely punished (Lk 12:47). Yet Jesus showered Peter with mercy (Jn 21:6) and hospitality (Jn 21:13) rather than punishment when Peter had turned his back on his Master’s call.
• Jesus once again placed His trust in Peter to feed His lambs. He could have chosen another apostle to replace Peter, but Jesus was faithful to Peter and He is faithful to us.
• Jesus’ love covered a multitude of St. Peter’s sins (1 Pt 4:8). As we approach Pentecost, let us ask Jesus to pour out His love in our hearts through the Holy Spirit He sends to us (Rm 5:5).

Prayer: Holy Spirit, produce in us the fruit of love (Gal 5:22). May we constantly feed Your lambs with the Scriptures.

Promise: "As the heavens are high above the earth, so surpassing is His kindness toward those who fear Him." —Ps 103:11

Praise: José accepted Jesus as Lord and became His servant.

(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(For a related teaching on Seek the Gifts of the Spirit, view, download or order our booklet or listen to, download or order our CD 3A and CD 3B or DVD 3A and DVD 3B 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."

"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 April 1, 2024, through May 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio June 22, 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.

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

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

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

Copyright © Presentation Ministries

To add your e-mail address to this list go to https://www.presentationministries.com/subscribe/email

To remove your e-mail address from this list, click here..

FROM BAD TIMES COME THE BEST TIMES - One Bread, One Body, 05/16/2024

Thursday, May 16, 2024, Pentecost Novena — Day 7

Acts 22:30; 23:6-11
Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11
John 17:20-26

View Readings

FROM BAD TIMES COME THE BEST TIMES
"Just as you have given testimony to Me here in Jerusalem, so must you do in Rome." —Acts 23:11

Do you think you’re having a bad week? Compare your worst week to St. Paul’s bad week. Paul was quietly praying in the Temple. Some antagonistic Jews who knew Paul from Asia recognized him and “began to stir up the whole crowd there. They seized him” (Acts 21:27). The whole city came after Paul (Acts 21:30). “Attempts were being made on his life” (Acts 21:31). Soldiers “arrested Paul and had him bound with double irons” (Acts 21:33). A crowd followed Paul, “shouting, ‘Kill him! Kill him!’ ” (Acts 21:36) A little later, the crowd again “began to shout, ‘Kill him! Rid the earth of the likes of him! He isn’t worthy to live!’ ” (Acts 22:22) Subsequently, in a trial before the Sanhedrin, Paul was nearly torn to pieces (Acts 23:10).

At this low point, Jesus appeared to Paul that night and encouraged him. Jesus then commissioned Paul to testify to Him in Rome (Acts 23:11), which represented “the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). The Lord used these traumatic disasters to orchestrate Paul’s mission to Rome, the center of power at the time.

When the sky is falling around you, “keep up your courage!” (Acts 23:11) Though you may not be able to see it, your own Rome might be just around the corner. God can transform the present disasters into far-reaching, earth-shaking triumphs.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, light Your fire on the earth (Lk 12:49), even if that means I have to be tried in that fire (1 Pt 1:6-7).

Promise: "Father, all those You gave me I would have in My company where I am, to see this glory of Mine." —Jn 17:24

Praise: Dan lived for pleasure alone until he found Jesus. His daily Mass and prayer time now give him more happiness than he ever had before (see Ps 4:8).

(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."

"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 April 1, 2024, through May 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio June 22, 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.

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

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

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

Copyright © Presentation Ministries

To add your e-mail address to this list go to https://www.presentationministries.com/subscribe/email

To remove your e-mail address from this list, click here..

“A FEW CHOICE WORDS” - One Bread, One Body, 05/14/2024

Tuesday, May 14, 2024, St. Matthias
Pentecost Novena — Day 5

Acts 1:15-17, 20-26
Psalm 113:1-8
John 15:9-17

View Readings

"A FEW CHOICE WORDS"
"It was not you who chose Me, it was I Who chose you." —John 15:16. "Make known to us which of these two You choose." —Acts 1:24

Some of you have saved from abortion hundreds of babies in the womb. Thank God for your love, work, and prayers! Are you pro-choice?

This seems like a crazy question to ask strong pro-lifers. However, many pro-lifers mistakenly advocate “choice” in situations other than abortion. For example, the whole Christian life is more a matter of being chosen rather than choosing (see Jn 15:16). Jesus said: “I solemnly assure you, the Son cannot do anything by Himself — He can do only what He sees the Father doing” (Jn 5:19). God the Father has chosen our actions before we do them (see Eph 2:10). Our job is not primarily to choose but to obey. Jesus said: “I have not spoken on My own; no, the Father Who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to speak” (Jn 12:49). When we speak a “few chosen words,” we should not be doing the choosing; rather, we allow the Holy Spirit to choose what to say through us (see Lk 12:12).

Obviously, we have some choices to make. Our main choice is to choose not to be pro-choice but pro-obedience, pro-God, and pro-life. The Lord says: “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, by this Pentecost Novena, help me do my part in preparing the Church for a new Pentecost.

Promise: "The command I give you is this, that you love one another." —Jn 15:17

Praise: St. Matthias "never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news of Jesus the Messiah" (Acts 5:42).

(All are invited to our annual 40 Hour Devotion and Campout, June 7-9. See www.presentationministries.com for details.)

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

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 April 1, 2024, through May 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio June 22, 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.

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

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

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

Copyright © Presentation Ministries

To add your e-mail address to this list go to https://www.presentationministries.com/subscribe/email

To remove your e-mail address from this list, click here..

TRUTH AND CONSEQUENCES - One Bread, One Body, 05/15/2024

Wednesday, May 15, 2024, St. Isidore the Farmer
Pentecost Novena — Day 6

Acts 20:28-38
Psalm 68:29-30, 33-36
John 17:11-19

View Readings

TRUTH AND CONSEQUENCES
"I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to guard them from the evil one." —John 17:15

We follow the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth (Jn 16:13). “Since we live by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s lead” (Gal 5:25). As we receive the Spirit ever more deeply during the Pentecost Novena and on Pentecost Sunday, the Spirit will guide us to all truth, if we allow Him (Jn 16:13). We will be prompted to speak the truth in love (see Eph 4:15).

Throughout history, some have perverted the truth, and so we are compelled to proclaim the truth and defend it, whether in words, actions, or lifestyles. The enemies of the truth will oppose us. Jesus is not going to take us out of the world to shield us from such attacks (Jn 17:15). He places us in the world, like wheat among the weeds (Mt 13:29), to love and convert the weeds, that is, the enemies of the truth.

It is vital to defend the truth and, probably even more important in God’s eyes (see Lk 15:7, 10), to lead people to repentance and salvation in Christ. Speak and live the truth in love (Eph 4:15). “Receive the Holy Spirit” (Jn 20:22), the Spirit of Truth.

Prayer: Father, may I never "do anything against the truth, but only for the sake of the truth" (2 Cor 13:8).

Promise: "I commend you now to the Lord, and to that gracious word of His which can enlarge you, and give you a share among all who are consecrated to Him." —Acts 20:32

Praise: St. Isidore, a holy farmer from Spain, is patron of the United States Rural Life Conference.

(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(For a related teaching on Speak the Truth in Love, view, download or order 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."

"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 April 1, 2024, through May 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio June 22, 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.

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

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

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

Copyright © Presentation Ministries

To add your e-mail address to this list go to https://www.presentationministries.com/subscribe/email

To remove your e-mail address from this list, click here..

“RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT” (Jn 20:22) - One Bread, One Body, 05/13/2024

Monday, May 13, 2024, Our Lady of Fatima
Pentecost Novena — Day 4

Acts 19:1-8
Psalm 68:2-7
John 16:29-33

View Readings

"RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT" (Jn 20:22)
"We have not so much as heard that there is a Holy Spirit." —Acts 19:2

Despite years of quality Catholic education, including receiving the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, I never gave much thought to the Holy Spirit. By God’s grace, I stumbled upon a Life in the Spirit seminar at the age of twenty-one. Scripture passages I had often heard but never grasped suddenly came alive as Catholic men and women shared their experiences of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit taught me through them and made everything new and alive (2 Cor 5:17). It was as if I had never heard of the Holy Spirit before (Acts 19:2). People laid hands on me in prayer (see Acts 19:6) and I rejoiced to receive the Holy Spirit in a deep, personal, and life-changing way. Alleluia!

I might never have received the Spirit like this if not for people who cared enough to share the Spirit with me, teach me, and pray with me to receive the Spirit. Likewise, twelve Ephesian men received the Holy Spirit because St. Paul was not ashamed to share the Spirit with them and lay hands on them (Acts 19:6).

It is generally God’s plan to pass on the Holy Spirit through personal ministry. Many people might never come to know and receive the Holy Spirit if they don’t come to know you. As St. Teresa of Avila said, God has no hands but your hands. During this Pentecost Novena, offer your heart and hands to the Lord as instruments for the Holy Spirit (see Rm 6:13). Sow in the seed-ground of the Spirit, and reap a harvest of eternal life (Gal 6:8).

Prayer: Holy Spirit, flow through me like a living stream, bringing new life and healing to many (Jn 7:38; Ez 47:1ff).

Promise: "I tell you all this that in Me you may find peace. You will suffer in the world. But take courage! I have overcome the world." —Jn 16:33

Praise: Our Lady of Fatima got straight to the point: "Pray! Pray! Pray!"

(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."

"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 April 1, 2024, through May 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio June 22, 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.

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

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

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

Copyright © Presentation Ministries

To add your e-mail address to this list go to https://www.presentationministries.com/subscribe/email

To remove your e-mail address from this list, click here..

THE INCARNATION AND THE CHURCH - One Bread, One Body, 05/12/2024

Sunday, May 12, 2024, Ascension
Pentecost Novena — Day 3

Acts 1:1-11
Ephesians 4:1-13 or

Ephesians 1:17-23
Psalm 47:2-3, 6-9
Mark 16:15-20

View Readings

THE INCARNATION AND THE CHURCH
"No sooner had He said this than He was lifted up before their eyes in a cloud which took Him from their sight." —Acts 1:9

Jesus’ Ascension seemed to have ended our time to benefit from His Incarnation. We could no longer see God face-to-face, hear Him, and touch Him. However, Jesus had promised that He would not leave us orphaned (Jn 14:18). He would be with us always (Mt 28:20), and it is better for us that He go (Jn 16:7).

Jesus knew that His apostles would not understand His Ascension, so He told them to remain in Jerusalem. Within a few days, they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5). They obeyed the Lord after His Ascension and “returned to Jerusalem filled with joy. There they were to be found in the temple constantly, speaking the praises of God” (Lk 24:52-53). “Together they devoted themselves to constant prayer” (Acts 1:14).

After nine days of prayer, 120 of Jesus’ disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:15; 2:4). They baptized 3,000 people that day (Acts 2:41), and the Church was born. This newborn Church eventually came to be recognized as the body of Christ, the continuation and development of Jesus’ Incarnation (e.g. 1 Cor 12:12; Eph 1:23).

Pray the Pentecost Novena for the Holy Spirit to come and guide you to all truth (Jn 16:13), especially the truth about His Incarnation and the Church.

Prayer: Father, I accept Your grace to pray the Pentecost Novena. Come, Holy Spirit!

Promise: "He has put all things under Christ's feet and has made Him, thus exalted, Head of the Church, which is His body: the fullness of Him Who fills the universe in all its parts." —Eph 1:22-23

Praise: Alleluia! Jesus is risen, ascended, and glorified! Praise God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit!



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

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 April 1, 2024, through May 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio June 22, 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.

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

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

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

Copyright © Presentation Ministries

To add your e-mail address to this list go to https://www.presentationministries.com/subscribe/email

To remove your e-mail address from this list, click here..

THE MOST OBSCURE ARE THE MOST POWERFUL - One Bread, One Body, 05/11/2024

Saturday, May 11, 2024, Pentecost Novena — Day 2

Acts 18:23-28
Psalm 47:2-3, 8-10
John 16:23-28

View Readings

THE MOST OBSCURE ARE THE MOST POWERFUL
"When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him home and explained to him God's new way in greater detail." —Acts 18:26

Saints Priscilla and Aquila were kicked out of Rome because they were Jews (Acts 18:2). They were victims of religious persecution and became refugees. Priscilla and Aquila were tentmakers (Acts 18:3), and they had a Christian community based at their home (Rm 16:3-5). This husband and wife were nobodies by the world’s standards. They were just two obscure people, oppressed by Rome’s political machine and ignored by the world.

However, in God’s eyes and therefore in reality, Priscilla and Aquila were among the most important people in history. They helped Paul recover from his failed mission to Athens (see Acts 17:32—18:3). They took home with them the great teacher Apollos and led him to life in the Spirit (see Acts 18:25-28). Paul said of Priscilla and Aquila that they “even risked their lives for the sake of mine. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them” (Rm 16:4).  Priscilla and Aquila are canonized saints.

Priscilla and Aquila lived their marriage and their life in the Holy Spirit. Wherever they went, they bore great fruit in whatever they did. The Lord continues to choose “the world’s lowborn and despised, those who count for nothing” (1 Cor 1:28) to bear great fruit and renew the face of the earth in the power of the Holy Spirit (Ps 104:30). On this second day of the Pentecost Novena, surrender your life to the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Father, make my life like a grain of wheat which falls to the earth, dies, and bears much fruit (Jn 12:24).

Promise: "I give you My assurance, whatever you ask the Father, He will give you in My name." —Jn 16:23

Praise: Maria repented of years of sexual sin. She returned to the Church and now receives the Eucharistic Jesus each morning.

(Pentecost is coming! Consider viewing, downloading or ordering our booklet Praying for a New Pentecost 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."

"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 April 1, 2024, through May 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio June 22, 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.

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

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

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

Copyright © Presentation Ministries

To add your e-mail address to this list go to https://www.presentationministries.com/subscribe/email

To remove your e-mail address from this list, click here..