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Thursday, April 10, 2025

“WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM?” (Mt 16:15) - One Bread, One Body, 04/11/2025

Friday, April 11, 2025, St. Stanislaus

Jeremiah 20:10-13
Psalm 18:2-7
John 10:31-42

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"WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM?" (Mt 16:15)
"You Who are only a man are making Yourself God." —John 10:33

In the Gospel of John, Jesus claims that He is God. He says: “The Father and I are one” (Jn 10:30). He uses the phrase “I AM” to refer to Himself (Jn 8:24, 28, 58), and that phrase is God’s name as revealed to Moses (Ex 3:14).

When the Jewish leaders accused Jesus of making Himself God, Jesus was presented with the perfect opportunity to clarify exactly Who He was (Jn 10:33ff). Jesus’ life was in danger; they were reaching for rocks to stone Him (Jn 10:31). Jesus could have easily said, “Slow down, men! Don’t stone Me. I didn’t mean to imply that I was actually God.” Jesus not only refused to back off His claims to be God; rather, He reinforced His claim that He was indeed God, by virtue of His works, His faith, His obedience, and by having been sent to earth by the Father (Jn 10:34-38).

Jesus claimed to be God’s Son, and therefore His equal (Jn 10:33; Mk 14:61-62). Then Jesus backed up that claim by doing the signs which only God could do. Finally, Jesus underscored His claim to be God by freely deciding to lay down His life rather than renounce that He was God.

Now the decision is ours. Jesus clearly claimed to be God. He asks us: “Who do you say that I am?” (Mt 16:15). As we approach Holy Week, how will you answer Jesus’ question?

Prayer: Jesus, may I never diminish anything You say. Help me to believe You are Who You claim to be, and obey and worship accordingly.

Promise: "Praised be the Lord, I exclaim, and I am safe from my enemies." —Ps 18:4

Praise: St. Stanislaus, bishop of Cracow, Poland, admonished the king of Poland to repent of his adultery. The King responded by murdering Stanislaus as he celebrated Mass. The sacrificial death of Stanislaus bore fruit as his murderer later gave his life to Jesus and became a lay brother in a Benedictine monastery.

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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 April 1, 2025, through May 31, 2025. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio September 4, 2024"

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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Wednesday, April 9, 2025

A HEART-WARMING LENT - One Bread, One Body, 04/10/2025

Thursday, April 10, 2025,

Genesis 17:3-9
Psalm 105:4-9
John 8:51-59

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A HEART-WARMING LENT
"When Abram prostrated himself, God continued to speak to him." —Genesis 17:3

Will you let the Lord say anything to you, even if you don’t understand it or if it seems “too good to be true”? If today you hear His voice, is your heart hardened or opened? (see Ps 95:7-8) The Lord desires that we would listen to Him. He pleads: “If only My people would hear Me...” (Ps 81:14).

One week from today will be the last day of Lent. Throughout Lent, the Lord has been preparing us to hear a special Easter message. We have only one more week to open our hearts.

The Lord wants to say something to us like: “Before Abraham came to be, I AM” (Jn 8:58). Jesus is saying that the long-awaited Messiah has come, that He is the Messiah, and that He is God. However, most people of Jesus’ time were not ready to hear such great news. Accordingly, they rejected Jesus and picked up rocks to throw at Him (Jn 8:59).

God likewise had some great news for Abraham. The Lord announced He was making an everlasting covenant with Abraham to make him “the father of a host of nations” (Gn 17:4). Even though it was hard to believe, Abraham received God’s Word. He laid prostrate before the Lord and listened to God’s voice.

Did you ever have great news to share and it repeatedly fell on deaf ears? Then you can relate to the Lord and why He’s trying to open our hearts this Lent.

Prayer: Sacred Heart of Jesus, give me an open, warm, humble, loving, listening heart.

Promise: "I solemnly assure you, if a man is true to My word he shall never see death." —Jn 8:51

Praise: Pete has been studying Scripture daily for over thirty years. He teaches the Bible each week to several groups.

(For a related teaching on Hearing God view, download or listen to

Audio

Video

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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 April 1, 2025, through May 31, 2025. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio September 4, 2024"

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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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..

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

BORN ENSLAVED, BORN AGAIN FREE - One Bread, One Body, 04/09/2025

Wednesday, April 9, 2025,

Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95
Daniel 3:52-56
John 8:31-42

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BORN ENSLAVED, BORN AGAIN FREE
"No slave has a permanent place in the family, but the son has a place there forever." —John 8:35

We are preparing for Easter, which arrives in eleven days. If the Son (Jesus) frees us, we are really free (Jn 8:36). John calls Jesus “the Son” when he proclaims that Jesus will free us.

In Jesus’ time, most people were slaves not because they were sold into slavery but because they were born into it. Freedom and slavery depended upon whose son or daughter you were. Thus, when Jesus promised freedom, some of the Jews claimed they were already free because they were children of God (Jn 8:41) and of Abraham (Jn 8:33). Jesus questioned whether Abraham was their father because they didn’t act like Abraham (Jn 8:39ff). Jesus accused them of being children of the devil (Jn 8:44). This means they were slaves because they were children of a slave and an enslaver.

When you were baptized, you became a son or daughter of God (see Gal 3:26-27). Therefore, you became free. However, free people can choose to live like slaves. Live your Baptism. In eleven days, renew your baptismal promises with total love and great faith. Live as sons and daughters of God. Be free.

Prayer: Father, free me by sending the Holy Spirit to cry out in my heart, "Abba" (Gal 4:6).

Promise: "I see four men unfettered and unhurt, walking in the fire, and the fourth looks like a son of God." —Dn 3:92

Praise: "I see four men unfettered and unhurt, walking in the fire, and the fourth looks like a son of God." —Dn 3:92

(For more teaching on Lent and the Renewal of Our Baptismal Promises view, download or order our leaflet on our website.)

Monday, April 7, 2025

A SIGHT TO HEAL THE BITE - One Bread, One Body, 04/08/2025

Tuesday, April 8, 2025,

Numbers 21:4-9
Psalm 102:2-3, 16-21
John 8:21-30

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Listen to Fr. Al Daily Bread Radio Program

A SIGHT TO HEAL THE BITE
"Moses accordingly made a bronze serpent and mounted it on a pole, and whenever anyone who had been bitten by a serpent looked at the bronze serpent, he recovered." —Numbers 21:9

Satan the serpent bites people, injecting the venom of bitterness, unforgiveness, revenge, malice, and many other poisonous ills. In His mercy, God has sent the perfect antidote to the effects of this venomous poison: one faith-filled look at Jesus, lifted up on the cross (Jn 3:14-15; 8:28) brings healing. “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that all who believe may have eternal life in Him” (Jn 3:14-15). But do we truly want to be healed if it means looking to Jesus for healing?

Jesus was lifted up from the earth upon the cross and died to free us from our sins. He came to heal us, not to condemn us (Jn 3:17). Sadly, many prefer to live in the poison of sin rather than turn to Jesus for healing (see Jn 3:19-20). Jesus warns that if we make such a choice, we will die in our sins (Jn 8:24).

It’s as though people are filled with cancer, but prefer that painful death rather than humble themselves to admit that the venomous cancer of sin is a fatal problem. A doctor would say, “Your body is filled with cancer. You will die from your cancer.” Doctor Jesus warns in His diagnosis, “You will surely die in your sins” (Jn 8:24). But we, in pride and denial, say, “We have no sin” (see 1 Jn 1:10; Jn 9:40). Thus many “refuse to come to [Jesus] to possess life” (Jn 5:40).

Repent! Turn to Jesus; look at Jesus crucified (Jn 8:28). Receive Him as your Healer and Lord.

Prayer: Jesus, I repent of thinking I know more about my life than You do. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on You (Heb 12:2).

Promise: "When you lift up the Son of Man, you will come to realize that I AM." —Jn 8:28

Praise: Charles took a leap of faith, began tithing, and soon found that his credit card debt began to dwindle.

(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 April 1, 2025, through May 31, 2025. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio September 4, 2024"

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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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..

Sunday, April 6, 2025

DEEP LOVE OR IGNORANT SUPERFICIALITY? - One Bread, One Body, 04/07/2025

Monday, April 7, 2025, St. John Baptist de la Salle

Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62
Psalm 23:1-6
John 8:12-20

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DEEP LOVE OR IGNORANT SUPERFICIALITY?
"Jesus spoke to them once again: 'I am the Light of the world. No follower of Mine shall ever walk in darkness; no, he shall possess the Light of life.' " —John 8:12

The Pharisees did not recognize Jesus as the Light of the world because of their ignorance. They did not know where Jesus came from or where He was going (Jn 8:14). Also, they did not recognize Who Jesus was because of their superficiality. They judged by appearances (Jn 8:15).

The Pharisees refused to recognize Jesus as Light, Lord, Savior, and God because they lacked intimate union with both Jesus and the Father. They did not know the Father and the Son personally (Jn 8:19). The Pharisees’ lack of intimate union with Jesus was the cause of their ignorance and superficiality. It was the ultimate cause of failing to see Jesus the Light.

Today, many Christians are Biblically illiterate. They don’t know what God has revealed in His Word. Many Catholic Christians are woefully ignorant and confused about what the Church teaches. Moreover, many Christians seem to be trying to “play games” with God. They dabble in Christianity while avoiding a deep, total commitment to the Lord. This ignorance and superficiality are due to a lack of an encounter with Jesus. If we love someone, we’ll do all we can to learn everything possible about them, and we will want to love them more deeply.

This Lent, let’s decide to know and love the Lord personally, deeply, and totally.

Prayer: Lord, may I love You with all my heart (Mt 22:37).

Promise: "Thus was innocent blood spared that day." —Dn 13:62

Praise: St. John Baptist de la Salle knew at the age of eleven that he was called to be a priest.

(For a related teaching on Living in Reality view, download or order our booklet on our website.)

Saturday, April 5, 2025

JESUS “THE AUTHOR” (Acts 3:15) - One Bread, One Body, 04/06/2025

Sunday, April 6, 2025, Fifth Sunday of Lent

Isaiah 43:16-21
Philippians 3:8-14
Psalm 126:1-6
John 8:1-11
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JESUS "THE AUTHOR" (Acts 3:15)
Jesus "bent down and wrote on the ground." —John 8:8

Sinners are called to repent and then to “give no thought to what lies behind” (Phil 3:13). Victims are likewise called to not live in the past and to shake off the dust from any rejections (see Mt 10:14). How is this just? It’s just since Jesus paid the price for both sinners and victims. Jesus makes it right; He makes all things new (Is 43:19; Rv 21:5).

Jesus forgave the woman caught in the act of adultery (Jn 8:4, 11). Yet how can a marriage which suffers the trauma of adultery be made new? It seems Jesus is doing nothing for the victimized husband of the woman; He just writes in the dust (Jn 8:6, 8). Yet Jesus “remembers that we are dust” (Ps 103:14), and He writes something new in each life to transform both sinner and victim. He transforms dust into good, fruitful soil, and makes new life where there was destruction and desolation (see Is 43:20).

Now the issue becomes, will we accept His re-writing? Will we accept His action to renew all things His way rather than our way? Will we accept Jesus’ call to forgive? Will we choose His mercy rather than our vindication? Can we reappraise our plans as rubbish? (Phil 3:8) Will we believe that Jesus is at work when it appears He is callous to our suffering, allowing injustice, and seemingly doing nothing?

God says, “See, I am doing something new!...Do you not perceive it?” (Is 43:19) Jesus is interacting with our fallen, hurting world. He remembers we are dust, and so He is bending down and writing His Good News on the dust of our life.

Prayer: Jesus, I give You permission to write the remaining chapters of my life any way You wish.

Promise: "Nor do I condemn you. You may go. But from now on, avoid this sin." —Jn 8:11

Praise: Praise Jesus, our Life, Love, and risen Lord God. Alleluia!

(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 April 1, 2025, through May 31, 2025. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio September 4, 2024"

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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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..

Friday, April 4, 2025

CHRISTIANS HAVE MORE THAN NINE LIVES - One Bread, One Body, 04/05/2025

Saturday, April 5, 2025, St. Vincent Ferrer

Jeremiah 11:18-20
Psalm 7:2-3, 9-12
John 7:40-53

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Listen to Fr. Al Daily Bread Radio Program

CHRISTIANS HAVE MORE THAN NINE LIVES
"Let us destroy the tree in its vigor; let us cut him off from the land of the living." —Jeremiah 11:19

The Lord informed Jeremiah (Jer 11:18) “of the evil done by the house of Israel and by the house of Judah” (Jer 11:17). Yet Jeremiah did not realize “that they were hatching plots against” him (Jer 11:19). Like Jeremiah, we know we live in a culture of death. We know that sin is not only committed but glorified. We even know that we have enemies and persecutors. Nonetheless, do we realize that the devil is “prowling like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour”? (1 Pt 5:8)

But for the grace of God, we could be killed today. As “children of God beyond reproach in the midst of a twisted and depraved generation” (Phil 2:15), we are in extreme danger. If we only knew the thousands of times the Lord in His mercy has saved the lives of each one of us, we would give our lives totally to Him and thank Him forever!

How shall we “make a return to the Lord for all the good He has done” for us? (Ps 116:12) Thank God for the gifts of life, His loving protection, victory over the evil one, peace, and eternal life. Worship the Lord in Spirit and truth (Jn 4:24). Tell everyone about the Lord. Rejoice in Him always (Phil 4:4). “Should anyone ask you the reason for this hope of yours, be ever ready to reply” (1 Pt 3:15). The Lord has repeatedly saved your life and given you eternal life. Live for love of Jesus.

Prayer: Father, "though a thousand fall" at my side, ten thousand at my right side, near me "it shall not come" (Ps 91:7).

Promise: "No man ever spoke like that before." —Jn 7:46

Praise: St. Vincent's motto was: "Whatever you do, think not of yourself, but of God."

(God has given us a great gift - the Sacraments! Our retreat May 16-17, Intimacy with God, will increase your appreciation of His love for you. Call 513-373-2397 or visit www.presentationministries.com for information or to register.)

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