FRESH FISH - One Bread, One Body, 09/03/2026

Thursday, September 3, 2026, Pope St. Gregory the Great

1 Corinthians 3:18-23
Psalm 24:1-6
Luke 5:1-11

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FRESH FISH
“Amazement at the catch...seized him.” —Luke 5:9

Jesus gave St. Peter a preview of the great harvest of souls in the huge catch of fish. Peter was amazed at the size of the catch and at Jesus (Lk 5:9). Peter’s personal encounter with Jesus was the critical beginning of his ministry. Each of us desperately needs an “encounter with the living Jesus Christ” (Church in America, Pope St. John Paul II, 3). An intimate relationship with Jesus is the foundation of our Christian life (see 1 Cor 3:11). Everything we do flows from this encounter with the crucified and risen Jesus.

However, Peter’s amazement wasn’t strong enough to endure the cross. He denied Jesus three times. Even when Jesus appeared personally to him after He rose from the dead, Peter still wavered. Not long after meeting the risen Jesus, Peter decided to go back to catching fish instead of men (see Jn 21:3). Peter went stale. He lost his freshness. In His mercy, Jesus gave Peter a repeat of their first encounter, right down to the huge catch of fish (Jn 21:6). Finally, Peter received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and stayed fresh till the end of his life.

Have you personally encountered the living Jesus? That’s one goal of this Scriptural booklet (see Lk 24:32). If not, ask Jesus to reveal Himself to you. Then “receive the Holy Spirit” (Jn 20:22), Who keeps you fresh and new in Jesus. Receive the Eucharist daily or as often as possible. If you ask Him, Jesus will give you a “Eucharistic amazement” to keep you fresh (Ecclesia de Eucharistia, Pope St. John Paul II, 6). Lead others to be caught up into an eternity of amazement with Jesus.

Prayer: Father, may I, and all I meet, encounter Jesus, know Him personally (Phil 3:10), and remain in Him (Jn 15:4).

Promise: “Do not be afraid. From now on you will be catching men.” —Lk 5:10

Praise: Pope St. Gregory the Great didn’t allow disease or ailments to disrupt his work for the Church. Despite failing health, he cared for his people in every way that he was able.

(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 August 1, 2026, through September 30, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May, 6, 2026"

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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“ONE BREAD, ONE BODY” (see 1 Cor 10:17) - One Bread, One Body, 09/02/2026

Wednesday, September 2, 2026,

1 Corinthians 3:1-9
Psalm 33:12-15, 20-21
Luke 4:38-44

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“ONE BREAD, ONE BODY” (see 1 Cor 10:17)
“For as long as there are jealousy and quarrels among you, are you not of the flesh?” —1 Corinthians 3:3

The Corinthians were not able to function well as Christians because they were “infants in Christ” (1 Cor 3:1). They were spiritually stunted, for they could not take solid food (1 Cor 3:2). They were malnourished because they were divided (1 Cor 3:4). Division results in spiritual malnutrition and deprivation. Thus, division is an extremely serious problem and sin.

Therefore, Jesus is praying that we be one as He and the Father are one (Jn 17:21). We must “make every effort to preserve the unity which has the Spirit as its origin and peace as its binding force” (Eph 4:3). We must forgive each other or not be forgiven by God (Mt 6:12). We are called to be ministers of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18), even to the point of laying down our lives for one another (see Jn 11:51-52). “If you bring your gift to the altar and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift at the altar, go first to be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Mt 5:23-24).

“Behold, how good it is, and how pleasant, where brethren dwell at one!” (Ps 133:1) Behold, how bad it is, and how deadly, where brethren do not dwell at one! Be one. Go to Communion. Be in communion. Be one through, with, and in Jesus.

Prayer: Father, I repent of going to Communion without being in communion (see 1 Cor 11:29-30).

Promise: “To other towns I must announce the good news of the reign of God, because that is why I was sent.” —Lk 4:43

Praise: Don wakes each morning at 4AM to spend two hours in prayer. He eagerly looks forward to listening daily to his Lord.

(For help to be in communion, listen to, download or order Unity Gifts of the Spirit on AV 3A-3 or V 3A 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 August 1, 2026, through September 30, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May, 6, 2026"

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 ROUT IS ON - One Bread, One Body, 09/01/2026

Tuesday, September 1, 2026,

1 Corinthians 2:10-16
Psalm 145:8-14
Luke 4:31-37

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THE ROUT IS ON
“The demon threw him to the ground before everyone’s eyes and came out of him.” —Luke 4:35

“It was to destroy the devil’s works that the Son of God revealed Himself” (1 Jn 3:8). Jesus began His public ministry driving out demons (e.g. Lk 4:33ff). Jesus gave His Church “authority to expel unclean spirits” (Mt 10:1). In Baptism we reject Satan, all his works, and all his empty promises. “Our battle is not against human forces but against the principalities and powers, the rulers of this world of darkness, the evil spirits in regions above” (Eph 6:12).

Is the kingdom of Satan suffering great losses because of Jesus working through you? Are you and the people around you committing fewer and fewer sins? Are mortal sins less frequently committed in your family, church, business, neighborhood, and city? What strongholds and sophistries of Satan have fallen during your years of living in Christ? (see 2 Cor 10:4) Does Satan have more reasons than ever to be raging at you? Is your picture in the Post Office in hell? Are you on the “wanted” or even “most wanted” list for Satan?

Wield the weapons needed for spiritual battle (see Eph 6:13-17).  Call upon the saints and angels to aid you in the fight, especially St. Michael the Archangel. Stand with Jesus, your Captain, as He places His enemies beneath His feet (Heb 10:13).

Prayer: Father, grace me to do my part in the Church’s attack against the gates of hell (Mt 16:18).

Promise: “But we have the mind of Christ.” —1 Cor 2:16

Praise: Abby teaches her students to live for the moment of Jesus’ return.

(For a related teaching on Spiritual Warfare, view, download or order our leaflet or listen to, download or order AV 57-3 or V 57 on our web-site.)

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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 August 1, 2026, through September 30, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May, 6, 2026"

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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WORKING UNDER PRESSURE - One Bread, One Body, 08/31/2026

Monday, August 31, 2026,

1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Psalm 119:97-102
Luke 4:16-30

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WORKING UNDER PRESSURE
“Do here in Your own country the things we have heard You have done in Capernaum.” —Luke 4:23

The people of Nazareth expected healings in their town just as Jesus had done in Capernaum. However, Jesus refused to be a crowd-pleaser. Instead, He prophesied to His hometown folk and called them to repent (Lk 4:24ff). They were indignant because Jesus had not met their expectations, so they tried to throw Him over a cliff (Lk 4:29:30). Nevertheless, Jesus had done what His Father wanted and did not give in to the pressure.

St. Paul came to the violent city of Corinth after having been laughed at and rejected at Athens (Acts 17:32ff). He had several reasons for being “in weakness and fear, and with much trepidation” (1 Cor 2:3). He was tempted to look good through the eloquent (1 Cor 2:1), “persuasive force of ‘wise’ argumentation” (1 Cor 2:4). However, Paul resisted this temptation. He determined that while he was at Corinth, he “would speak of nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Cor 2:2). He relied on the Spirit (1 Cor 2:4) and not on his natural abilities.

Do you do what God wants even if it is unpopular? Do you give in to pressure? Do you think more of how you look than of what God wants? No matter what, choose always to please God (Gal 1:10).

Prayer: Father, may I obey You faithfully by refusing to be manipulated.

Promise: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me; therefore He has anointed Me. He has sent Me to bring glad tidings to the poor.” —Lk 4:18

Praise: Even when under pressure from other teens, Ashley still professed her faith in Jesus.

(Are you following the Lord in the Single Vocation? We have a retreat for you Sept. 18-20. Call 513-373-2397 or see www.presentationministries.com to register.)

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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 August 1, 2026, through September 30, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May, 6, 2026"

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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MATTER OVER MIND - One Bread, One Body, 08/30/2026

Sunday, August 30, 2026, 22nd Sunday Ordinary Time

Jeremiah 20:7-9
Romans 12:1-2
Psalm 63:2-6, 8-9
Matthew 16:21-27
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MATTER OVER MIND
“Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” —Romans 12:2

To live a free life pleasing to God, we must have renewed minds. To live in heaven forever, we must “acquire a fresh, spiritual way of thinking” (Eph 4:23) and take on the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16).

However, before our minds become renewed, our bodies must be sacrificed to God (Rm 12:1). Jesus bought our bodies at the price of His death on the cross (1 Cor 6:19-20), so when we offer our bodies to Him as living sacrifices, we acknowledge His ownership of them. This means that all parts of our bodies become weapons for justice (Rm 6:13). When we sacrifice our bodies to God, we discipline and master them (1 Cor 9:27). We fast frequently, do bodily penance, and fill up in our bodies what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ (Col 1:24).

Through our sacrificed bodies, God transforms our minds. Finally, through our transformed minds, our sacrificed bodies become transformed themselves. When Jesus comes a final time, “He will give a new form to this lowly body of ours and remake it according to the pattern of His glorified body” (Phil 3:21). This wonderful, and eventually total, transformation of mind and body begins with the offering of our bodies to God. We do this explicitly at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass (see Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2031). Therefore, “I beg you through the mercy of God to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God” (Rm 12:1).

Prayer: Father, may I not lose my mind by holding onto my body.

Promise: “Whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. What profit would a man show if he were to gain the whole world and destroy himself in the process?” —Mt 16:25-26

Praise: Alleluia! Jesus will raise us from the dead! We will see Him face to face! (1 Cor 13:12) Alleluia!



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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 August 1, 2026, through September 30, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May, 6, 2026"

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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PURE PLUS - One Bread, One Body, 08/29/2026

Saturday, August 29, 2026, Martyrdom of St. John the Baptizer

1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Psalm 33:12-13, 18-21
Mark 6:17-29

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PURE PLUS
“John had told Herod, ‘It is not right for you to live with your brother’s wife.’ Herodias harbored a grudge against him for this and wanted to kill him.” —Mark 6:18-19

Many of us have accepted God’s grace to be sexually pure. Many have also told their Christian friends about the importance of having victory over sexual temptations. In talking with our Christian friends, we have probably decried the breakdown of sexual morality. Yet are we proclaiming the truth and freedom of sexual purity to the Herodiases and Herods of our time? This does not mean that we gossip about them behind their backs but that we lovingly and confidentially face them with God’s call to repentance and purity.

It is not good enough to be sexually pure and keep it to ourselves. We must proclaim the truth, freedom, and love of sexual purity to individuals in our promiscuous, confused, sexually addicted, self-deceived, and self-hating society. Some will hear our message and be freed for true love. Others will rage when we love them enough to tell them the truth about sin. They will try to persecute us with a vengeance (see Mt 5:11). We may even be killed as St. John the Baptist was. This will result in many conversions and in our resurrection into the eternal life and joy of heaven.

Therefore, be pure and courageous. Speak “the truth in love” (Eph 4:15). Speak of purity, repentance, and life-giving love. Speak of Jesus.

Prayer: Jesus, make me pure as You are pure (1 Jn 3:3).

Promise: “The eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear Him, upon those who hope for His kindness.” —Ps 33:18

Praise: “I solemnly assure you, history has not known a man born of woman greater than John the Baptizer. Yet the least born into the kingdom of God is greater than he” (Mt 11:11).

(To learn more about The Bible on Sex, 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 August 1, 2026, through September 30, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May, 6, 2026"

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 AFTER-LIFE OF THE CROSS - One Bread, One Body, 08/28/2026

Friday, August 28, 2026, St. Augustine

1 Corinthians 1:17-25
Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 10-11
Matthew 25:1-13

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THE AFTER-LIFE OF THE CROSS
“Keep your eyes open, for you know not the day or the hour.” —Matthew 25:13

Jesus could return, or we could die at any time; for example, right now. If the world were to end or you were to die now, what would happen to you? If your forehead is imprinted with God’s seal, you will leave this earth and live with Jesus forever in the perfect love and happiness of heaven (see Rv 7:3). If you are not sealed by God, the end of the world and the end of your life will be the ultimate and irreversible tragedy for you.

To be imprinted with the seal of God means to be baptized into Christ and into His death on the cross (Rm 6:3). God’s seal is not a physical mark but the radically different life of taking up the cross each day (see Lk 9:23) and sharing His merciful love. “The message of the cross is complete absurdity to those who are headed for ruin, but to us who are experiencing salvation it is the power of God” (1 Cor 1:18). If we live embracing the scandal of the cross and knowing nothing but the absurdity of the cross of Jesus (see 1 Cor 2:2), we will leave this earth resurrected in glory.

Therefore, choose the cross in your relationships, vocations, conversations, activities, entertainment, finances, education, and work. Then you will be ready for anything at any time. “Come, Lord Jesus!” (Rv 22:20)

Prayer: “Now, Master, You can dismiss Your servant in peace; You have fulfilled Your word” (Lk 2:29).

Promise: “For God’s folly is wiser than men, and His weakness more powerful than men.” —1 Cor 1:25

Praise: St. Augustine finally saw that purity was not only more freeing, but possible with God.

(For help with Developing A Deep, Personal Relationship with Jesus, listen to, download or order AV 52-1 or V 52 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 August 1, 2026, through September 30, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May, 6, 2026"

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

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