REPENT! - One Bread, One Body, 10/03/2025

Friday, October 3, 2025,

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

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REPENT!
"We, with our kings and rulers and priests and prophets, and with our fathers, have sinned in the Lord's sight and disobeyed Him." —Baruch 1:16-18

Although Jesus was free from sin (Heb 4:15), He began His public ministry by receiving St. John’s baptism of repentance (see Mk 1:4, 9). Jesus’ initial and foundational message was: “Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mk 1:15, RSV-CE). Jesus expected His miracles to lead people to repent. He declared: “It will go ill with you, Chorazin! And just as ill with you, Bethsaida! If the miracles worked in your midst had occurred in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have reformed in sackcloth and ashes” (Lk 10:13). Jesus told parables about the heavenly joy which comes from repentance (Lk 15:7, 10). Jesus lived and died calling us to repentance. At the first Christian Pentecost, the Church, on its birthday, embraced the message of repentance. When Peter was asked: “What are we to do?” (Acts 2:37), he answered: “Repent, and be baptized” (Acts 2:38, RSV-CE).

May we likewise grasp the basic message of Christ. May we repent, confess our sins, and accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord. May we also be ministers of reconciliation and invite others to repent (2 Cor 5:18; see also Mt 7:5). May we share in the joy of heaven over one sinner who repents (Lk 15:7). May the blood Jesus shed and the death Jesus died to free us from our sins not be “in vain” (1 Cor 15:2). Let us be a people of repentance, salvation, freedom, reconciliation, joy, and love.

Prayer: Father, baptize me, immerse me in repentance.

Promise: "He who hears you, hears Me. He who rejects you, rejects Me. And he who rejects Me, rejects Him Who sent Me." —Lk 10:16

Praise: Just hearing a friend mention her desire to receive the Sacrament of Penance was enough to inspire Diane to do the same.

(For a related teaching on The Secret of Confession, 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, 2025, through November 30, 2025. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio April 2, 2025"

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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ANGEL FOOD - One Bread, One Body, 10/02/2025

Thursday, October 2, 2025, Guardian Angels

Nehemiah 8:1-12
Psalm 19:8-11
Matthew 18:1-5, 10

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ANGEL FOOD
"Their angels in heaven constantly behold My heavenly Father's face." —Matthew 18:10

The Scriptures tell us to take care not to rebel against our guardian angels (Ex 23:21). Most of us don’t think we’re guilty of rebelling because we’ve hardly thought of our guardian angels. Possibly that is why the Scriptures tell us to “be attentive” to the angel that guards us (Ex 23:21). Ignoring our guardian angels may be a subtle way of rebelling against them. No wonder our enemy, the devil, seems to get the best of us, although God promised we would have the victory (Ex 23:22), for that promise is conditional on our heeding the voice of our angels.

Let’s not give angels the “silent treatment” by disregarding them and by ignoring God’s Word about them. They attend to us and never forget us. Jesus warns us not to despise the little ones, that is, Christians, saying: “I assure you, their angels in heaven constantly behold My heavenly Father’s face” (Mt 18:10).

We have all had people ignore us, so we know what angels experience. Just because angels are invisible is no reason to ignore them. Many of the best things in life are invisible. We have faith by which we operate in the invisible dimension. Faith is “conviction about things we do not see” (Heb 11:1). With the eyes of faith, be attentive to your angel. This will help you love Jesus.

Prayer: Father, increase my faith so I don't miss out on the things that matter most in life.

Promise: "Whoever makes himself lowly, becoming like this child, is of greatest importance in that heavenly reign. Whoever welcomes one such child for My sake welcomes Me." —Mt 18:4-5

Praise: Praise be to the Triune God, Who has given us each an angel to be "the custodian of [our] lives" (Bar 6:6, NAB).

(Join us for a weekend retreat featuring the Gospel of John, Oct. 18-20. Call 513-373-2397 or see our website 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 from October 1, 2025, through November 30, 2025. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio April 2, 2025"

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 ZENITH OF HUMAN LIFE - One Bread, One Body, 10/01/2025

Wednesday, October 1, 2025, St. Thérèse of Lisieux

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

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THE ZENITH OF HUMAN LIFE
"Someone said to Him, 'I will be Your follower wherever You go.' " —Luke 9:57

To be disciples of Jesus, that is, Christians, we must give Jesus our whole lives. We must not expect anything in return, for Jesus and His disciples do not have anywhere to lay their heads (see Lk 9:58). We must not only give Jesus everything, but we must do it without delay (see Lk 9:59ff). We should not put it off, wait till tomorrow, or do something else first (see Lk 14:18-20). Moreover, disciples of Jesus totally commit themselves to Him forever. There should be no turning back (Lk 9:62).

If we understand what it means to be Christian, we quickly realize that such total love is humanly impossible. However, “nothing is impossible with God” (Lk 1:37). He gives us the grace to love Him as He wants to be loved, and His grace is always sufficient (2 Cor 12:9). Thus, “it is owing to His favor that salvation is yours through faith. This is not your own doing; it is God’s gift” (Eph 2:8).

Therefore, accept Jesus on His terms. His grace is available to you at this moment. By His grace, repent of anything you are putting ahead of being Jesus’ disciple. If you have already accepted Jesus as your Lord, renew your Baptism and share your faith in Jesus with others as soon as possible. A tell-tale sign of being Jesus’ disciple is that you are trying to “make disciples of all the nations” (Mt 28:19).

To be a disciple of Jesus is the zenith of human life. It is the privilege of privileges. Rejoice forever that Jesus has chosen you to be His disciple.

Prayer: Father, give me a disciple's heart. St. Thérèse, pray for me to love Jesus much more deeply.

Promise: "The king granted my requests, for the favoring hand of my God was upon me." —Neh 2:8

Praise: St. Thérèse committed her life to the Lord by giving Him everything moment by moment. She mastered the practice of offering countless little acts of love daily to Jesus.



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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, 2025, through November 30, 2025. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio April 2, 2025"

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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READY, GET SET, GO - One Bread, One Body, 09/30/2025

Tuesday, September 30, 2025, St. Jerome

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

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READY, GET SET, GO
Jesus "set His face to go to Jerusalem." —Luke 9:51, RSV-CE

Jesus “firmly resolved to proceed toward Jerusalem” (Lk 9:51). This was one of the most important decisions in human history. This decision to go to Jerusalem was a crucial moment in God’s plan of salvation, for it ended in Jesus’ saving death and glorious Resurrection.

Immediately after making this decision, Jesus was opposed by Samaritans and had to rebuke Sts. James and John to deliver them from the evil one (Lk 9:53, 55). We likewise face serious problems after we make our most important decisions for Jesus. How many people have been rejected by their friends and co-workers after they have decided to give their lives to Jesus? So many Christians have made the decision to be pure, only to face what seemed to be huge temptations, and even abuse, for trying to live a holy life.

After I had “set my face” toward the vocation of the priesthood, the devil tried to talk me out of it by spotlighting many abuses in the Church. Many Christian couples, after they have “set their faces” toward becoming a holy family, experience financial difficulties. Those who set their faces in obedience to God have unsettling experiences.

Nevertheless, we all must keep our faces set towards God’s will in our life. If we do, we will finally rise from the dead after having suffered and died for love of Jesus. Set your face (see Is 50:7).

Prayer: Father, may I not move to the right or to the left, but be set in Your ways (Dt 5:32; Prv 4:25-27).

Promise: "Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem and to implore the favor of the Lord." —Zec 8:22

Praise: St. Jerome spent four years in the desert, learning God's Word in solitude and prayer.

(Give our Bible Telephone Line a try. Call 513-823-3111.)

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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 August 1, 2025, through September 30, 2025. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 8, 2025"

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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REALITY CHECK - One Bread, One Body, 09/29/2025

Monday, September 29, 2025 , Sts. Michael, Gabriel & Raphael, Archangels

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 or
Revelation 12:7-12
Psalm 138:1-5
John 1:47-51
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REALITY CHECK
"His throne was flames of fire, with wheels of burning fire. A surging stream of fire flowed out from where He sat; thousands upon thousands were ministering to Him." —Daniel 7:9-10

Many people have a false impression of angels. They think angels are cute or sweet. This false impression contributes to a skewed view of God and of the entire plan of salvation. Many people think that life in Christ is nice, but not necessary.

The fact is that angels are formidable and even terrifying. The name “Michael” means “Who is like God?” This is an in-your-face challenge to repent and humble yourself. The archangel Gabriel doesn’t tolerate any foolishness. When Zechariah didn’t immediately believe a message from Gabriel, the archangel said to 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). If you don’t talk properly to an angel, you may not talk at all. Moreover, the archangel Raphael doesn’t seem to feel any “warm fuzzies” for us. He bluntly states: “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” (Tb 12:18).

Angels don’t necessarily make you feel good about yourself. Rather, the true understanding of angels confronts us with reality to check us from making God in our own image and likeness, and thereby warping Christianity past recognition. Believe divine revelation about angels, tremble at God’s Word (Is 66:2), and know that “it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb 10:31), for He is a consuming Fire of love (Heb 12:29).

Prayer: Father, on this day give me the fear of the Lord which is the beginning of wisdom (Ps 111:10).

Promise: "You shall see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." —Jn 1:51

Praise: "Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord, praise and exalt Him above all forever" (Dn 3:58).



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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 August 1, 2025, through September 30, 2025. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 8, 2025"

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 GULF WAR - One Bread, One Body, 09/28/2025

Sunday, September 28, 2025, 26th Sunday Ordinary Time

Amos 6:1, 4-7
1 Timothy 6:11-16
Psalm 146:7-10
Luke 16:19-31
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THE GULF WAR
"Between you and us there is fixed a great abyss, so that those who might wish to cross from here to you cannot do so, nor can anyone cross from your side to us." —Luke 16:26

The rich man, traditionally known as Dives, spent eternity staring across a great chasm separating himself from the Lord (Lk 16:26). How ironic! Dives spent his lifetime constructing this chasm (or gulf) to isolate himself from the poor. Now this gulf, built day by day during his life, could not be undone in eternity.

In the USA, many gulfs have been built to isolate the not-so-poor from the poor. We have suburbs, which the poor can’t reach because of distance and low income. We have expensive colleges and professional training, which often serve to exclude those without sufficient income. The high cost of medical insurance often excludes the poor from the treatment they need.

This is not meant so much to criticize those who enjoy these things as it is to make the point that those who have a gulf between themselves and the poor must work harder than ever to bridge that gulf. Charity obliges those with a sufficiency to share with those without (see 2 Cor 8:14). “Woe to the complacent” who do not reach out to the Lazaruses in their midst (Am 6:1).

King Jesus will judge us on our outreach to the poor (see Mt 25:35ff). All Christians are to “be mindful of the poor” (Gal 2:10) and even have “a preferential love” for the poor (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2448). Reach out to the poor. Bridge the gulf now, before you have to stare across it forever.

Prayer: Jesus, You made Yourself poor for My sake (2 Cor 8:9). Give me Your heart, mind, love, and ministry to the poor.

Promise: "Happy he [...who] secures justice for the oppressed, [and] gives food to the hungry." —Ps 146:5, 7

Praise: Praise Jesus, Who is meek and humble of heart, yet Lord of the universe and Ruler of all creation. 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 August 1, 2025, through September 30, 2025. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 8, 2025"

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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QUESTION GOD - One Bread, One Body, 09/27/2025

Saturday, September 27, 2025, St. Vincent de Paul

Zechariah 2:5-9, 14-15
Jeremiah 31:10-13
Luke 9:43-45

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QUESTION GOD
"They failed, however, to understand this warning; its meaning was so concealed from them they did not grasp it at all, and they were afraid to question Him about the matter." —Luke 9:45

We often question God concerning disappointments, sufferings, and failures. We ask: “Why me?”, “How long?”, “What’s wrong?”, “What can I do?” Yet we are afraid to ask the Lord other questions. He wants us to ask Him about our daily cross (Lk 9:23), not to get out of it but into it. Jesus calls us to ask how we can die to self to bear fruit for His kingdom (Lk 9:24). He motivates us to pray that we may know how to suffer redemptively in “the pattern of His death” (Phil 3:10).

The great saints often questioned God about getting into suffering and finding their joy in it (Col 1:24). Do we grasp the cross at all? (Lk 9:45) Are we afraid to question Jesus about this matter? (Lk 9:45) If we ask the hard question, we’ll get a miraculous answer. We’ll boast with St. Paul of “the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Gal 6:14). We’ll pray with St. Francis: “We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You, because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.”

Prayer: "Jesus, keep me near the cross. There's a precious fountain."

Promise: "Many nations shall join themselves to the Lord on that day." —Zec 2:15

Praise: St. Vincent de Paul ministered to the poor by forming organizations of charity, appealing to those in power, and loving the poor as a humble pastor of souls.

(For a related teaching on Redemptive Suffering listen to, download or order our AV75-1 or DVD 75 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 August 1, 2025, through September 30, 2025. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 8, 2025"

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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