SUCCESS IS SPELLED C-R-O-S-S - One Bread, One Body, 02/11/2026

Wednesday, February 11, 2026, Our Lady of Lourdes

1 Kings 10:1-10
Psalm 37:5-6, 30-31, 39-40
Mark 7:14-23

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SUCCESS IS SPELLED C-R-O-S-S
"Blessed be the Lord, your God, Whom it has pleased to place you on the throne of Israel." —1 Kings 10:9

Solomon was the wisest person who had ever lived or will ever live (1 Kgs 3:12). He was amazingly rich and lived in such majesty as to leave even the sophisticated queen of Sheba breathless (1 Kgs 10:5).

The Lord made Solomon so awesome to confirm His promise that the Davidic dynasty would last forever (2 Sm 7:16) and bring forth the Messiah (1 Sm 16:1; Mi 5:1). The success of David, Solomon, and their descendants was seen as proof they were God’s chosen ones.

Today, many people think prosperity indicates God’s approval of their life. However, the “prosperity gospel” is only true if we look at prosperity in the long run, and if we define it by Biblical standards. For instance, Jesus was the ultimate Chosen One, yet He appeared a failure. He underwent adversity rather than prosperity for much of His life. Nevertheless, after His crucifixion, when He rose from the dead and ascended to the right hand of the Father, He was certainly more than prosperous (see Is 52:13; 53:12).

Success or prosperity, by Biblical standards, is centered on the wisdom, power (1 Cor 1:24), and glory of the cross (see Gal 6:14). God’s chosen ones are chosen for the glory of the resurrection only because they are chosen for the apparent failure of the cross.

 

Prayer: Father, may I boast of nothing but the cross of Jesus (Gal 6:14).

Promise: "Commit to the Lord your way; trust in Him, and He will act." —Ps 37:5

Praise: Our Lady of Lourdes led St. Bernadette through acts of faith, trials, and miracles toward a holiness that led countless others on the same path.



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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 February 1, 2026, through March 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio August 27, 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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JESUS, THE ULTIMATE TRADITIONALIST - One Bread, One Body, 02/10/2026

Tuesday, February 10, 2026, St. Scholastica

1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30
Psalm 84:3-5, 10-11
Mark 7:1-13

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JESUS, THE ULTIMATE TRADITIONALIST
"For example, Moses said..." —Mark 7:10

Christianity is based on divine traditions, that is, the handing on of what the Holy Spirit has revealed to God’s people. The Bible itself is written to hand on some divine traditions (see 2 Thes 2:15). Therefore, without respect for tradition, the very basis of Christianity is undermined.

One of the main ways the devil tries to ruin our respect for tradition is by tempting us to place human traditions ahead of divine ones. He wants us to react to this error by trying to throw out tradition instead of throwing out the error. Therefore, Jesus was very interested in showing religious leaders that they were disregarding God’s commandments, which are divine traditions, and clinging “to what is human tradition” (Mk 7:8). Here Jesus was trying to guard the divine traditions expressed in the Bible from being set aside (Mk 7:9) or nullified (Mk 7:13) by mere human traditions.

The devil tries to turn tradition against itself — to use human traditions to destroy divine ones. However, Jesus protects divine tradition from this attack. He is the divine Defender of divine tradition. Jesus is a Traditionalist in the ultimate sense.

Prayer: Father, may I put divine tradition ahead of human tradition, including the tradition to attack tradition.

Promise: May Your eyes watch night and day over this temple, the place where You have decreed You shall be honored; may You heed the prayer which I, Your servant, offer in this place." —1 Kgs 8:29

Praise: St. Scholastica founded a religious community five miles from the monastery of her twin brother, St. Benedict.

(For a related teaching on What is Tradition?, listen to, download or order our AV 77-1 or V 77 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 February 1, 2026, through March 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio August 27, 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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TRIUMPHAL ENTRIES - One Bread, One Body, 02/09/2026

Monday, February 9, 2026,

1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13
Psalm 132:6-10
Mark 6:53-56

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TRIUMPHAL ENTRIES
"...to bring up the ark of the Lord's covenant from the city of David." —1 Kings 8:1

In today’s first reading, we hear about the triumphal entry of the ark of the covenant into the new temple which King Solomon had built (1 Kgs 8:1ff). Jesus likewise made a triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday (Mt 21:1-11). Both triumphal entries featured large crowds of rejoicing people. This can be seen in modern times when championship sports teams have triumphal entries called victory parades.

At each Holy Mass, Jesus makes a triumphal entry. The Lord makes a public show of the forces of evil, leading them off captive, triumphant in the person of Christ (Col 2:15). Where are the crowds? Yet even though Jesus is completely accessible to us (see Eph 2:18), we are often not accessible to Him.

If your favorite sports team won a championship, would you participate in the parade? If your favorite entertainer came to town, would you eagerly attend the concert? In that context, can you show up today and this week at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass to welcome Jesus in His triumphal entry? Be present at Mass to welcome Him, so that He need not have to ask: “Why was no one there when I came?” (Is 50:2) Flock to worship Him. Join in His triumph at each Mass.

Prayer: Father, I am so proud of Jesus' triumph over sin and death. I dedicate myself to thanking and worshipping Him daily.

Promise: "All who touched Him got well." —Mk 6:56

Praise: Fr. Roger has attended Mass every day for over thirty years, first as a layman, then as a seminarian, and now as a priest.

(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(For a related teaching on Life-Changing Masses-No Matter What, view, download or order our pamphlet 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 February 1, 2026, through March 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio August 27, 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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LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS - One Bread, One Body, 02/08/2026

Sunday, February 8, 2026, 5th Sunday Ordinary Time

Isaiah 58:7-10
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Psalm 112:4-9
Matthew 5:13-16
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LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS
"Your light must shine before men." —Matthew 5:16

In today’s Mass readings, light shines through the presence of gloom (Is 58:10; Ps 112:4). The light of Christ shines through the seeming gloom of the cross (see Mt 4:16; Is 9:1). That is the “real light” (Jn 1:9; 1 Jn 2:8), the spotlight, the beacon shining out in the gloom of night. Today’s Mass features this prayer in the Preface: “You have called us out of darkness into Your own wonderful light” (see 1 Pt 2:9).

In today’s Gospel, Jesus declares: “You are the light of the world” (Mt 5:14). However, the light of Christ shining through you must not be hidden under a bushel basket (Mt 5:15). The bushel basket is not humility; it is a combination of pride and fear.

We ourselves are not the light (see Jn 1:8). Instead, we are to be like stained-glass windows, which “magnify” the light, just as the Blessed Virgin Mary magnified the Lord (see Lk 1:46). The light of Christ shining through us “shall break forth like the dawn” (Is 58:8) and shine through the darkness (see Ps 112:4). “Light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday” (Is 58:10).

Jesus crucified is the Light of the World (Jn 8:12). The Creed we say at Mass proclaims: “Light from light,” meaning Jesus the Light is sent from the Father Who is Light (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 242). In a similar way, let Christ’s light shine brightly in your daily life and actions. It’s dark and gloomy out there. Proclaim the crucified Jesus. Let His light shine.

Prayer: Father, set a fire in my heart that burns with the love of Jesus for all to see.

Promise: "Your faith rests not on the wisdom of men but on the power of God." —1 Cor 2:5

Praise: Praise You, Jesus, for Your great light dispelling the darkness of gloom (Is 9:1). You are the true Light. 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 February 1, 2026, through March 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio August 27, 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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WHOSE NEEDS CONCERN YOU? - One Bread, One Body, 02/07/2026

Saturday, February 7, 2026,

1 Kings 3:4-13
Psalm 119:9-14
Mark 6:30-34

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WHOSE NEEDS CONCERN YOU?
"God said: 'Ask something of Me and I will give it to you.' " —1 Kings 3:5

God gave the young King Solomon the opportunity to gain everything a man could want (1 Kgs 3:5). But at that point in his life, Solomon made an unselfish decision: to ask not for personal gain, but for the wisdom to be a good ruler for God’s people, the nation of Israel (1 Kgs 3:9).

Jesus had such a busy ministry that He had no time even to eat (Mk 6:31). Yet He put a higher priority on the spiritual and temporal needs of His people than on His own personal needs. “He began to teach them at great length” (Mk 6:34).

What about you? What is on your heart? What would you ask for from God if He told you to ask Him for something? (1 Kgs 3:5; Mt 7:7) God knows everything you need before you ask (Mt 6:8).

The hand of the Lord feeds us; He answers all our needs (Ps 145:16, 19). Since He provides all that we need, His plan is for us to not focus on our own needs and interests. Let the Lord change your focus to be on God’s interests and the needs of others (Phil 2:20-21).

Prayer: Father, transform me in Your Son Jesus Christ. Renew my mind so I am able to serve You and Your people (Rm 12:2).

Promise: "Within my heart I treasure Your promise, that I may not sin against You." —Ps 119:11

Praise: Matt has volunteered in prison ministry for decades, bringing the Good News of Jesus to the incarcerated (see Mt 25:36).

(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(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 February 1, 2026, through March 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio August 27, 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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WEB PAGE - One Bread, One Body, 02/06/2026

Friday, February 6, 2026, St. Paul Miki & Companions

Sirach 47:2-11
Psalm 18:31, 47, 50-51
Mark 6:14-29

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WEB PAGE
"The man went and beheaded John in the prison. He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother." —Mark 6:28

“Herodias harbored a grudge against” St. John the Baptizer (Mk 6:19) “because John had told Herod, ‘It is not right for you to live with your brother’s wife’ ” (Mk 6:18). So Herodias got Herod to arrest, chain, and imprison John (Mk 6:17). However, she was not able to get Herod to kill John until “Herod held a birthday dinner for his court circle, military officers, and the leading men of Galilee” (Mk 6:21). We don’t know, but Herod may have been drinking too much alcohol. We also don’t know, but Herod may have been lusting for the dancing daughter of Herodias. (Herod was already living in a lustful, adulterous relationship with Herodias.) Possibly Herod was drunk and even more susceptible to lust. To impress the girl and everyone else, Herod swore that he would give her whatever she asked for, even to half of his kingdom (Mk 6:23). This may not have made Herodias happy since a younger woman, her own daughter, was being favored rather than she herself. Herodias, nonetheless, exploited the situation to get John beheaded (Mk 6:24). Herod still could have eaten his words. “Yet because of his oath and the presence of the guests, he did not want to refuse her” (Mk 6:26).

What are the makings of a murder, or of other mortal sins? Are they sexual sins, pride, grudges, compromises, alcohol, lust, and rash statements? Satan knows how to weave a web. Will you be trapped in it and damned? Or will you repent?

Prayer: Father, I will humble myself, repent, and go to Confession.

Promise: "The Lord forgave him his sins and exalted his strength forever." —Sir 47:11

Praise: After St. Paul Miki and his twenty-five companions were martyred in Nagasaki, Japan, thousands of people in that area secretly kept the Faith alive for over 250 years until missionaries were again allowed in Japan.



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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 February 1, 2026, through March 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio August 27, 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 WORD LESS SPOKEN - One Bread, One Body, 02/05/2026

Thursday, February 5, 2026, St. Agatha

1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12
1 Chronicles 29:10-12
Mark 6:7-13

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THE WORD LESS SPOKEN
"They went off, preaching the need of repentance."—Mark 6:12

Repentance is a term meaning to view things differently and so turn one’s life around in a different direction, generally involving renouncing and confessing sins. When was the last time you used the word “repent” in a conversation? When was the last time you encouraged someone to repent? For that matter, when was the last time you repented?

Jesus commissioned His twelve apostles to drive out demons (Mk 6:7; Mt 10:8). On Catholic radio, I once heard an interview with an exorcist who said that one instance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, that is, Confession, is as powerful as a hundred exorcisms. Proclaiming the need of repentance is critical to Jesus’ ministry of setting the captives free (Lk 4:18). So, now is the time (see 2 Cor 6:2) to talk about “the need of repentance” (Mk 6:12). The Lord is very merciful and kind (see Ps 103:8). He rejoices in repentant sinners (Lk 15:10).

Will you repent today? Will you speak the word “repent” to someone today? A good guideline on the use of the word “repent” is to speak of repentance as often as Jesus did. “Search the Scriptures” (Jn 5:39), and take note of how often Jesus speaks of repentance.

Today, on Thursday, we Catholics pray the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary. The third luminous mystery is the Proclamation of the Kingdom of God, with the Call to Repentance. Let us proclaim repentance. Let Confession lines be full. Let captives be set free. Let repentance be sincere, profound, and life-changing. “Be earnest about it, therefore. Repent!” (Rv 3:19)

Prayer: Father, give me the heart of Jesus for repentance.

Promise: "Keep the mandate of the Lord, your God, following His ways and observing His statutes." —1 Kgs 2:3

Praise: Through great trials and intense physical tortures, St. Agatha endured her martyrdom to the praise and glory of God.

(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(Join us Oct. 18-19 for a study of the Gospel of Mark. This is a great way to rekindle your love, knowledge and commitment to the Lord. Call 513-373-2397 or see www.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 February 1, 2026, through March 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio August 27, 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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