LOVED AND GIFTED - One Bread, One Body, 09/16/2026

Wednesday, September 16, 2026, Pope St. Cornelius
St. Cyprian

1 Corinthians 12:31—13:13
Psalm 33:2-5, 12, 22
Luke 7:31-35

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LOVED AND GIFTED
“Set your hearts on the greater gifts. Now I will show you the way which surpasses all the others.” —1 Corinthians 12:31—13:1

Love and the gifts of the Spirit (charisms) go together. If we have charisms, such as tongues, prophecy, knowledge, faith, ministry, or martyrdom, but do not have love, we gain nothing (1 Cor 13:1-3). Gifts without love are dead (cf Jas 2:26).

However, this does not mean that we should forget about the gifts of the Spirit and concentrate on charitable love. Immediately after St. Paul proclaimed, “There are in the end three things that last: faith, hope, and love, and the greatest of these is love” (1 Cor 13:13), he taught on the proper use of tongues and prophecy. He thanked God that he spoke in tongues more than any Corinthian, and commanded us to set our hearts especially on the gift of prophecy (1 Cor 14:1). Therefore, Paul taught not only that gifts without love were dead, but that love without gifts leaves something to be desired. Love is one way of describing the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22). Fruit is the end product. Without the full workings of the Spirit, including the gifts of the Spirit, we will not have fully developed fruit.

Love is the atmosphere essential for the proper use of the spiritual gifts, while use of the gifts is a prerequisite for the full development of love. Seek the gifts of the Spirit in love and for love.

Prayer: Father, may I seek both the gifts and the fruit of the Spirit.

Promise: “God’s wisdom is vindicated by all who accept it.” —Lk 7:35

Praise: In his ten years as bishop, St. Cyprian faithfully endured two schisms, a persecution, a plague, exile, and finally martyrdom.

(To learn more about the gifts of the Spirit, view, download or order our booklet Seek the Gifts of the Spirit 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 One Bread, One Body covering the period August 1, 2026, through September 30, 2026, by Presentation Ministries. 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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“MORE THAN MARTYR” - One Bread, One Body, 09/15/2026

Tuesday, September 15, 2026, Our Lady of Sorrows

1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 27-31
or Luke 2:33-35
Psalm 100:1-5
John 19:25-27
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“MORE THAN MARTYR”
“Near the cross of Jesus there stood His mother.” —John 19:25

Martyrdom has traditionally been considered as the ultimate expression of love for the Lord. The word “martyr” means “witness,” and martyrdom is the preeminent witness of faith in Jesus. It is the most perfect way of imitating the crucified Christ.

St. Bernard called Mary “more than martyr.” This is an unusual expression because martyrs were so exalted in the Christian community that it would seem impossible to be “more than martyr.” Yet, St. Bernard said Mary’s sufferings at the foot of her Son’s cross were more severe than the most brutal physical tortures.

Even if Mary is “more than martyr,” what difference does it make? Maybe she did suffer more than any human being ever created, but is there a prize for suffering the most? Below are listed some fruits of Mary’s greater suffering:

1)      Mary’s greater redemptive suffering means she was a woman of greater obedience, for we learn obedience from what we suffer (Heb 5:8).

2)      Greater suffering for Jesus means a greater ministry of consolation and healing (see 2 Cor 1:5).

3)      Greater suffering with Jesus means a greater joy, for we rejoice in the measure in which we share Christ’s sufferings (1 Pt 4:13).

On this feast day of Mary, the Sorrowful Mother, let yourself be transformed by the ministry of Mary, “more than martyr.” Then choose martyrdom yourself.

Prayer: Father, make me feel as Mary felt. “Make my soul to glow and melt with the love of Christ, my Lord” (“Stabat Mater”).

Promise: “You yourself shall be pierced with a sword — so that the thoughts of many hearts may be laid bare.” —Lk 2:35

Praise: Mary, the Sorrowful Mother, gave birth to a Son Who consoled her by saying: “Blest too are the sorrowing; they shall be consoled” (Mt 5:4).



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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 One Bread, One Body covering the period August 1, 2026, through September 30, 2026, by Presentation Ministries. 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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CROSS-PURPOSES - One Bread, One Body, 09/14/2026

Monday, September 14, 2026, Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Numbers 21:4-9
Philippians 2:6-11
Psalm 78:1-2, 34-38
John 3:13-17
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CROSS-PURPOSES
“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Make a saraph and mount it on a pole, and if anyone who has been bitten looks at it, he will recover.’ ” —Numbers 21:8

As Jesus handled wood during His work as a carpenter, perhaps He reflected on the Scriptures which foreshadowed the wood of the cross.

The pole with a bronze serpent mounted on it prefigured the cross by which we were saved from death.

The tree of life in the garden of Eden prefigured the cross (Gn 2:9), which is sometimes called a tree (e.g. Acts 13:29).

Moses’ staff prefigured the cross in that it was used to redeem the chosen people as the Egyptian army was drowned in the Red Sea (Ex 14:16).

The firewood that Isaac carried on his shoulders up Mount Moriah prefigured the cross, for the wood was to be used to offer Isaac himself to God as a holocaust (Gn 22:2, 6).

Noah’s ark and the ark of the covenant were two different kinds of wooden containers which were both used to save God’s people (see Gn 6:14ff; see 1 Sm 7:2).

“Blest is the wood through which justice comes about” (Wis 14:7). All six of these wooden objects prefigured the cross. However, no one ever suspected that the cross, a wooden implement for executing the worst criminals, would be the wood used for our salvation.

Never cease to be shocked by the cross, horrified at the evil of sin, and awed by the love of God, crucified on a cross.

Prayer: Father, may I be near the cross with Mary (Jn 19:25).

Promise: “At Jesus’ name every knee must bend in the heavens, on the earth, and under the earth, and every tongue proclaim to the glory of God the Father: JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!” —Phil 2:10-11

Praise: “We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You, because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.”



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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 One Bread, One Body covering the period August 1, 2026, through September 30, 2026, by Presentation Ministries. 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 STREAM OF MERCY - One Bread, One Body, 09/13/2026

Sunday, September 13, 2026, 24th Sunday Ordinary Time

Sirach 27:30—28:7
Romans 14:7-9
Psalm 103:1-4, 9-12
Matthew 18:21-35
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THE STREAM OF MERCY
“Moved with pity, the master let the official go and wrote off the debt.” —Matthew 18:27

All of us reading this should have been condemned to hell forever because of our sins. King David committed one sin and 70,000 people were killed (2 Sm 24:15). That’s how high the wages of sin are and why everlasting hell is just punishment for our sins.

Because of His love for us, the Lord has been rich in mercy (Eph 2:4). Although we have amassed monumental debts of punishment due to our sins, Jesus’ death on Calvary has atoned for them all. He has forgiven us, washed away our sins in His Blood, paid the price for our sins, taken our punishment on Himself, saved us, and redeemed us (see 1 Jn 1:7).

We owe a fantastic debt of gratitude to Jesus. We can never pay this debt, but should try. We should live no longer for ourselves, but for Him (2 Cor 5:15). We must tell everyone about His love and mercy, and praise Him always. Especially, we should extend forgiveness and mercy to those who have hurt us.

After what Jesus has done for us, He expects us to do this. If we who have been forgiven do not forgive others (Mt 18:35; cf Mt 6:14-15), the Lord will ask us: “Should you not have dealt mercifully with your fellow servant, as I dealt with you?” (Mt 18:33) “Should a man refuse mercy to his fellows, yet seek pardon for his own sins?” (Sir 28:4)

Prayer: Lord, have mercy on me and through me.

Promise: “While we live we are responsible to the Lord, and when we die we die as His servants.” —Rm 14:8

Praise: Praise the risen Jesus, Whose mercies are inexhaustible. Merciful Lord, Savior, and Judge, be exalted forever. 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 One Bread, One Body covering the period August 1, 2026, through September 30, 2026, by Presentation Ministries. 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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DEMONIC WORSHIP - One Bread, One Body, 09/12/2026

Saturday, September 12, 2026, Most Holy Name of Mary

1 Corinthians 10:14-22
Psalm 116:12-13, 17-18
Luke 6:43-49
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DEMONIC WORSHIP
“I am telling you, whom I love, to shun the worship of idols.” —1 Corinthians 10:14

When we receive Communion and partake of the one loaf, “we, many though we are, are one body” (1 Cor 10:17). We share in the body and blood of Christ (1 Cor 10:16). However, when we immerse ourselves in worldly activities, we may be involved in the worship of idols and commune with the world. We may unknowingly have “become sharers with demons” (1 Cor 10:20).

Sacrificial worship is simply abandoning ourselves to something or to someone. Today’s idol worship is often done at parties, concerts, sporting events, bars, motels, or malls. When we party with abandon, idolize an entertainer or athlete, have sinful sexual relations (see Eph 5:5), or invest an inappropriate amount of time and/or money into something, we may be worshipping idols, having communion with them, and unknowingly becoming sharers with demons.

“You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and also the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and likewise the table of demons. Do we mean to provoke the Lord to jealous anger? Surely we are not stronger than He!” (1 Cor 10:21-22) “Worship God alone!” (Rv 22:9)

Prayer: Father, deliver me from any unknowing involvement in the occult.

Promise: “A good man produces goodness from the good in his heart.” —Lk 6:45

Praise: Mary, the Immaculate Virgin, pondered the mysteries of God’s love in her heart and had words of praise and joy on her lips.

(For a related teaching on Do You Renounce Satan?, view, download or order our leaflet or listen to, download or order our AV 44-1 or V 44 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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PLANK-EYED - One Bread, One Body, 09/11/2026

Friday, September 11, 2026,

1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-27
Psalm 84:3-6, 12
Luke 6:39-42

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PLANK-EYED
“How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck from your eye,’ yet fail yourself to see the plank lodged in your own?” —Luke 6:42

Jesus says we might have a plank lodged in our eye. If so, He’s doing us a big favor to tip us off. We need to remove this plank or we’ll blindly fall into the ditches of apathy, sin, hatred, unforgiveness, compulsive behavior, broken relationships, missed opportunities, a selfish lifestyle, or other such pitfalls (Lk 6:39).

If we aren’t sure what our plank is, we must ask the Lord to identify it for us. He’s surely been trying to tell us how blind we are (see Rv 3:17). If He doesn’t tell us directly, it’s probably because He’s already been speaking to us through our spouses, children, siblings, parents, co-workers, or brothers and sisters in Christ. No doubt they see our plank clearly, and have been trying to tell us about it.

Even if the Lord breaks through our shortsightedness and gets us to see our plank, we might still choose to hold onto it. Because our hearts are hard and twisted (Jer 17:9), we might prefer our familiar plank to a painful removal and a humbling recovery. We might say, “I find the old [way] better” (see Lk 5:39), and prefer the darkness of our plank-eye to the bright light of freedom in Jesus (see Jn 3:19-20).

Jesus is the Carpenter (Mk 6:3), and He knows how to handle planks. Bring your planks, specks, eyes, and life to Jesus. “Fix your eyes on Jesus” (Heb 3:1, NAB) and let Him fix your eyes.

Prayer: “Lord, take the blindness from my eyes, all my arrogance and pride, fill my vision with Your light.” “Lord...I want to see” (Lk 18:41).

Promise: “The Lord withholds no good thing from those who walk in sincerity.” —Ps 84:12

Praise: When tempted to criticize others, Tom applies that very criticism to his own behavior and finds himself humbled.

(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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BEER - One Bread, One Body, 09/10/2026

Thursday, September 10, 2026,

1 Corinthians 8:1-7, 11-13
Psalm 139:1-3, 13-14, 23-24
Luke 6:27-38

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BEER
“If food causes my brother to sin I will never eat meat again, so that I may not be an occasion of sin to him.” —1 Corinthians 8:13

Would you give up something, even if it had nothing wrong with it except that it was an occasion of sin to others? Should parishes stop serving beer at festivals because for some it is obviously an occasion of sin? Should parishes stop gambling to raise money because compulsive gambling has been shown statistically to be a problem for a percentage of our population?

Many of us may rebel at the prospect of losing our beer, money, or entertainment. But what are our priorities? Our concern must be others’ consciences and their salvation (1 Cor 8:11). “When you sin thus against your brothers and wound their weak consciences, you are sinning against Christ” (1 Cor 8:12).

“You may ask, why should my liberty be restricted by another man’s conscience?” (1 Cor 10:29) “The fact is that whether you eat or drink — whatever you do — you should do all for the glory of God” (1 Cor 10:31).

Seek first God’s kingdom (Mt 6:33). Make the salvation of as many as possible (1 Cor 9:19) your priority. Say with St. Paul: “I try to please all in any way I can by seeking, not my own advantage, but that of the many, that they may be saved” (1 Cor 10:33).

Prayer: Father, may I never have anything to do with anything that leads someone astray.

Promise: “Pardon, and you shall be pardoned. Give, and it shall be given to you. Good measure pressed down, shaken together, running over, will they pour into the fold of your garment.” —Lk 6:37-38

Praise: Ellen takes seriously her Presentation Ministries co-worker commitments, reading and praying the Scriptures every day.

(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 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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