THE HIGHEST STANDARDS FOR UNITY - One Bread, One Body, 09/06/2026

Sunday, September 6, 2026, 23rd Sunday Ordinary Time

Ezekiel 33:7-9
Romans 13:8-10
Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9
Matthew 18:15-20
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THE HIGHEST STANDARDS FOR UNITY
“If your brother should commit some wrong against you, go and point out his fault.” —Matthew 18:15

Jesus prays that His Church would be one as He and His Father are one (Jn 17:21). Jesus has exceptionally high standards for unity in His Church so that the world would believe that the Father sent Jesus (Jn 17:21). This may come as a surprise to us, for our experience in our local churches may be that of denominational and factional disunity. Yet Jesus never changes His standards. He insists on His Church reflecting the unity of the Trinity.

To prevent disunity, dispel disunity, and build unity, the Holy Spirit works in the following ways. He gives us:

• the Sacrament of Reconciliation,
• the responsibility and wisdom to correct our brothers and sisters in Christ (see Ez 33:8; Mt 18:15),
• the charity and discipline to keep our differences with another brother or sister between the two of us (see Mt 18:15),
• the deeper presence of Jesus and the power of prayer when Christians gather in unity in Jesus’ name (see Mt 18:19-20),
• submission to the authority of the leaders of our church (see Mt 18:17), and
• redemptive suffering (see Jn 11:51-52).

The Holy Spirit enables us never to have to settle for less than the best unity in the Church. However, we must be docile to the Holy Spirit and follow His ways of reconciliation and unity exactly and sacrificially. Come, Holy Spirit of unity! (see 1 Cor 12:13; Eph 4:3) Come and give us a new Pentecost of unity!

Prayer: Father, help Your Church to always reflect the unity of the Trinity.

Promise: “Owe no debt to anyone except the debt that binds us to love one another. He who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.” —Rm 13:8

Praise: Praise Jesus, Who constantly taught us to forgive, even when hanging from His cross. Praise You, Lord of mercy and forgiveness!



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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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DYING TO BE PRO-LIFE - One Bread, One Body, 09/05/2026

Saturday, September 5, 2026, St. Teresa of Calcutta

1 Corinthians 4:6-15
Psalm 145:17-21
Luke 6:1-5

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DYING TO BE PRO-LIFE
“It was I who begot you in Christ Jesus through my preaching of the gospel.” —1 Corinthians 4:15

St. Paul was the spiritual father of the Corinthian Christians. He begot them through the preaching of the Gospel (1 Cor 4:15). He was also the spiritual father of Onesimus (Phlm 10) and St. Timothy (1 Tm 1:2; 2 Tm 1:2). St. Peter was the spiritual father of St. Mark (1 Pt 5:13), and the Blessed Virgin Mary was chosen by Jesus on Calvary to be the spiritual mother of the beloved disciple and all “her offspring, on those who keep God’s commandments and give witness to Jesus” (Jn 19:26; Rv 12:17). We all are called to spiritually beget many children by sharing the Gospel.

Are you willing to be fertile and multiply spiritually? (see Gn 1:28) To conceive, birth, and disciple your spiritual children, you must suffer. You must become like a person “doomed to die in the arena” (1 Cor 4:9). To give life spiritually, you must die to self. This means becoming a fool on Christ’s account — weak, sneered at, “hungry and thirsty, poorly clad, roughly treated, wandering about homeless” (1 Cor 4:10-11). The labor you must endure to give spiritual birth often is working hard at manual labor, suffering persecution, and being slandered (1 Cor 4:12-13).

To give life we must love, and that means laying down our lives for one another (1 Jn 3:16). Therefore, we are tempted to be spiritually contraceptive and abortifacient. We are tempted to choose death rather than life (see Dt 30:19-20). However, we must reject the “culture of death” and choose life to the full (Jn 10:10) by choosing to love, even to death.

Prayer: Father, may I beget all the spiritual and biological children You are calling me to have.

Promise: “The Son of Man is Lord even of the sabbath.” —Lk 6:5

Praise: Mother Teresa explained to a priest her outlook on ministry to the poor by touching the five fingers of his hand and saying, “You did it to Me” (see Mt. 25:40).



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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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LEAVE IT TO THE LORD - One Bread, One Body, 09/04/2026

Friday, September 4, 2026,

1 Corinthians 4:1-5
Psalm 37:3-6, 27-28, 39-40
Luke 5:33-39

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LEAVE IT TO THE LORD
“He will make justice dawn for you like the light; bright as the noonday shall be your vindication.” —Psalm 37:6

Jesus’ disciples were accused of being soft on prayer and fasting (Lk 5:33). The Pharisees made a judgment based only on what they could outwardly observe, and misunderstood the underlying context for the disciples’ actions.

St. Paul had been subject to being judged and scrutinized by both the Corinthian people and by their civil courts (see 1 Cor 4:3, 5). He served the Corinthians and the Lord from pure motives but was constantly misunderstood and was frequently subjected to accusations of all kinds.

Have you ever been misunderstood in your Christian walk? Have you ever served someone out of love and then had that person or group completely misinterpret your motives? Perhaps they shunned you or even accused you of wrongdoing (see Jn 16:2-3).

As followers of Jesus, we need not expend the energy to defend ourselves beyond a simple explanation (see Mt 5:37). Rather, God’s plan is that we focus on serving Him (see 1 Cor 4:1) and leave it to Him to take care of defending and vindicating us (Is 54:17; Ps 37:6). His vindication is far-reaching and complete, “bright as the noonday” (Ps 37:6). So, “commit to the Lord your way; trust in Him, and He will act” (Ps 37:5) in your defense.

Prayer: Father, I put my life in Your hands (Ps 31:6).

Promise: “The salvation of the just is from the Lord; He is their Refuge in time of distress.” —Ps 37:39

Praise: Although Anne must carry an oxygen tank with her for the rest of her life, she never lets that stop her from carrying out her ministries to the Church and to God’s people.

(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(Study the Gospel of Matthew with us Oct. 16-17. The Lord will touch your heart when you draw close to Him. 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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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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Copyright © Presentation Ministries

To add your e-mail address to this list go to https://www.presentationministries.com/subscribe/email

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