THE KEY TO THE TREASURE CHEST - One Bread, One Body, 06/18/2026

Thursday, June 18, 2026,

Sirach 48:1-14
Psalm 97:1-7
Matthew 6:7-15

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THE KEY TO THE TREASURE CHEST
“Forgive us the wrong we have done as we forgive those who wrong us.” —Matthew 6:12

When Jesus taught us the “Our Father,” He was trying to teach us to pray (Mt 6:9), to trust in our Abba (see Rm 8:15), and to seek first His kingdom (Mt 6:33). Jesus was not as “successful” as He planned in using the Our Father to teach us, for most of us don’t pray very frequently or fervently. Moreover, many Christians are anxious, fearful, and jealous, as if they couldn’t trust their Abba (see Mt 6:31-32). Also, we see more people seeking the things of the world’s kingdom than seeking first God’s kingdom. For many Christians, the Our Father is a locked treasure chest. We carry it around, display, touch and shake it, but don’t open it and receive its treasures.

Jesus put the key to the Our Father right next to it in the Bible. The five verses of the prayer are followed by a two verse explanation of the command in the Our Father to forgive (Mt 6:14-15). When we forgive, we can learn to pray (see Mk 11:25). When we forgive, we remove an obstacle to receiving our Abba’s love. Seeking first God’s kingdom is also a matter of forgiveness (Mt 18:23ff). Forgiveness is the key to the Our Father. Turn the key.

Prayer: “Father, forgive” (Lk 23:34).

Promise: “You are destined, it is written, in time to come to put an end to wrath before the day of the Lord, to turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons, and to reestablish the tribes of Jacob.” —Sir 48:10

Praise: Jesus freed Kurt of his addiction to drugs. Now he is professed in a religious order as Brother Kurt.

Jesus freed Kurt of his addiction to drugs. Now he is professed in a religious order as Brother Kurt.

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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 June 1, 2026, through July 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio November 12, 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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“I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU” (2 Kgs 2:2, 4, 6) - One Bread, One Body, 06/17/2026

Wednesday, June 17, 2026,

2 Kings 2:1, 6-14
Psalm 31:20-21, 24
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

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“I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU” (2 Kgs 2:2, 4, 6)
“ ‘As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live,’ Elisha replied, ‘I will not leave you.’ And so the two went on together.” —2 Kings 2:6

We will do greater things than Jesus has done (Jn 14:12) when we receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). Elijah’s disciple, Elisha, received a double portion of Elijah’s spirit by refusing to leave him. Likewise, we as Christ’s disciples receive an unrationed outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Jn 3:34) by refusing to leave Jesus.

We are repeatedly tempted to leave Jesus by committing sins; by being selfish, lazy, or fearful; and by doing our own thing. If we leave Jesus, we lose our life in the Spirit. However, there is hope for those who have left Jesus and are trapped in the powerlessness of selfishness. If we return to Him in repentance, He will forgive us and take us back. Then we will be with Him and be living in the full power of the Holy Spirit.

Don’t leave Jesus — even for a moment. You may never find your way back to Him. Cling to Jesus (see Jn 15:5). Fix your eyes on Jesus (Heb 12:2). He loves you.

Prayer: Father, may I never leave You.

Promise: “When you fast, see to it that you groom your hair and wash your face. In that way no one can see you are fasting but your Father Who is hidden; and your Father Who sees what is hidden will repay you.” —Mt 6:17-18

Praise: Matt and Maria reconciled after a six-year separation.

(For a related teaching on Don’t Stifle the Spirit, listen to, download or order AV 56-3 or V 56 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 June 1, 2026, through July 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio November 12, 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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FAST, FASTER, FASTEST - One Bread, One Body, 06/16/2026

Tuesday, June 16, 2026,

1 Kings 21:17-29
Psalm 51:3-6, 11, 16
Matthew 5:43-48

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FAST, FASTER, FASTEST
“He fasted, slept in the sackcloth, and went about subdued. Then the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, ‘Have you seen that Ahab has humbled himself before Me?’ ” —1 Kings 21:27-29

Yesterday we read that Jezebel proclaimed a fast and used this as part of a scheme to unjustly execute Naboth (1 Kgs 21:9ff). Today we read that King Ahab, Jezebel’s husband, fasted and asked the Lord for mercy. The Lord accepted Ahab’s fasting and delayed the punishment for Ahab’s family till the next generation (1 Kgs 21:29). Tomorrow we will read that our heavenly Father will repay us for fasting with the right intention (Mt 6:18).

The Lord in His Word for these daily Masses is obviously calling us to fast, that is, to limit our intake of food in order to build His kingdom. Pope St. John Paul II taught: “Jesus Himself has shown us by His own example that prayer and fasting are the first and most effective weapons against the forces of evil (cf Mt 4:1-11). As He taught His disciples, some demons cannot be driven out except in this way (cf Mk 9:29). Let us therefore discover anew the humility and the courage to pray and fast so that power from on high will break down the walls of lies and deceit” (The Gospel of Life, 100). We are greatly privileged to have been chosen by God to fast.

To begin regular fasting, eat only one full meal on Fridays. The Lord will probably extend and change this first step in fasting. Let Him lead you to the full glory and power of fasting.

Prayer: Father, thank You for choosing me to fast. May I be faithful.

Promise: “My command to you is: love your enemies, pray for your persecutors. This will prove that you are sons of your heavenly Father, for His sun rises on the bad and the good, He rains on the just and the unjust.” —Mt 5:44-45

Praise: Beverly has fasted on Fridays for five years.

(For a related teaching on The Secret of Fasting, 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 June 1, 2026, through July 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio November 12, 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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JEZEBELS - One Bread, One Body, 06/15/2026

Monday, June 15, 2026,

1 Kings 21:1-16
Psalm 5:2-7
Matthew 5:38-42
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JEZEBELS
“They sent the information to Jezebel that Naboth had been stoned to death.” —1 Kings 21:14

Jezebel was about as mean a person as you can find. She put out a contract on Naboth and had him killed to use his vineyard as a vegetable garden for her husband, Ahab. As the king of Israel, Ahab could have had a hundred vegetable gardens, but he wanted the spot Naboth owned because it was convenient. So, Jezebel had Naboth murdered for mere convenience.

When we see people like Jezebel, our first reaction is to wonder how a person could be so mean. We presume we are not like that, yet the reality is we all have a Jezebel inside us. But for God’s grace, we’d do the same or worse than Jezebel. We should first react to a Jezebel by getting the plank of sin out of our own eyes (Mt 7:5).

Often, our next reaction to the Jezebels in our world is what we call “defense.” We reason that if some people are going to be so vicious, we must protect and defend ourselves. However, Elijah’s reaction to Jezebel was not defense, but prophecy (see 1 Kgs 21:17ff) and discipleship. He finally defeated Jezebel and Ahab by making Elisha his disciple and by anointing Hazael and Jehu through Elisha and his disciples (1 Kgs 19:15-17).

In summary, when we see mean and vicious people, our reaction should be repentance, prophecy, and discipleship.

Prayer: Father, give me supernatural reactions and not just natural ones (see 1 Sm 16:7).

Promise: “What I say to you is: offer no resistance to injury. When a person strikes you on the right cheek, turn and offer him the other.” —Mt 5:39

Praise: Through daily reception of the Holy Eucharist, Becca began to see her behavior become more holy.

(For a related teaching on Renewing Our Culture, listen to, download or order AV 80-3 or V 80 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 June 1, 2026, through July 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio November 12, 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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PRODUCING THE FRUIT OF LOVE - One Bread, One Body, 06/14/2026

Sunday, June 14, 2026, 11th Sunday Ordinary Time

Exodus 19:2-6
Romans 5:6-11
Psalm 100:1-3, 5
Matthew 9:36—10:8
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PRODUCING THE FRUIT OF LOVE
“God proves His love for us.” —Romans 5:8

In this time after Pentecost, the Holy Spirit is trying to produce in us His fruit of love (Gal 5:22), for without love even the greatest gifts of the Spirit amount to nothing (1 Cor 13:1-3). We “love because He first loved us” (1 Jn 4:19). Therefore, the first step in producing the fruit of love in our hearts is to let the Spirit pour out His love in our hearts (Rm 5:5) and to help us know and believe in this love (1 Jn 4:16). Then, as God’s beloved, we will love God, ourselves, our neighbors, and even our enemies.

To produce the fruit of love, the Holy Spirit helps us realize the love God has for us by focusing our attention on Jesus’ crucified love. “It is precisely in this that God proves His love for us” (Rm 5:8). “Is it possible that He Who did not spare His own Son but handed Him over for the sake of us all will not grant us all things besides?” (Rm 8:32) Jesus’ death on the cross for love of us is the definitive proof of God’s perfect, unconditional, infinite, and everlasting love for us.

“Beloved, if God has loved us so, we must have the same love for one another” (1 Jn 4:11). “Beloved, let us love one another because love is of God” (1 Jn 4:7). Come, Holy Spirit, to produce the fruit of love.

Prayer: Father, make me “grasp fully, with all the holy ones, the breadth and length and height and depth of Christ’s love, and experience this love which surpasses all knowledge” (Eph 3:18-19).

Promise: “The harvest is good but laborers are scarce. Beg the Harvest Master to send out laborers to gather His harvest.” —Mt 9:37-38

Praise: Praise Jesus, crucified and risen Lord of life and love! Alleluia! (see 1 Thes 4:14)

(Do you hear God calling you to teach His word to others? Attend: How to Teach the Bible in the Power of the Holy Spirit retreat July 6-9, and get equipped to do so. 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 from June 1, 2026, through July 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio November 12, 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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“MAKE DISCIPLES” (Mt 28:19) - One Bread, One Body, 06/13/2026

Saturday, June 13, 2026, Immaculate Heart of Mary

1 Kings 19:19-21
Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-10
Luke 2:41-51

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“MAKE DISCIPLES” (Mt 28:19)
“Then he left and followed Elijah as his attendant.”—1 Kings 19:21

Elijah lived a very eventful life. He called down fire from heaven three times, worked miracles, raised the dead, and rocked the government (see Sir 48:1ff). Nevertheless, the most important event of Elijah’s life may have been the calling of Elisha as his disciple (1 Kgs 19:19ff). The ramifications of this call to discipleship brought down the evil government of Ahab and Jezebel.

You also have many important events in your life. Yet none may be so important as making your children disciples of Jesus. God may have put you in a certain job for many years primarily to make a disciple of one fellow worker. The Lord may have placed you in a particular neighborhood to make disciples for Christ of one or more neighbors. Jesus’ command that we both be and make disciples explains some of the surprises, joys, and sorrows of our lives. Shortly before Jesus’ Ascension into heaven, the climactic moment of His life on earth, Jesus commanded us to make disciples of all nations (Mt 28:19).

Discipleship was obviously the focus of Jesus’ earthly life. Therefore, discipleship is also the goal of our lives.

Prayer: Jesus, by Your grace I will be Your disciple. Mother Mary, give me the love in your Immaculate Heart so I will make disciples who disciple others.

Promise: “I set the Lord ever before me; with Him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.” —Ps 16:8

Praise: David prayed fervently to the Immaculate Heart of Mary for strength to overcome sexual temptations. He soon found himself deeply in love with the Lord and filled with the sense of being clean and holy.

(On this Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, consider listening to, downloading or ordering our AV 19-1 or V 19, Immaculate Heart of Mary, 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 June 1, 2026, through July 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio November 12, 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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HIS HEART IS EXPOSED FOR YOU - One Bread, One Body, 06/12/2026

Friday, June 12, 2026, Sacred Heart of Jesus

Deuteronomy 7:6-11
1 John 4:7-16
Psalm 103:1-4, 8, 10
Matthew 11:25-30
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HIS HEART IS EXPOSED FOR YOU
“The Lord set His heart on you and chose you.”—Deuteronomy 7:7

It is not because we are excellent or worthy that God loves us, but because we are weak (see Dt 7:7-8). “God is love” (1 Jn 4:8, 16). He actually loves us. He wants us as His friends (Jn 15:14-15).

There is an expression: “He wears his heart on his sleeve.” This means the person’s emotions are easily visible to all. As the image of the Sacred Heart displays so graphically, Jesus wears His heart on His chest. His “emotions” are, as it were, easily visible to all. He loves us with “age-old love” (Jer 31:3), intimately and deeply, with “bands of love…like one who raises an infant to his cheeks” (Hos 11:4).

The Lord hides nothing from us. He died naked and exposed for all to see on the cross. His Sacred Heart is exposed to all. Moreover, He has revealed Himself to us in intimate detail through His Word. Look how intimate and exposed Jesus is in the Eucharist. He is so humble as to come to us through an offering of bread.

In response to His love and vulnerability, love Jesus wholeheartedly. In His Sacred Heart, He has exposed Himself completely for you. He has “set His heart on you” (Dt 7:7). He thirsts for your love (see Jn 19:28). Give Him your love in return.

Prayer: Sacred Heart of Jesus, make my heart like Yours. Take my heart and never give it back. Give me Your heart and never take it back.

Promise: “Come to Me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you...I am gentle and humble of heart.” —Mt 11:28, 29

Praise: All praise, honor, thanksgiving, and glory be to the Sacred Heart of Jesus!

(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(An always popular retreat: Discover Your Spiritual Gifts, July 3-5. Find out yours so you can build up the Body of Christ. 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 from June 1, 2026, through July 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio November 12, 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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