ENCOURAGING RENEWAL - One Bread, One Body, 06/11/2026

Thursday, June 11, 2026, St. Barnabas

Acts 11:21-26; 13:1-3
Psalm 98:1-6
Matthew 5:20-26

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ENCOURAGING RENEWAL
“He encouraged them all to remain firm in their commitment to the Lord.” —Acts 11:23

St. Barnabas was sent by the church of Jerusalem to the new converts in Antioch. He was so successful in serving this church that “it was in Antioch that the disciples were called Christians for the first time” (Acts 11:26). Antioch was also the first church to send out missionaries (Acts 13:3). It is one of the most important churches in the history of Christianity. Barnabas’ historic success in Antioch was primarily because of his gift of encouragement (see Acts 11:23). His name was even changed from Joseph to Barnabas, meaning “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36).

Although Barnabas was a prophet and teacher (see Acts 13:1), he used his gift of encouragement to build up the church at Antioch. “Thereby large numbers were added to the Lord” (Acts 11:24). After the church had been built up, he then spent an entire year teaching them (Acts 11:26).

Many of you want to bring renewal and evangelization to your parish, but you feel powerless because you are not the pastor, director of religious education, or school principal. However, you can make an invaluable contribution to renewing your parish, not only by leading or teaching, but by encouraging. If you will encourage the fainthearted to persevere (1 Thes 5:14) and the strong to step out in faith, you will be a catalyst for the renewal of your parish and even for world evangelization.

Prayer: Father, use me to renew a whole parish.

Promise: “Unless your holiness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees you shall not enter the kingdom of God.” —Mt 5:20

Praise: St. Barnabas “spoke out fearlessly” (Acts 13:46; 14:3) in spreading the Gospel on the first Christian mission. He acted “in complete reliance on the Lord” (Acts 14:3).

(For a related teaching on How to Renew Your Parish in 12 Years, view, download or order our leaflet or listen to, download or order AV 74-3 or V 74 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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FIRE-POWER - One Bread, One Body, 06/10/2026

Wednesday, June 10, 2026,

1 Kings 18:20-39
Psalm 16:1-2, 4-5, 8, 11
Matthew 5:17-19
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FIRE-POWER
“ ‘Answer me, Lord! Answer me, that this people may know that You, Lord, are God and that You have brought them back to their senses.’ The Lord’s fire came down.” —1 Kings 18:37-38

Elijah showed that Yahweh is the only true God and that Baal and Asherah were false gods served by false prophets. He did this by challenging the false prophets: “You shall call on your gods, and I will call on the Lord. The God Who answers with fire is God” (1 Kgs 18:24).

In the same way, we Christians should be able to show that Jesus is the “only Master and Lord” (Jude 4) and the only “name in the whole world given to men by which we are to be saved” (Acts 4:12). When we put our Christian marriages, relationships, jobs, and neighborhoods right next to those of non-Christians, it should be obvious to all that our lives have been touched by the fire of God.

Unfortunately, many Christians have fallen into sin and refuse to repent. Thus their condition is worse than that of unbelievers (2 Pt 2:20-21). These people bear the name of Christian but deny Christ by their lives. Thus they confuse the world about Christ’s claims to be the only Savior, Lord, and Way to the Father (Jn 14:6).

If we repent, the Christian life will stand out as the only one that has God’s fire. Then “at Jesus’ name every knee must bend...and every tongue proclaim to the glory of God the Father: JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!” (Phil 2:10-11)

Prayer: Father, may I not conceal but reveal Jesus’ divinity.

Promise: “Whoever breaks the least significant of these commands and teaches others to do so shall be called least in the kingdom of God.” —Mt 5:19

Praise: Deacon Ron prayed and Joan’s feet were healed.

(The Sacraments hold the secret to connecting with God. Join us for the retreat: Intimacy with God to discover the power of these gifts, June 29-July 1. 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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FROM FED TO FEED - One Bread, One Body, 06/09/2026

Tuesday, June 9, 2026, St. Ephrem of Syria

1 Kings 17:7-16
Psalm 4:2-5, 7-8
Matthew 5:13-16

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FROM FED TO FEED
“She was able to eat for a year, and he and her son as well; the jar of flour did not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, as the Lord had foretold through Elijah.” —1 Kings 17:15-16

The Lord gave Elijah bread and meat, but finally the brook from which he drank ran dry (1 Kgs 17:7). The Lord told Elijah to move on. He was not only to receive food, but to give it. This transition from receiving food to giving it is a major event in a Christian’s life. Before multiplying the loaves and fish, Jesus challenged the apostles to do this when He said: “Why do you not give them something to eat yourselves?” (Lk 9:13) After His Resurrection, Jesus again told His apostles not only to be fed, but also to feed the sheep (see Jn 21:15, 17).

Are you just reading the teachings in this book? Or are you sharing and teaching them? Maybe it’s time for you to make the transition from only receiving God’s Word to giving it. As in Elijah’s time, there are so many people starving to receive God’s Word. They won’t live long unless they receive faith. Faith comes through hearing, and hearing by God’s Word (Rm 10:17, RNAB). “And how can they believe unless they have heard of Him? And how can they hear unless there is someone to preach?” (Rm 10:14)

It’s better to give than to receive (see Acts 20:35). Give God’s Word to a spiritually starving world.

Prayer: Father, open my lips so that may I share anything You give me from Your Word. Make me a good steward (see Mt 25:14ff).

Promise: “Your light must shine before men so that they may see goodness in your acts and give praise to your heavenly Father.” —Mt 5:16

Praise: St. Ephrem proclaimed the lordship of Jesus by transforming secular songs of his day into hymns of praise and truth.



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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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BLESS US, O LORD? - One Bread, One Body, 06/08/2026

Monday, June 8, 2026,

1 Kings 17:1-6
Psalm 121:1-8
Matthew 5:1-12

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BLESS US, O LORD?
“He began to teach them.” —Matthew 5:2

In St. Matthew’s Gospel, today’s reading of the Beatitudes is the first time Jesus teaches His disciples. Jesus, the great Teacher, knows a strong first impression and solid introduction are critical. So Jesus’ initial teaching is something very important: how to be blessed.

The word “blessed” that Jesus speaks in the Beatitudes can also be translated “happy” (see Mt 5:3-11). In the Beatitudes, Jesus teaches a way to happiness and blessedness. Many books in today’s culture that promise happiness are big sellers. With such a large market for happiness, you’d think that Bibles would be flying off the shelves of bookstores, Bible study groups on the Beatitudes would be standing room only, and our parishes would have hundreds of new Catholics coming into the Church each year.

This isn’t the case. The logical explanation is that most people don’t believe Jesus when He tells us how to be blessed and happy. It’s as if people read the Beatitudes and think, “If being meek, sorrowing, and persecuted is how I have to live to be happy, then I’d rather not be ‘blessed.’ ”

In what do we put more faith: the voice of the secular culture or the message of Jesus? Look at Elijah in today’s first reading. He was persecuted by the government for his prophetic message and forced into hiding for years (see e.g. 1 Kgs 19:2). Yet he was blessed, for God miraculously fed him each day (1 Kgs 17:6).

Don’t live a half-life (1 Jn 3:14), settling “for what fails to satisfy” (Is 55:2). Have faith in Jesus (Jn 14:1). Live the Beatitudes.

Prayer: Jesus, may I never take Your place and try to manufacture my own blessings. Grace me to daily live the Beatitudes.

Promise: “My help is from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.” —Ps 121:2

Praise: Father Jim’s parish prioritized reaching out to unchurched people within their parish boundaries. Last year, fifty people converted to Catholicism and joined the parish.

(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 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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“EAT MY FLESH” (see Jn 6:56) - One Bread, One Body, 06/07/2026

Sunday, June 7, 2026, Body and Blood of Christ
(Corpus Christi)

Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16
1 Corinthians 10:16-17
Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20
John 6:51-58
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“EAT MY FLESH” (see Jn 6:56)
“How can He give us His flesh to eat?” —John 6:52

From a human viewpoint, the above question is understandably difficult to comprehend. “How can [Jesus] give us His flesh to eat?” (Jn 6:52) If we were to re-phrase this question as follows, it might be more comprehensible: “How can this God-Man give us His flesh to eat?”

The Eucharist makes no sense unless we know precisely Who Jesus is: fully God and fully man (see Catechism of the Catholic Church, 479-483). A man who is only human cannot give us his flesh to eat and remain alive. A god couldn’t give up his flesh to eat for he wouldn’t have any flesh (see Lk 24:39). A God-Man can, however, give His flesh for us to eat, and still remain alive. Jesus does not die; instead, we who eat His flesh will live (Jn 6:57).

The Catholic Church in the USA recently completed a three-year Eucharistic revival. This teaching was written during the early portion of the revival. You are now reading this teaching after the completion of this revival. Did the Eucharistic revival have the intended impact in your life? Well, that depends on if you gave your flesh for Jesus as He gave His flesh for you. Did you renounce your flesh? (see Lk 14:33) Did you deny your very self, take up your cross, and follow in His footsteps? (Lk 9:23) If not, tell Jesus: “Lord, this is my body to be given up for You.”

Prayer: Father, I open wide my mouth so You can fill it as You wish (Ps 81:11).

Promise: “The man who feeds on Me will have life because of Me.” —Jn 6:57

Praise: “Sweet Sacrament, we Thee adore. O, make us love Thee more and more. O, make us love Thee more and more.”

(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(Step out of the confusing world and into God’s reality with our retreat June 26-28: Living in Reality. Call 513-373-2397 or see www.presentationministries.com for more info.)

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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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THE PRECIOUS VOCATION OF WIDOWS - One Bread, One Body, 06/06/2026

Saturday, June 6, 2026, St. Norbert

2 Timothy 4:1-8
Psalm 71:8-9, 14-17, 22
Mark 12:38-44

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THE PRECIOUS VOCATION OF WIDOWS
“I want you to observe that this poor widow contributed more than all the others.” —Mark 12:43

A mark of “pure worship” and true religion is our concern for widows (Jas 1:27). This suggests that a widow has a very important part in God’s plan, if she “has set her hope on God and continues night and day in supplications and prayers” (1 Tm 5:5). Holy widows are so precious that, when necessary, the Church has paid for their expenses so that they can continue their ministry without being concerned about their livelihood (1 Tm 5:3ff). When widows give all that they have “to live on” (Mk 12:44), even if monetarily that is only worth a cent, they may be giving “more than all the others” (Mk 12:43).

Consequently, widows, make a decision to give your lives to the Lord and His Church. By His grace and your obedient love, make the last years of your life the very best. Guard against giving yourselves up “to selfish indulgence,” for this is “a life of living death” (1 Tm 5:6). Widows, God has good reasons for giving you a few years of life after your husbands’ deaths. Trust Jesus and let Him be Lord of your lives and therefore of your widowhood.

Prayer: Father, send the Holy Spirit to teach us the significance of all our vocations. Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us to live our vocations to the full.

Promise: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” —2 Tm 4:7

Praise: Narrowly escaping death in a storm, St. Norbert renounced his worldly lifestyle, gave his possessions to the poor, and became a priest.

(For a related teaching, listen to, download or order A Prophetic Life-Style on AV 75-3 or V 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 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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IN WANT? - One Bread, One Body, 06/05/2026

Friday, June 5, 2026, St. Boniface

2 Timothy 3:10-17
Psalm 119:157, 160-161, 165-166, 168
Mark 12:35-37

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IN WANT?
“All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” —2 Timothy 3:12, RSV-CE

Persecution is not the devil’s only attempt to stop godly living. Satan attacks early to try to stop godly “wanting.” For instance, the devil wants us to look at Mass as merely our Sunday obligation. Even if we go, he tries to make us not want to go, not want to pray, not want to give, not want to forgive, love, try, or care.

However, the Lord wants us to be consumed by zeal for His house (Jn 2:17). The Lord calls us to want to thirst for Him “as the hind longs for the running waters” (Ps 42:2). You may not yet be living a truly godly life; yet if you just want to do so, you “will be persecuted” (2 Tm 3:12, RSV-CE).  But do not fear Satan and his attempts to persecute you.  Rather, fear God, Who is leading you deeper into His heart (see Mt 10:28).

May our flesh pine and our souls thirst for the living God (Ps 63:2). May our hearts and “flesh cry out for the living God” (Ps 84:3). May we pray and say with Jesus: “I have come to light a fire on the earth. How I wish the blaze were ignited!” (Lk 12:49)

Don’t be intimidated (Mt 10:26) and manipulated by the threat of persecution. Want, thirst, and burn to live for God.

Prayer: Father, send the Holy Spirit to give me the sacrificial love that will move me to want to live totally for You.

Promise: “All Scripture is inspired of God and is useful for teaching — for reproof, correction, and training in holiness so that the man of God may be fully competent and equipped for every good work.” —2 Tm 3:16-17

Praise: St. Boniface spent much of his ministry reforming the church in Germany. He was martyred while preparing converts for Confirmation.

(For a related teaching on Be Holy, for I am Holy, 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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