FROM RUNNING AWAY TO RUNNING OVER (Ps 23:5) - One Bread, One Body, 04/25/2026

Saturday, April 25, 2026, St. Mark

1 Peter 5:5-14
Psalm 89:2-3, 6-7, 16-17
Mark 16:15-20

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FROM RUNNING AWAY TO RUNNING OVER (Ps 23:5)
“Mark my son…” —1 Peter 5:13

St. Mark has been traditionally identified with the scared young disciple in the garden of Gethsemane who ran off naked when the guards tried to arrest him: “With that, all deserted [Jesus] and fled. There was a young man following Him who was covered by nothing but a linen cloth. As they seized him he left the cloth behind and ran off naked” (Mk 14:50-52). Additionally, St. Mark has been identified with John Mark, who ran off from the first missionary journey and returned to Jerusalem (Acts 12:25; 13:13). St. Paul even considered Mark “not fit” for another missionary journey since “he had deserted them” during the first missionary journey (Acts 15:37-39). Can you imagine bearing such a tainted reputation that a leader would consider you unfit for ministry?

Mark also may not have had much fathering, possibly indicated by only his mother being mentioned in the Bible (Acts 12:12). However, St. Barnabas, Mark’s cousin (Col 4:10), provided “fathering” for Mark. Barnabas stood up for Mark so strongly that he and Paul separated (Acts 15:38-39). Barnabas took Mark on a separate missionary journey (Acts 15:39). Mark also was fathered by St. Peter, who called Mark “my son” (1 Pt 5:13). Eventually, Mark proved his worth even to St. Paul, who said that the matured Mark “can be of great service to me” (2 Tm 4:11).

Do you have a past filled with fearfully running away from problems? Did you lack godly fathering? Be encouraged by the life of St. Mark. He rose above his problems, trusted in God, and became a mighty evangelist.

Prayer: Father, “when I begin to fear, in You will I trust” (Ps 56:4).

Promise: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the good news to all creation.” —Mk 16:15

Praise: Tradition holds that St. Mark was martyred for his faith by being dragged through the streets. St. Mark, pray for us.

(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 April 1, 2026, through May 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio October 22, 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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BE A “STREET PERSON” - One Bread, One Body, 04/24/2026

Friday, April 24, 2026, St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen

Acts 9:1-20
Psalm 117:1-2
John 6:52-59

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BE A “STREET PERSON”
“As he traveled along and was approaching Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed about him.” —Acts 9:3

Saul was converted on the road to Damascus. The first Christian Pentecost began in the upper room and expanded to the streets. The Ethiopian eunuch, the first person to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth, was converted on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza (Acts 8:26ff).

The early Church was following in the footsteps of Jesus, Whose public ministry was often conducted in the streets. In fact, after His Resurrection from the dead, Jesus made a statement by spending the afternoon teaching two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Lk 24:13ff).

Are you in touch with your Christian roots? Is your parish a center for street ministry? When Christians are “off the streets,” the devil is more than ever “on the streets.” The Lord is giving us the power to take back the streets for Him after we emerge from our cocoon of extreme individualism, isolation, and selfishness. In our secular humanistic society, many people live in a high-tech world of virtual reality. Many have given up a life of love for a lifestyle of entertainment and distraction (see Lk 9:62). Get real. Get on the streets. Walk with people. Talk with people. Share Jesus with others. By God’s grace, help convert the most hardened hearts to Jesus. Be a “street person” for Jesus.

Prayer: Father, send the Holy Spirit to make me Christ-centered and freed from harmful cultural conditioning.

Promise: “My flesh is real food and My blood real drink. The man who feeds on My flesh and drinks My blood remains in Me, and I in him.” —Jn 6:55-56

Praise: St. Fidelis ministered to widows, orphans, prisoners, the sick, and even those in the plague-stricken Austrian army.

(For a related teaching on Mission Impossible, 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 April 1, 2026, through May 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio October 22, 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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WHAT GOD WANTS - One Bread, One Body, 04/23/2026

Thursday, April 23, 2026, St. George
St. Adalbert

Acts 8:26-40
Psalm 66:8-9, 16-17, 20
John 6:44-51

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WHAT GOD WANTS
“The Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away...Philip found himself at Azotus next, and he went about announcing the good news in all the towns.” —Acts 8:39, 40

Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would give His apostles the power to be His witnesses “even to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). It was difficult to imagine how this promise would be fulfilled. Jesus began fulfilling it by:

• sending an angel to tell Philip to “head south toward” a certain road (Acts 8:26),
• synchronizing the travel of a prestigious Ethiopian so that Philip saw his carriage (Acts 8:27-28),
• sending the Spirit to tell Philip to catch up with the Ethiopian’s carriage (Acts 8:29),
• prompting the Ethiopian to read from the prophet Isaiah without understanding what he read (Acts 8:30ff),
• having the Ethiopian invite Philip to sit in his carriage (Acts 8:31),
• giving Philip the understanding of this passage from Isaiah and the grace to communicate it (Acts 8:35),
• planning the Ethiopian’s journey to approach water at this point (Acts 8:37), despite being in a desert (Acts 8:26),
• converting and baptizing the Ethiopian (Acts 8:38), and
• giving the Ethiopian joy in his salvation (Acts 8:39).

The Lord will go to great extents to convert each person He has created. He even became a man and died on the cross to save us. Be in God’s will. Do everything you can to lead as many people as possible to Christ (see 1 Cor 9:19).

Prayer: Father, may I want people to give their lives to You as much as I want to breathe.

Promise: “If anyone eats this bread he shall live forever; the bread I will give is My flesh, for the life of the world.” —Jn 6:51

Praise: St. George gave his life as a martyr to witness to his faith in Jesus.



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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 April 1, 2026, through May 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio October 22, 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 DAY OF SALVATION” (2 Cor 6:2) - One Bread, One Body, 04/22/2026

Wednesday, April 22, 2026,

Acts 8:1-8
Psalm 66:1-7
John 6:35-40

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“THE DAY OF SALVATION” (2 Cor 6:2)
“That day saw the beginning of a great persecution of the church.” —Acts 8:1

This morning you went to the funeral of a brother in Christ, a leader in your church (Acts 8:2). His name was Stephen, and he was martyred by a hysterical mob. In your grief, you find yourself on the road — a fugitive running from St. Stephen’s murderers. Those remaining in town are being terrorized by a man named Saul, who “entered house after house, dragged men and women out, and threw them into jail” (Acts 8:3). This is a sad day — a day of violence, trauma, fear, imprisonment, separation, grief, and murder.

As you walk along, wondering if you’ll be caught, you meet other travelers and residents of small country towns. Your love for Jesus wells up; the Spirit “puts words in your mouth” (see Mt 10:20); you speak from the abundance of your heart (Lk 6:45). After living through so much bad news, you still share the Good News of Jesus. People with their own bad news accept God’s gift of faith and believe in Jesus. On some occasions, signs and wonders accompany your profession of faith (Mk 16:17-18). Several people are healed and set free from the evil one. “The rejoicing in that town rose to fever pitch” (Acts 8:8).

Prayer: Father, when I experience bad news, speak the Good News through me.

Promise: “I Myself am the Bread of Life. No one who comes to Me shall ever be hungry, no one who believes in Me shall ever thirst.” —Jn 6:35

Praise: The Winters, both physicians, moved into the poorest section of town to open a medical clinic, raise their family, and bring Jesus into the lives of the poor.

(As baptized and confirmed Christians, we have the grace to live a counter-cultural lifestyle. Join us for the retreat, Lifestyle in the Spirit, May 22-24, for teachings on life’s challenges in our world today. 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 April 1, 2026, through May 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio October 22, 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 GREATEST PRAYER - One Bread, One Body, 04/21/2026

Tuesday, April 21, 2026, St. Anselm

Acts 7:51—8:1
Psalm 31:3-4, 6-8, 17, 21
John 6:30-35

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THE GREATEST PRAYER
“As Stephen was being stoned he could be heard praying, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ ” —Acts 7:59

King David prayed to the Lord: “Into Your hands I commend my spirit” (Ps 31:6). In this prayer, David put his trust in the Lord (Ps 31:7).

Jesus prayed this same prayer on the cross right before He died. This was a prayer of supreme trust even to death. Jesus prayed not only to God; He specifically addressed God, the Father (Lk 23:46).

St. Stephen prayed Psalm 31:6 and Luke 23:46 right before he was martyred for love of Jesus. He addressed this prayer not to the Father, but to Jesus, Lord, that is, God. Stephen prayed this prayer audibly even while being stoned by a crowd of murderers (Acts 7:59). This was not the last prayer Stephen prayed. After he gave his life to Jesus, Stephen “fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them’ ” (Acts 7:60; cf Lk 23:34).

Let us pray with David and trust God with our lives. Let us pray with Jesus and trust God the Father in our deaths. Let us pray with Stephen and trust the Lord Jesus. Let us forgive as Jesus forgave even on the cross. Jesus, Lord and God (Jn 20:28), teach us to pray Psalm 31:6, Luke 23:46, and Acts 7:59.

Prayer: Father, I put my life in Your hands.

Promise: “I Myself am the Bread of Life.” —Jn 6:35

Praise: St. Anselm was twice exiled because he defended the authority of the pope.

(For more Life-Changing Prayers from the Bible, view, download or order our booklet 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 April 1, 2026, through May 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio October 22, 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 WORK’S PLACE - One Bread, One Body, 04/20/2026

Monday, April 20, 2026,

Acts 6:8-15
Psalm 119:23-24, 26-27, 29-30
John 6:22-29

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THE WORK’S PLACE
“What must we do to perform the works of God?” —John 6:28

Because we have given our lives to the risen Jesus, everything in our lives, especially work, is radically new. We don’t work for perishable food, that is, for salary, profit, benefits, recognition, or power; rather, we work for “food that remains unto life eternal” (Jn 6:27). We work to become holy not only in the context of our jobs but through our jobs (see Lumen Gentium, Vatican II, 41, and Lay Members of Christ’s Faithful People, Pope St. John Paul II, 15). Whether we earn a million dollars or weren’t getting paid at all, we would still go to work, for the Lord has chosen our work to be one of the main places where He makes us holy as He is holy (see 1 Pt 1:16).

We must accept the Lord’s “way of holiness” (see Mt 6:33) by accepting Him as Lord of our lives and of our work.

Therefore:

• Don’t work on Sundays unless your state of life requires it.
• “Do not render service for appearance only and to please men” (Eph 6:6).
• “Give your service willingly, doing it for the Lord rather than men” (Eph 6:7).
• “Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being” (Col 3:23).
• “Be submissive” to your employers and “try to please them in every way” (Ti 2:9).
• “Be slaves of Christ the Lord” (Col 3:24).
• “Do all for the glory of God” (1 Cor 10:31).

Prayer: Father, may I work out my salvation in fear and trembling (Phil 2:12).

Promise: Stephen “was a man filled with grace and power, who worked great wonders and signs among the people.” —Acts 6:8

Praise: Getting laid off is something for which Jerry now gives thanks to God. It brought his family closer together.



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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 April 1, 2026, through May 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio October 22, 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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HOW CAN I KNOW JESUS? - One Bread, One Body, 04/19/2026

Sunday, April 19, 2026, Third Sunday of Easter

Acts 2:14, 22-33
1 Peter 1:17-21
Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11
Luke 24:13-35
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HOW CAN I KNOW JESUS?
“They had come to know Him in the breaking of bread.” —Luke 24:35

During the upcoming week, the Church in daily Mass reads to us from the Bread of Life discourse (Jn 6:25-59). Today’s Gospel, recounting the disciples’ encounter with Jesus on the road to the village of Emmaus, leads directly to the Eucharist. Prepared by an in-depth journey through the Old Testament Scriptures foretelling the Messiah, the disciples recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread (Lk 24:30-31).

This week, the Church will once again prepare us to recognize Jesus truly present in the Holy Eucharist. It will do this by an in-depth reading of that Bread of Life discourse. It is critical to dwell deeply in the Word of God in order to recognize Jesus. Less than half of registered Catholics believe in the Real Presence of Jesus, Body, Blood, soul, and divinity, in the Eucharist. This unbelief is symptomatic of a famine for the Word of God and thus a famine for the Bread of Life (Am 8:11).

Therefore, ask the Lord for an insatiable hunger for the food of the Kingdom — the bread of God’s Word (Mt 4:4) and the Holy Eucharist (Jn 6:35). Read the Bible daily. Learn to recognize Jesus. “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 133). If we aren’t living in the Word, we risk missing the time of our visitation (Lk 19:44).

Prayer: Father, may I prefer to spend a day without eating rather than spend a day without reading Your Word.

Promise: “You were delivered from the futile way of life your fathers handed on to you…by Christ’s blood beyond all price.” —1 Peter 1:18-19

Praise: Praise You, Jesus, Word-made-Flesh and Lamb of God (Jn 1:14, 29).

(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 April 1, 2026, through May 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio October 22, 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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