OPEN AND SHUT - One Bread, One Body, 06/24/2026

Wednesday, June 24, 2026, Birth of St. John the Baptizer

Isaiah 49:1-6
Acts 13:22-26
Psalm 139:1-3, 13-15
Luke 1:57-66, 80
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OPEN AND SHUT
“John heralded the coming of Jesus by proclaiming a baptism of repentance.” —Acts 13:24

The name “John” means “God is gracious.” St. John the Baptizer’s father, St. Zechariah, wrote: “His name is John” (Lk 1:63), that is, “God is gracious.” At that moment, Zechariah’s mouth was opened (Lk 1:64).

Blessings come upon us when we speak for the glory of God and when we decrease and allow God to increase (Jn 3:30). John’s was “a baptism of repentance” (Acts 13:24). How much would you have to decrease to tell others about repentance? How many times in the last month have you spoken the word “repent”? How much would God have to increase in you to enable you to tell a wounded world of the healing God graciously works in a heart that repents of sin?

The prophet Jeremiah said he would no longer speak of God; it hurt him to keep telling his nation to repent (Jer 20:7-8). So he closed his mouth and would not speak, like John’s father Zechariah. But then God’s Word was too strong for him. Jeremiah grew “weary holding it in”; he had to speak (Jer 20:9) of the need for repentance.

Let us speak of the truth, repentance, reconciliation, healing and the joy of being forgiven. Let us decrease so our gracious God can increase.

Prayer: Father, give me an untiring devotion to Your gracious, never-failing mercy. May I never grow weary of spreading the Good News of Your salvation.

Promise: “My God is now my strength.” —Is 49:5

Praise: “All who heard stored these things up in their hearts, saying, ‘What will this child be?’ and ‘Was not the hand of the Lord upon Him?’ ” (Lk 1:66)

(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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A SOLDIER FOR CHRIST - One Bread, One Body, 06/23/2026

Tuesday, June 23, 2026,

2 Kings 19:9-11, 14-21, 31-36
Psalm 48:2-4, 10-11
Matthew 7:6, 12-14

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A SOLDIER FOR CHRIST
That night the angel of the Lord went forth and struck down one hundred and eighty-five thousand men in the Assyrian camp. Early the next morning, there they were, all the corpses of the dead.” —2 Kings 19:35

Traditionally, nations have waged war by acts of physical violence coupled with prayers to their gods for victory. This is how most of the battles of the Old Testament were waged (see 2 Kgs 19:15-19; 2 Kgs 3:26-27), and how almost all battles are still waged today.

Occasionally, a war was waged without any physical violence on the part of the winning army. Moses (Ex 14:14), Jehoshaphat (2 Chr 20:17), and Hezekiah (2 Kgs 19:35) fought such wars. In these battles, although the winning army did not kill the enemy,  the enemy was destroyed either by their own infighting, an angel, or God Himself.

In the New Testament, we have a radically different kind of warfare. This is perfectly expressed by Jesus’ death on the cross. Jesus did not do any violence to His enemies. He was “like a lamb led to the slaughter” (Is 53:7). Jesus did not even use His prerogative to command legions of angels to defeat His enemies (Mt 26:53). Rather, Jesus won the ultimate victory over Satan, sin, and violence by loving His enemies and letting them kill Him (see Mt 5:44).

Prayer: Jesus, may I let You fight my battles Your way — the way of the cross.

Promise: “Treat others the way you would have them treat you.” —Mt 7:12

Praise: When his wife died, Gary turned to the Lord and understood God’s promise of eternal life.

(There is still time to register for the retreat: Intimacy with God, which delves into the sacramental life Christ has established for us. 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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“AVOID JUDGMENT” (Mt 7:1) - One Bread, One Body, 06/22/2026

Monday, June 22, 2026, St. Paulinus of Nola
Sts. John Fisher & Thomas More

2 Kings 17:5-8, 13-15, 18
Psalm 60:3-5, 12-13
Matthew 7:1-5

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“AVOID JUDGMENT” (Mt 7:1)
“If you want to avoid judgment...” —Matthew 7:1

“If you want to avoid judgment, stop passing judgment” on others’ character and motives (Mt 7:1). If we judge others’ character and motives, we will have the same verdict passed on us (Mt 7:2). “If you want to avoid judgment,” repent of your own sins, and then help others repent (see Mt 7:5).

If we want to avoid judgment, we must forgive those who have sinned against us. Otherwise, we will not be forgiven (Mt 6:15), and we will be in no position to help others to be reconciled with the Lord.

In summary, to avoid coming under judgment, we must:

• not judge others’ character or motives,
• repent of our sins,
• help others to reconcile with God, and
• forgive others.

By God’s grace, we must do all of these things, or we risk being judged. “Avoid judgment” (Mt 7:1).

Prayer: Father, may loving and faithful obedience to You be my joy and delight.

Promise: “Then you will see clearly to take the speck from your brother’s eye.” —Mt 7:5

Praise: Shortly before his martyrdom, St. Thomas More wrote, “Nothing can come but what God wills. And I am very sure that whatever that be, however bad it may seem, it shall indeed be the best.”

(For a related teaching on Seek First the Kingdom, 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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A SOLDIER FOR CHRIST - One Bread, One Body, 06/23/2026

Tuesday, June 23, 2026,

2 Kings 19:9-11, 14-21, 31-36
Psalm 48:2-4, 10-11
Matthew 7:6, 12-14

View Readings

Listen to Fr. Al Daily Bread Radio Program

A SOLDIER FOR CHRIST
That night the angel of the Lord went forth and struck down one hundred and eighty-five thousand men in the Assyrian camp. Early the next morning, there they were, all the corpses of the dead.” —2 Kings 19:35

Traditionally, nations have waged war by acts of physical violence coupled with prayers to their gods for victory. This is how most of the battles of the Old Testament were waged (see 2 Kgs 19:15-19; 2 Kgs 3:26-27), and how almost all battles are still waged today.

Occasionally, a war was waged without any physical violence on the part of the winning army. Moses (Ex 14:14), Jehoshaphat (2 Chr 20:17), and Hezekiah (2 Kgs 19:35) fought such wars. In these battles, although the winning army did not kill the enemy,  the enemy was destroyed either by their own infighting, an angel, or God Himself.

In the New Testament, we have a radically different kind of warfare. This is perfectly expressed by Jesus’ death on the cross. Jesus did not do any violence to His enemies. He was “like a lamb led to the slaughter” (Is 53:7). Jesus did not even use His prerogative to command legions of angels to defeat His enemies (Mt 26:53). Rather, Jesus won the ultimate victory over Satan, sin, and violence by loving His enemies and letting them kill Him (see Mt 5:44).

Prayer: Jesus, may I let You fight my battles Your way — the way of the cross.

Promise: “Treat others the way you would have them treat you.” —Mt 7:12

Praise: When his wife died, Gary turned to the Lord and understood God’s promise of eternal life.

(There is still time to register for the retreat: Intimacy with God, which delves into the sacramental life Christ has established for us. June 29-July 1. Call 513-373-2397 or see www.presentationministries.com to register.)

-----------------------------------------------------------------

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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NO FEAR - One Bread, One Body, 06/21/2026

Sunday, June 21, 2026, 12th Sunday Ordinary Time

Jeremiah 20:10-13
Romans 5:12-15
Psalm 69:8-10, 14, 17, 33-35
Matthew 10:26-33
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NO FEAR
“Do not fear.” —Matthew 10:28

Fear has always been a major factor in life. Many people even make fear a way of life. They live in fear (see Lk 12:32) and are lifelong slaves through their fear of death (Heb 2:15). In the Bible, the Lord commands us hundreds of times: “Do not be afraid” (see Mt 10:26, 28, 31). He commands: “Do not fear; only believe” (Mk 5:36, RSV-CE). He promises that the fear of the Lord can remove the fear of man from our lives. “He who fears the Lord is never alarmed, never afraid; for the Lord is his Hope” (Sir 34:14). Moreover, “perfect love casts out all fear” (1 Jn 4:18). The fear of the Lord is not only the beginning of wisdom but also of fearlessness (see Prv 9:10). Then our faith, hope, and love in the Lord displace fear from our lives.

The Holy Spirit gives us this fear of the Lord. Faith and love are fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22), and our hope will not leave us disappointed because the Spirit has poured out Christ’s love in our hearts (Rm 5:5). Therefore, “do not fear.” The Lord says it again and again: “Do not fear.” The Spirit we have received is no fearful Spirit (2 Tm 1:7), “so do not be afraid of anything” (Mt 10:31).

Prayer: Father, may people ask me the reason for my fearlessness (see 1 Pt 3:15).

Promise: “Sing to the Lord, praise the Lord, for He has rescued the life of the poor from the power of the wicked!” —Jer 20:13

Praise: Praise the risen Jesus, the Victor over death! Alleluia forever! (see 1 Cor 15:55-57)

(To help you read the Bible so that you “Do not fear,” consider listening to, downloading, or ordering our audio series An Introduction to each Book of the Bible 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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LORD OF THE WILD - One Bread, One Body, 06/20/2026

Saturday, June 20, 2026,

2 Chronicles 24:17-25
Psalm 89:4-5, 29-34
Matthew 6:24-34

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LORD OF THE WILD
“Learn a lesson from the way the wild flowers grow.”—Matthew 6:28

Wild flower displays in the wilderness alongside the trail are so glorious. God smiles on us through their beauty. Jesus taught us to “learn a lesson from the way the wild flowers grow” (Mt 6:28). What lessons can we learn from the wild flowers? 

• King Solomon was so magnificent that another person of royalty, the Queen of Sheba, became “breathless” when she beheld his glory (1 Kgs 10:5). “King Solomon surpassed in riches and wisdom all the kings of the earth” (1 Kgs 10:23). Yet “not even Solomon in all his splendor was arrayed like one of these” wild flowers (Mt 6:29).
• God clothes the wild flowers in great splendor, but they are gone tomorrow (Mt 6:29-30). Our “time is short” (1 Cor 7:29). Let us live for God while we have time.
• God simply provides everything for them (see Mt 6:26, 30). They bloom where they are, whether anyone notices them or not.
• They open up to the sun; we are to open up to the Son (see Jn 1:4).

•        Through their beauty, we learn that we “are beautiful” to the Lord, our Bridegroom (Sg 4:1).

Prayer: Father, I give You every detail of my life. I trust that You love me and will transform my life for Your greater glory.

Promise: “Your heavenly Father knows all that you need. Seek first His kingship over you, His way of holiness, and all these things will be given you besides.” —Mt 6:32-33

Praise: Nora lived a pagan lifestyle in her late teens. She encountered Jesus, married a godly Catholic man, converted to the Faith, and now homeschools her large family for the Lord.

(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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EYE-STOPPER - One Bread, One Body, 06/19/2026

Friday, June 19, 2026, St. Romuald

2 Kings 11:1-4, 9-18, 20
Psalm 132:11-14, 17-18
Matthew 6:19-23

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EYE-STOPPER
“Remember, where your treasure is, there your heart is also. The eye is the body’s lamp.” —Matthew 6:21-22

Jesus was talking about earthly treasure, and then He changed the subject to eyes. This implies that what we allow our eyes to look at affects what we treasure. In fact, our eyes have an extreme effect on our values and lifestyle. Jesus said: “If your eyes are good, your body will be filled with light; if your eyes are bad, your body will be in darkness. And if your light is darkness, how deep will the darkness be!” (Mt 6:22-23)

Therefore, we must guard our eyes not only from sexual temptations but also from temptations to a pleasure-seeking, self-centered lifestyle. This should limit our screen time drastically. We may not think screen time is affecting us but the Lord considers that it is. Obviously, advertisers know He’s right. They’re not paying millions of dollars for marketing campaigns that won’t affect us. Eve probably didn’t think looking at the forbidden fruit would affect her, but it resulted in the first sin and the warping of our human nature (Gn 3:6).

The Lord set our eyes into our skull to protect our eyes. He also gave us eyelids, eyelashes, and eyebrows for more protection. Just as He gives our eyes special protection physically, the Lord wants to protect our eyes spiritually. Therefore, we must let Him be Lord of our lives and our eyes.

Prayer: Father, give me the grace to close my eyes lest I look on evil (Is 33:15). May my “eyes look straight ahead and [my] glance be directly forward” (Prv 4:25), fixed on Jesus (Heb 12:2).

Promise: “All the people of the land rejoiced and the city was quiet.” —2 Kgs 11:20

Praise: St. Romuald’s father killed a man in a duel. Romuald fled to a monastery and lived a holy life. His father repented and became a monk, encouraged by the holiness of his son.



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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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Copyright © Presentation Ministries

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

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