SEEING BY THE LIGHT - One Bread, One Body, 03/15/2026

Sunday, March 15, 2026, Fourth Sunday of Lent

1 Samuel 16:1, 6-7, 10-13
Ephesians 5:8-14
Psalm 23:1-6
John 9:1-41
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SEEING BY THE LIGHT
"Now I can see." —John 9:15

People are born spiritually blind. “Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance” (1 Sm 16:7). We must get our sight correct, because this is not a neutral matter. If we don’t grow in spiritual sight, we sink deeper into darkness; we grow more blind (see Jn 9:41). Jesus “came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind” (Jn 9:39, RNAB).

Adam and Eve had their eyes opened when they sinned, but became blind spiritually (see Gn 3:5ff). Are we like Adam and Eve or are we like the blind man who was healed and came to believe in Jesus? (see Jn 9:38) Are we like Samuel, who learned to see with God’s eyes? (1 Sm 16:12). 

“We walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor 5:7). Elisha’s servant grew in faith when God opened his eyes (2 Kgs 6:17). Repentance opens our eyes (see Rv 3:18-19). May we repent of seeing with the light of this world, which is darkness (Mt 6:23), and receive “the light” of Christ to truly see (Jn 1:5).

With Bartimaeus, say, “Lord...I want to see” (Lk 18:41). So many people see by the eyes of the mass media, secular culture,  the entertainment industry, and social media. Turn off the TV and your handheld electronic device. Repent and fix your eyes on Jesus (Heb 12:2). Pray for the Lord to “enlighten your innermost vision” (Eph 1:18). “Christ will give you light” (Eph 5:14).

Prayer: Father, help me to take all the planks of sin out of my eyes so I may see clearly to do Your works of mercy (Mt 7:5).

Promise: "I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come." —Ps 23:6

Praise: Praise You, Jesus, "King of kings and Lord of lords" (Rv 19:16).

(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 February 1, 2026, through March 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio August 27, 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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PRIDE RUINS LIFE - One Bread, One Body, 03/14/2026

Saturday, March 14, 2026,

Hosea 6:1-6
Psalm 51:3-4, 18-21
Luke 18:9-14

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PRIDE RUINS LIFE
"For this reason I smote them through the prophets, I slew them by the words of My mouth." —Hosea 6:5

The Pharisee in today’s Gospel reading maintained he was just, honest, and pure (see Lk 18:11). The Lord has repeatedly told us that this is His will for us. The Pharisee also fasted and tithed (Lk 18:12). These are also commandments from the Lord. If we love Him, we will obey these commandments and all the commandments (Jn 15:10; 1 Jn 5:3).

Although the Pharisee did these things which were pleasing to the Lord, the Lord was not pleased with him because the Pharisee was proud, not humble. “Every proud man is an abomination to the Lord” (Prv 16:5), for the Lord hates pride (see Prv 6:16-17; 8:13). Because the Lord loves the proud and because pride is a way to sin and hell, “God ‘is stern with the arrogant but to the humble He shows kindness’ ” (1 Pt 5:5).

Therefore, humble yourself so that the Lord will not have to humble you (Lk 18:14). Take up the yoke of Jesus’ cross and learn from Him, for He is “gentle and humble of heart” (Mt 11:29). Humble yourself and go to Confession at least monthly. Humble yourself by forgiving, apologizing, simplifying your lifestyle, evangelizing, serving, and suffering. We either accept God’s grace of humility, or we risk damnation. Choose to live for and be like the humble, crucified Jesus.

Prayer: Father, base my decision-making on Your call for me to become humble.

Promise: "This man went home from the temple justified but the other did not." —Lk 18:14

Praise: Don spends hours each week volunteering to mow the grass for a Catholic retreat center.

(For a related teaching on Arrogance, listen to, download or order our AV 52-1 or V 52 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 February 1, 2026, through March 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio August 27, 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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YOUR FIRST RETURN - One Bread, One Body, 03/13/2026

Friday, March 13, 2026,

Hosea 14:2-10
Psalm 81:6-11, 14, 17
Mark 12:28-34

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YOUR FIRST RETURN
"You shall love the Lord." —Mark 12:30

A priest was promoted to become pastor of several parishes. During his first several years as a priest, he had set aside ample time for a rich prayer life. With the increased responsibilities of a pastor, he realized that no matter how much time and effort he devoted to his parishes, there was always more work demanding his attention. The priest shortened his prayer time and began to spend more hours working. One morning, in his shortened prayer time, he sensed the Lord saying to him, “You used to love Me. Now you just work for Me.” The busy priest was cut to the heart. He fell to his knees and wept in sorrow. This encounter with the Lord profoundly transformed both his prayer life and ministry to be more fruitful and loving.

We are the bride of Christ. Our relationship with the Lord is to be that of marriage. We love Him devoutly, fervently, attentively, faithfully — with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mk 12:30). The Lord invites us to a loving intimacy, espousing us in love and in mercy (Hos 2:21-22). “With age-old love” He has loved us (Jer 31:3). God so loves us that He did not spare His only Son for our sakes (Jn 3:16; Rm 8:32).

Nothing can separate us from His love (Rm 8:39), except our own free choice to turn our backs on His love. Without love, we are like the older brother of the prodigal son, just a “slave” working for the Lord (Lk 15:28-30). Let us return wholeheartedly to our first love of God (Rv 2:4).

Prayer: Father, may I make a return of love to You for all the good You have done for me (Ps 116:12).

Promise: "I will love them freely." —Hos 14:5

Praise: Bishop Smith burns with zeal for the Gospel. He asks his people: "Can others tell that Christ is in you, before you tell them?"

(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 February 1, 2026, through March 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio August 27, 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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WITH JESUS - One Bread, One Body, 03/12/2026

Thursday, March 12, 2026,

Jeremiah 7:23-28
Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9
Luke 11:14-23

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WITH JESUS
"He who is not with Me is against Me." —Luke 11:23

Jesus said that whoever is not with Him is against Him (Lk 11:23). This makes sense, for Jesus is Emmanuel, God-with-us (Mt 1:23), till the end (Mt 28:20). At the Doxology in Mass, the priest proclaims, “Through Him, with Him, in Him.” A disciple is one who is with Jesus.

Jesus, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, came down from the bliss of heaven to be with us. Jesus said that when two or three are gathered in His name, there He is in their midst, with us again (Mt 18:20). At His agony in the garden, Jesus asked: Could you not remain “with Me” for even an hour? (Mt 26:40) But Jesus wants so much more than one hour out of 168 in a week. He wants to be with us always, even to the end of time (Mt 28:20). This is the essence of Eucharistic Adoration — being with Jesus.

There is no neutral ground in which we are neither with Jesus nor against Him. Heaven is eternity with Jesus. Hell is a place where one spends eternity without Jesus — a place of “definitive self-exclusion” from Jesus (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1033). There is no other choice. So, “decide today” (Jos 24:15) to remain with Jesus. Do all you can to be “with Jesus,” day after day — until you end up being with Him forever in heaven.

Prayer: Jesus, "with You I shall always be…and when I am with You, the earth delights me not" (Ps 73:23, 25).

Promise: "Walk in all the ways that I command you, so that you may prosper." —Jer 7:23

Praise: When Bill is tempted to impure thoughts, he accepts the grace to "bring every thought into captivity to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Cor 10:5).

(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 February 1, 2026, through March 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio August 27, 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 WORD FOR ALL TIME - One Bread, One Body, 03/11/2026

Wednesday, March 11, 2026,

Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9
Psalm 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20
Matthew 5:17-19

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THE WORD FOR ALL TIME
"He sends forth His command to the earth; swiftly runs His word!" —Psalm 147:15

“The word of the Lord endures forever” (1 Pt 1:24). “Permanence is Your word’s chief trait” (Ps 119:160). Jesus testified that God’s “words will not pass away” (Lk 16:17; Mt 5:18).

God has given wise and intelligent laws, glorious statutes, ordinances, and words. We are to teach them to our children (Dt 4:5-9). He sends His Word to the earth, and “swiftly runs His word” (Ps 147:15). Jesus came to fulfill God’s Word (Mt 5:17). “This is the time of fulfillment” (Mk 1:15). “He has proclaimed His word to Jacob” (Israel) and we all receive the blessings of that proclamation (see Ps 147:19).

God asks: Why spend your life on what will not last, on what will pass away, on what will not bring fulfillment? (see Is 55:2) The Word of God fulfills its purpose (Is 55:10-11). Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God (Mt 4:4; Dt 8:3).

So, invest your life in the Word of God. That’s an investment which never fails to bring its return (Is 55:10-11).

Prayer: Father, give me the grace to build my life upon the rock-solid foundation of Your Word (Mt 7:24).

Promise: "Whoever fulfills and teaches these commands shall be great in the kingdom of God." —Mt 5:19

Praise: At a healing service, Jesus healed Linda, who was weeks away from dying. She came to the service in a wheelchair and left the service walking.

(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(For a related teaching on 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 February 1, 2026, through March 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio August 27, 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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CHEERFUL FORGIVER - One Bread, One Body, 03/10/2026

Tuesday, March 10, 2026,

Daniel 3:25, 34-43
Psalm 25:4-9
Matthew 18:21-35

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CHEERFUL FORGIVER
"That is why the reign of God may be said to be like a king who decided to settle accounts with his officials." —Matthew 18:23

When Jesus taught us to pray, He told us to ask for forgiveness as we forgive others (Mt 6:12). We should not only forgive, but forgive one another graciously as we wish our Father to forgive us. God wants us to forgive from our hearts (Mt 18:35), not grudgingly, but as both a cheerful giver and forgiver (2 Cor 9:7). He calls us to forgive even before the other person apologizes; to give pardon before, to “be fore-giving.”

Our Father reaffirms His love for us when He forgives us. He calls us to do the same. “Therefore...reaffirm your love for Him” (2 Cor 2:8). Our Father forgives us in style. He embraces and kisses us (Lk 15:20). He puts the finest robes on us, rings on our fingers, and shoes on our feet (Lk 15:22). He forgives so graciously we feel like forgiving ourselves in imitation of Him. He even makes excuses for us: “Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing” (Lk 23:34). He forgives us lavishly. That’s our Father and how He wants to forgive us, as we forgive one another.

Prayer: Father, may I forgive everyone in grand style, as You do, and be forgiven accordingly.

Promise: "So let our sacrifice be in Your presence today as we follow You unreservedly; for those who trust in You cannot be put to shame." —Dn 3:40

Praise: Dr. Tim, a surgeon, prays with his patients before performing the operation.

(For a related teaching on 14 Questions on Forgiveness, 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 February 1, 2026, through March 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio August 27, 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 LITTLE WAY - One Bread, One Body, 03/09/2026

Monday, March 9, 2026, St. Frances of Rome

2 Kings 5:1-15
Psalm 42:2-3; 43:3-4
Luke 4:24-30

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THE LITTLE WAY
"If the prophet had told you to do something extraordinary, would you not have done it?" —2 Kings 5:13

Jesus said: “If you can trust a man in little things, you can also trust Him in greater” (Lk 16:10). What, then, are the little things? In terms of time, ten minutes of daily prayer and a half-hour spent going to monthly Confession are small intervals of time. Going to Mass once a week is only one hour out of 168 hours in a week. Jesus asks, “Can you not stay with Me for even an hour?” (see Mt 26:40)

Naaman was healed by a little thing, washing seven times in the Jordan River (2 Kgs 5:14). His servants, knowing Naaman would have readily done something extraordinary to be healed, pleaded with him to perform the simple and little remedy (2 Kgs 5:13).

St. Thérèse of Lisieux spoke of “the little way,” doing little things for God with great love. She knew how important it was to obey God in little things. Now God is using her mightily. For example, she is the patroness of foreign missions.

When we began Lent, most of us made resolutions. Did those resolutions contain extraordinary things? Now we are in the third week of Lent. How are we doing with those extraordinary things? It’s better to successfully do small things in obedience to the Lord, for God often works in small things like mustard seeds (see Mt 13:31-32). Like little crumbs of yeast, often the small pieces lead to large things (Mt 13:33). Be trustworthy and obey the Lord in little things (Lk 16:10).

Prayer: Father, may I not scorn "small beginnings" (Zec 4:10). Help me to obey You faithfully in all I do.

Promise: "Send forth Your light and Your fidelity; they shall lead me on and bring me to Your holy mountain." —Ps 43:3

Praise: St. Frances of Rome spent her life in service to the poor and the ill.

(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 February 1, 2026, through March 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio August 27, 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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