GRUMBLE OR HUMBLE? - One Bread, One Body, 08/16/2026

Sunday, August 16, 2026, 20th Sunday Ordinary Time

Isaiah 56:1, 6-7
Romans 11:13-15, 29-32
Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8
Matthew 15:21-28
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GRUMBLE OR HUMBLE?
“He gave her no word of response.” —Matthew 15:23

Although Jesus’ interaction with the Canaanite woman sounds harsh to our modern ears, Jesus is testing the woman’s faith (Mt 15:23ff). St. Augustine comments that God might seem to refuse our prayers initially so as to enable our hearts to expand and be capable of receiving what He wishes to give us. God’s ways are very high above our ways (Is 55:8-9).

The woman passed the test with flying colors. She displayed both humility and faith. She didn’t protest or grumble about the way Jesus was treating her. She could have been proud or offended, as so many react in the present day. She could have given up and returned home. However, her faith persisted, and her humility shone forth. Jesus both granted her request and gave her the ultimate compliment: “Woman, you have great faith!” (Mt 15:28)

Would that the scribes, Pharisees, and elders of the Jewish people had reacted to Jesus with such faith and humility! Would that the people of Nazareth had such faith and humility, rather than responding to Jesus by being “filled with indignation” (Lk 4:28). Would that the Hebrews in the desert acted with such humility and faith rather than with grumbling and doubt (Ex 16:2; Nm 11:1).

What about us today? Do we grumble about prayers seemingly not being answered? Do we lose faith if it seems to us that the Lord is not listening? There is always a greater level of faith and humility to which we can aspire. Can we humble ourselves and persist in trials? Can we confess that we are “useless servants” (Lk 17:10), not entitled to receive anything from the Lord? When we don’t understand the Lord, will we grumble or be humble?

Prayer: Father, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done” (Mt 6:10).

Promise: “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” —Is 56:7

Praise: “May the peoples praise You, O God; may all the peoples praise You!” (Ps 67:6) You give us “life from the dead!” (Rm 11:15)

(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 August 1, 2026, through September 30, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May, 6, 2026"

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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REALISTIC ASSUMPTIONS - One Bread, One Body, 08/15/2026

Saturday, August 15, 2026, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Revelation 11:19; 12:1-6, 10
1 Corinthians 15:20-27
Psalm 45:10-12, 16
Luke 1:39-56
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REALISTIC ASSUMPTIONS
“God Who is mighty has done great things for me, holy is His name.” —Luke 1:49

Jesus promised that all who live for Him will be caught up “in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thenceforth we shall be with the Lord unceasingly” (1 Thes 4:17). All Jesus’ disciples will be assumed into heaven. This means that “death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Cor 15:54). Death is the result of sin, and Jesus’ disciples will eventually be sinless, “holy and immaculate, without stain or wrinkle or anything of that sort” (Eph 5:27). Thus, Jesus’ disciples will rise from the dead, meet the Lord in the air, and go to live with Him in the perfect happiness of heaven.

The Blessed Virgin Mary’s assumption into heaven is a preview of our own assumption. Our assumption into heaven is not only a theory but a reality which Mary has already received. Mary’s assumption is a reason to hope that our future will not only be better, but spectacular and absolutely perfect. Therefore, we sing with Mary: “My being proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit finds joy in God my Savior” (Lk 1:46-47). We have reason to be eternally grateful for the Lord’s love. “The sufferings of the present” are “nothing compared with the glory to be revealed in us” (Rm 8:18). “Rejoice in hope” (Rm 12:12). We will not be disappointed in our hopes (Rm 5:5) of resurrection and assumption. Alleluia forever!

Prayer: Father, fill me with joyful expectations as a result of this holy day.

Promise: “Now have salvation and power come, the reign of our God and the authority of His Anointed One.” —Rv 12:10

Praise: Praise the risen and returning Jesus, drawing all people to Himself! (Jn 12:32) Blessed be His Mother, Mary, assumed into heaven with Jesus forever.



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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 August 1, 2026, through September 30, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May, 6, 2026"

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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WON BY ONE - One Bread, One Body, 08/14/2026

Friday, August 14, 2026, St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe

Ezekiel 16:1-15, 60, 63
Isaiah 12:2-6
Matthew 19:3-12

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WON BY ONE
“The two shall become as one.” —Matthew 19:5

In marriage, the Lord miraculously makes a man and a woman into one flesh (Mt 19:6). This divine unity is unbreakable and irreversible. This is not the only time the Lord creates a miraculous unity in our lives. By the one Spirit, we have been baptized into the one body of Christ (1 Cor 12:13). This divine unity is the deepest unity possible for a human being. Through Baptism, we have the potential of being united with our baptized brothers and sisters as Jesus and the Father are one (Jn 17:21). We can have Trinity-unity.

From Baptism to Holy Communion to Holy Matrimony, the Lord has created us to be one with Him and each other in a miraculous way. He died “to gather into one all the dispersed children of God” (Jn 11:52). “There is but one body and one Spirit, just as there is but one hope given all of you by your call. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all” (Eph 4:4-6).

“Behold, how good it is, and how pleasant, where brethren dwell at one!” (Ps 133:1)

Prayer: Father, give us a unity stronger than self and death.

Promise: “Yet I will remember the covenant I made with you.” —Ez 16:60

Praise: St. Maximilian exhorted his fellow captives by stating, “Courage, my sons. Don’t you see that we are leaving on a mission?”



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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 August 1, 2026, through September 30, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May, 6, 2026"

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 QUALITY OF MERCY” - One Bread, One Body, 08/13/2026

Thursday, August 13, 2026, Pope St. Pontian &
St. Hippolytus

Ezekiel 12:1-12
Psalm 78:56-59, 61-62
Matthew 18:21—19:1

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“THE QUALITY OF MERCY”
“Moved with pity, the master let the official go and wrote off the debt.” —Matthew 18:27

The Lord commands us to forgive indefinitely and to express our forgiveness not just by kindness and patience but by mercy. We don’t just give those who have offended us time to pay us back, but we write off the debt and take the loss ourselves (Mt 18:27). For example, if someone hits your car, God’s way of forgiving may require more than controlling your temper and being understanding. God’s forgiveness may mean paying for the damage yourself. This is mercy, which is the essence of God’s forgiveness.

God expressed His mercy by sending His Son Jesus to atone for all our sins (see 1 Jn 4:10). The cost of mercy is the life, blood, and death of Jesus (see 1 Pt 1:18-19). The Lord expects us to pass on to others the mercy He has given us (Mt 18:33). He lets us share in His mercy by filling up in our own bodies what is lacking in His sufferings (Col 1:24). Thereby we share with Jesus in His sufferings and will share with Him in His glory. “Blest are they who show mercy; mercy shall be theirs” (Mt 5:7).

Prayer: Father, work the miracle of mercy in me.

Promise: “Should you not have dealt mercifully with your fellow servant, as I dealt with you?” —Mt 18:33

Praise: St. Hippolytus commented that Christ “seeks all, and desires to save all, wishing to make all the children of God.”

(Receive the consolation of the Holy Spirit at our retreat for widows and widowers Sept. 11-13. 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 August 1, 2026, through September 30, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May, 6, 2026"

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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CROSSED UP - One Bread, One Body, 08/12/2026

Wednesday, August 12, 2026, St. Jane Frances de Chantal

Ezekiel 9:1-7; 10:18-22
Psalm 113:1-6
Matthew 18:15-20

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CROSSED UP
“Mark an X on the foreheads of those who moan and groan over all the abominations that are practiced within it (Jerusalem). To the others I heard Him say: Pass through the city after him and strike!” —Ezekiel 9:4-5

The prophet Ezekiel wrote that those who are marked with an X will be spared destruction. In the Hebrew, the letter translated “X” is taw, a T-shaped, cross-shaped letter. Therefore, Ezekiel’s prophecy could be understood to mean that those marked with the sign of the cross will be spared destruction and damnation. St. John in Revelation says the same thing when he proclaims that those having the seal of the living God on their foreheads will be saved (Rv 7:3), while those having the mark of the beast will be “hurled down alive into the fiery pool of burning sulphur” (Rv 19:20).

Do you have the sign of the cross imprinted on your life? This is not just a matter of physically making the sign of the cross, but of taking up our crosses each day, denying ourselves, sacrificing our wills and pleasures, and following in the footsteps of the crucified Christ (Lk 9:23; cf Rm 12:1). How many times today will we trace the sign of the cross on our lives? Will we take up crosses of reconciliation, forgiveness, evangelization, rejection, persecution, chastity, service, almsgiving, prayer, fasting, and Gospel poverty? Will we make the sign of the cross on our lives so deeply and frequently that it is obvious we have been crucified with Jesus? (Gal 2:19) With this cross on our lives, we will be spared destruction and enter into eternal life.

Prayer: “We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You, because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.”

Promise: “Where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I in their midst.” —Mt 18:20

Praise: “Where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I in their midst.” —Mt 18:20



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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 August 1, 2026, through September 30, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May, 6, 2026"

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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FATHER-FOCUS - One Bread, One Body, 08/11/2026

Tuesday, August 11, 2026, St. Clare

Ezekiel 2:8—3:4
Psalm 119:14, 24, 72, 103, 111, 131
Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14

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FATHER-FOCUS
“I gasp with open mouth in my yearning for Your commands.” —Psalm 119:131

I recall an occasion years ago when my young son was on one side of a street and I was on the other. I had been gradually teaching my son the skills needed to cross a street without clinging to me for blind guidance. Although there was little danger in the situation when viewed through an adult’s eyes, I could easily sense the fear in his eyes. He focused intently on my every word: “First, look to the left...then to the right. Are any cars coming? Good, now run straight to me.” My little son obeyed each command exactly, just as if his life depended on it. He yearned for my commands (Ps 119:131) because he knew his father’s word meant safety and success.

Surely this is what Jesus has in mind when He says: “Unless you change and become like little children, you will not enter the kingdom of God” (Mt 18:3). If we don’t follow God’s commands, it would be as if my young son suddenly decided he could cross the street without his daddy’s help. Similarly, not heeding God’s commands exposes us to grave dangers (Mt 7:26-27). The Lord’s commands are meant for our welfare, not for our harm (see Mt 18:14; Jer 29:11). God tells us, as He told the prophet Ezekiel: “Obey Me when I speak to you” (Ez 2:8).

Prayer: Father, “Your decrees are my delight; they are my counselors” (Ps 119:24). Thank You, my God, for Your guidance and love.

Promise: “Whoever makes himself lowly, becoming like this child, is of greatest importance in that heavenly reign.” —Mt 18:4

Praise: St. Clare embraced a life of Gospel poverty, simplicity, and penance. Her sister, mother, and many other women joined her as cloistered Franciscan nuns in the Poor Clares.

(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(Singles, look to the Lord in all you do, put His will for your life as top priority. Get guidance at a retreat just for you Sept. 18-20. 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 August 1, 2026, through September 30, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May, 6, 2026"

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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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY - One Bread, One Body, 08/10/2026

Monday, August 10, 2026, St. Lawrence

2 Corinthians 9:6-10
Psalm 112:1-2, 5-9
John 12:24-26

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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
“Lavishly he gives to the poor.” —Psalm 112:9

St. Lawrence was treasurer of the Church in the third century. The Roman government arrested him and gave him three days to hand over the treasures of the Church. First, Lawrence gave all the Church’s money to the poor. Then he gathered the poor, crippled, blind, and lame and presented them to the Roman officials, saying, “Here are the treasures of the Church.” Naturally, the Romans didn’t view treasures as Lawrence did, and they responded by putting him to death as a martyr.

Often people in secular society don’t see the poor, marginalized, handicapped, or babies in the womb as treasures. It’s much like the parable of the hidden treasure in the field (Mt 13:44). The person who bought the field saw its great value and sold all to buy it. However, his peers, who couldn’t see the buried treasure, would have considered such a purchase foolhardy.

As disciples of Jesus, it is essential to see with eyes of faith rather than a worldly perspective. Many will not see as we Christians see (see 1 Cor 2:13-15). Those in the world will consider our treasures as “absurdity” (1 Cor 2:14). Jesus warned: “Do not lay up for yourselves an earthly treasure. Moths and rust corrode; thieves break in and steal. Make it your practice instead to store up heavenly treasure, which neither moths nor rust corrode nor thieves break in and steal. Remember, where your treasure is, there your heart is also” (Mt 6:19-21).

With St. Lawrence, “be intent on things above rather than on things of earth” (Col 3:2). Fix your eyes on Jesus (Heb 12:2), “our only Master and Lord” (Jude 4).

Prayer: Father, enlighten our “innermost vision” that we might see as did St. Lawrence (Eph 1:18).

Promise: “He who sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will reap bountifully.” —2 Cor 9:6

Praise: St. Lawrence was martyred less than a week after his Pope, St. Sixtus II, was martyred. He bravely faced death for Jesus.

(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 August 1, 2026, through September 30, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May, 6, 2026"

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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