CHRISTLESS NEIGHBORHOODS - One Bread, One Body, 07/01/2026

Wednesday, July 1, 2026, St. Junipero Serra

Amos 5:14-15, 21-24
Psalm 50:7-13, 16-17
Matthew 8:28-34

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CHRISTLESS NEIGHBORHOODS
“They begged Him to leave their neighborhood.” —Matthew 8:34

Jesus has been thrown out of many neighborhoods, as He was thrown out of the town near the Gadarene boundary. He usually gets thrown out for “disturbing the war” instead of  “disturbing the peace.” Jesus comes into a neighborhood and calls us to repent, forgive, and obey. Then He casts out the devil and gives us peace.

In the neighborhood mentioned in today’s Gospel reading, the road was closed because of the savagery of two demon-possessed men (Mt 8:28). Jesus drove out the demons, opened the road, and brought peace to the neighborhood. You'd think the chamber of commerce would give Him an award. Instead, they begged Jesus “to leave their neighborhood” (Mt 8:34).

Deep down, many neighborhoods don’t want the peace of Jesus because we must accept Him as our Lord before we know Him as our Peace (see Eph 2:14). And if Jesus is the Lord of our lives, then we can’t be the lords and do our own thing; we must do His thing. We throw Jesus out of our neighborhoods because we refuse Him entry into our hearts as our Lord. If Jesus did what we told Him to do, we would let him stay in the neighborhood. But, since He insists on being Lord and God and so do we, there’s not room for both Jesus and us in our neighborhood. Our pride, sin, selfishness, and rebellion must go, if Jesus is to stay (see Jas 3:16-17, RSV-CE).

Prayer: Jesus, be Lord of my life, heart, home, and neighborhood.

Promise: “Seek good and not evil, that you may live; then truly will the Lord, the God of hosts, be with you.” —Am 5:14

Praise: St. Junipero evangelized much of the Pacific Coast in Mexico and California. He converted and baptized over six thousand Native Americans.

(For a related teaching on Pride and Faith, listen to, download or order AV 64-1 or V 64 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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THE CHURCH FREES - One Bread, One Body, 06/29/2026

Monday, June 29, 2026, Sts. Peter & Paul

Acts 12:1-11
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18
Psalm 34:2-9
Matthew 16:13-19
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THE CHURCH FREES
“With that, the chains dropped from Peter’s wrists.”—Acts 12:7

We need to realize more than ever that Jesus is the only One Who sets us free (see Jn 8:36). He frees us by His truth (Jn 8:32). Because the Church is “the pillar and bulwark of truth” (1 Tm 3:15), and has been given the keys of God’s kingdom (Mt 16:19), she is used by Jesus to free us. For example, St. Peter, the leader of the early Church, was on death row and about to be beheaded, as St. James had been (Acts 12:1ff). “The church prayed fervently to God on his behalf” (Acts 12:5). Then Jesus freed Peter through the prayers of the Church.

Peter was guarded by four squads of soldiers (Acts 12:4), “fastened with double chains” (Acts 12:6), and locked behind an “iron gate” (Acts 12:10). Peter needed to overcome numerous formidable obstacles to his freedom. We, like Peter, need a series of multiple miracles to be set free. However, the Church is praying for that. Because of the Church’s prayers, angels are being sent to wake us up (Acts 12:7), clothe us with God’s armor (Acts 12:8; see also Eph 6:14ff), and accompany us as we follow Jesus as His disciples (see Acts 12:8).

Answer the Church’s prayer. Through the intercession of Sts. Peter and Paul, be free and lead the world to new freedom.

Prayer: Father, set the captives free.

Promise: “The Lord will continue to rescue me from all attempts to do me harm and will bring me safe to His heavenly kingdom.” —2 Tm 4:18

Praise: “The Holy Spirit descended upon all who were listening to Peter’s message” (Acts 10:44).

For a related teaching on The Truth Will Set You Free, 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 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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JUST IN TIME? - One Bread, One Body, 06/30/2026

Tuesday, June 30, 2026, First Martyrs of Rome

Amos 3:1-8; 4:11-12
Psalm 5:4-8
Matthew 8:23-27

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JUST IN TIME?
“You, O God, delight not in wickedness; no evil man remains with You; the arrogant may not stand in Your sight. You hate all evildoers; You destroy all who speak falsehood.” —Psalm 5:5-7

God is just. He expects those who love Him to be just. Jesus died on the cross, took away our sins, and justified us (e.g. Rm 3:24). We must invite others to accept Jesus and His justification. Thus, we will reap a “harvest of justice” (Jas 3:18).

To be just, we must:

• worship the true God (Jn 4:24),
• obey God (Acts 5:29),
• repent (Mt 3:2),
• share our faith (Gal 1:23),
• love and serve the poor (Lk 10:25-37; Gal 2:10),
• tell the truth (Eph 4:15),
• tithe and give alms (Lk 11:41-42),
• do a good day’s work (Col 3:23),
• be peacemakers (Mt 5:9),
• take up our crosses daily (Lk 9:23),
• pray fervently for the virtue of justice,
• be pure (1 Jn 3:3), and
• forgive others and be forgiven (Mt 6:12).

Justice, by God’s standards, is a share in God’s life. It is a miracle of grace. Be just.

Prayer: Father, make me just as You are just and holy as You are holy (see 1 Pt 1:16).

Promise: “Now I will deal with you in My own way, O Israel! ...Prepare to meet your God.” —Am 4:12

Praise: The First Martyrs of Rome were cruelly executed for their unwavering faith in Jesus. Their blood has served as the seed of the Catholic Church, headquartered in Rome.

(Grow closer to the Lord and bring others with you. Attend: How to Teach the Bible in the Power of the Holy Spirit retreat July 6-9, and get equipped. See www.presentationministries.com for details.)

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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

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THE CHURCH FREES - One Bread, One Body, 06/29/2026

Monday, June 29, 2026, Sts. Peter & Paul

Acts 12:1-11
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18
Psalm 34:2-9
Matthew 16:13-19
View Readings

Listen to Fr. Al Daily Bread Radio Program

THE CHURCH FREES
“With that, the chains dropped from Peter’s wrists.”—Acts 12:7

We need to realize more than ever that Jesus is the only One Who sets us free (see Jn 8:36). He frees us by His truth (Jn 8:32). Because the Church is “the pillar and bulwark of truth” (1 Tm 3:15), and has been given the keys of God’s kingdom (Mt 16:19), she is used by Jesus to free us. For example, St. Peter, the leader of the early Church, was on death row and about to be beheaded, as St. James had been (Acts 12:1ff). “The church prayed fervently to God on his behalf” (Acts 12:5). Then Jesus freed Peter through the prayers of the Church.

Peter was guarded by four squads of soldiers (Acts 12:4), “fastened with double chains” (Acts 12:6), and locked behind an “iron gate” (Acts 12:10). Peter needed to overcome numerous formidable obstacles to his freedom. We, like Peter, need a series of multiple miracles to be set free. However, the Church is praying for that. Because of the Church’s prayers, angels are being sent to wake us up (Acts 12:7), clothe us with God’s armor (Acts 12:8; see also Eph 6:14ff), and accompany us as we follow Jesus as His disciples (see Acts 12:8).

Answer the Church’s prayer. Through the intercession of Sts. Peter and Paul, be free and lead the world to new freedom.

Prayer: Father, set the captives free.

Promise: “The Lord will continue to rescue me from all attempts to do me harm and will bring me safe to His heavenly kingdom.” —2 Tm 4:18

Praise: “The Holy Spirit descended upon all who were listening to Peter’s message” (Acts 10:44).

For a related teaching on The Truth Will Set You Free, view, download or order our booklet on our website.)

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

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

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WHO AM I IN CHRIST? - One Bread, One Body, 06/28/2026

Sunday, June 28, 2026 , 13th Sunday Ordinary Time

2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16
Romans 6:3-4, 8-11
Psalm 89:2-3, 16-19
Matthew 10:37-42
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WHO AM I IN CHRIST?
“He who brings himself to nought for Me discovers who he is.” —Matthew 10:39

We can’t know our identity until we know how God identifies us. He is our Creator, and He knows our identity. Our identity came at our Baptism when we were baptized into Christ Jesus and became a child of God. By living our Baptism, we discover who we are (see Mt 10:39; cf Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1270).

“Are you not aware” (Rm 6:3) of who you are? We don’t get to choose who we are. Rather, God created us as we are. In Baptism we are created anew, begotten from above (Jn 3:5, 7) as God’s sons and daughters.

Jesus questions Saul of Tarsus, “Why do you persecute Me?” (Acts 9:4) Jesus also says, “Whatever you do to the least of My brethren, you do it to Me” (see Mt 25:40). Thus He identifies Himself as one with us and accordingly we identify ourselves in relation to Jesus.

In the modern, secular culture, there is much confusion and rebellion against our God-given identity. “Are you not aware” of who you are in Christ Jesus? Bring yourself  “to nought for” Jesus and discover who you are (Mt 10:39; see also Jn 3:30).

Prayer: Lord, shine Your light of truth in my heart and mind. May I see myself as You see me. May I see others as You see them.

Promise: “You must consider yourselves dead to sin but alive for God in Christ Jesus.” —Rm 6:11

Praise: Praise You, Jesus, Head of the Church. Primacy is Yours in everything (see Col 1:18). Alleluia to You forever!

(For a related teaching on Obedience School, view, download or order our leaflet on our website.)
(For a related teaching on Who Am I in Christ?, 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 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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KING OF HEARTS - One Bread, One Body, 06/27/2026

Saturday, June 27, 2026, St. Cyril of Alexandria

Lamentations 2:2, 10-14, 18-19
Psalm 74:1-7, 20-21
Matthew 8:5-17

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KING OF HEARTS
“He expelled the spirits by a simple command.” —Matthew 8:16

Jesus, because He is Lord, works by giving commands. He just gives an order and the sick are healed (Mt 8:8). He commands a fever to leave Peter’s mother-in-law; it leaves (Lk 4:39). He expels demons by a simple command (Mt 8:16). Jesus even commands the stormy winds and sea to become calm, and they obey Him (Mt 8:26). Diseases, demons, and nature obey Jesus’ commands. Only human beings can choose to disobey the Lord.

The Lord loves us with a crucified, infinite love. He has the power to do all things, even rise from the dead. He knows exactly what to do under any circumstances. The only thing holding Him back is us.

We must obey Him to give Him the opportunity to manifest His wondrous love and power. We should ask the Lord for obedient hearts instead of our rebellious ones. We must stop doing our own thing and let it be done unto us according to God’s will (Lk 1:38). Our privilege and our calling is to bring our hearts to the Lord, repent of our sins, and receive new, spiritual hearts from Him (Ez 36:26).

Prayer: Jesus, at Your name every knee must bend and every tongue proclaim that You are Lord (Phil 2:10-11).

Promise: “Rise up, shrill in the night, at the beginning of every watch; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord.” —Lam 2:19

Praise: St. Cyril of Alexandria, Doctor of the Church, vigorously and successfully defended the doctrine that Jesus is fully divine and fully human.

(For a related teaching on Obedience School, 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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Copyright © Presentation Ministries

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FIRST REPENT, THEN HOPE - One Bread, One Body, 06/26/2026

Friday, June 26, 2026,

2 Kings 25:1-12
Psalm 137:1-6
Matthew 8:1-4

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FIRST REPENT, THEN HOPE
“He burned the house of the Lord, the palace of the king, and all the houses of Jerusalem; every large building was destroyed by fire. Then the Chaldean troops who were with the captain of the guard tore down the walls that surrounded Jerusalem.” —2 Kings 25:9-10

The horror and terror of today’s first Eucharistic reading is probably impossible for a modern-day audience to understand. The utter desolation of the fall of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile has been surpassed for the Jewish people only by the “Holocaust” of World War II. Imagine enemy soldiers running through your home to loot your possessions, rape your family, and torch your home. Picture bullet-ridden loved ones lying dead in your homes and streets. Hear the shrieks of children running through the streets looking for dead or exiled parents. Even these horrors are only an analogy of the destruction of the Temple, the fall of Jerusalem, and the Babylonian exile.

The Lord depicts these horrors in the Scriptures in order to prevent them from being repeated. We can do so only by removing the cause of Jerusalem’s fall, which was sin and the refusal to repent. “The wages of sin is death” (Rm 6:23). Consequently, let us not deceive ourselves and think that this applies to the past, to Jews, or to other people. Let us get the wooden beams of sin out of our own eyes (Mt 7:5). May the Holy Spirit convict us of our sins (see Jn 16:8) and immerse us in repentance, as St. John the Baptist proclaimed (Acts 13:24; Mk 1:4).

Repent now before it’s too late. Cry out to Jesus for mercy.

Prayer: Father, free me from the spiritual blindness and self-deception inherent to sin (see 1 Jn 1:8-9).

Promise: “Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him and said, ‘I do will it. Be cured.’ Immediately the man’s leprosy disappeared.” —Mt 8:3

Praise: Not having received the Sacrament of Reconciliation for over twenty years, Cindy embraced the Sacrament in a new way and promised God never to be so remiss again.



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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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