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Wednesday, December 31, 2008

THE END - One Bread, One Body, 12/31/2008

Wednesday, December 31, 2008, Pope St. Sylvester

1 John 2:18-21, Psalm 96, John 1:1-18
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/123108.shtml

THE END

"Children, it is the final hour." —1 John 2:18

On this last day of the year, you may look back on 2008 and see that many
antichrists have appeared (1 Jn 2:18). It may have been a very difficult
year. However, tough years need not be bad years. Even the most
"impossible" year can be good. Even the most sinful year can be turned to
the good by repentance, forgiveness, and total commitment to Jesus. "All's
well that ends well." End this year by accepting God's grace.

Even if you have endured such a year as Job had, you have so much to be
thankful for. No suffering or tragedy should overshadow the "love
following upon love" (Jn 1:16) that God pours out over you. "Of His
fullness we have all had a share" (Jn 1:16). The Lord has again "crowned
the year" with His bounty (Ps 65:12). "Let us give thanks to the Lord our
God. It is right to give Him thanks and praise" (introduction to the
Preface at Mass).

"Give thanks to God the Father always and for everything in the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph 5:20). "Dedicate yourselves to thankfulness"
(Col 3:15). "Let the last word be, He is all in all! Let us praise Him the
more, since we cannot fathom Him, for greater is He than all His works"
(Sir 43:28-29).

Thank You, Jesus, for 2008. I love You with all my heart.

Prayer: Father, may I realize that You don't owe me anything and I owe You
everything, even every moment of my life.

Promise: "In the beginning was the Word; the Word was in God's presence,
and the Word was God." —Jn 1:1

Praise: Pope St. Sylvester was thirty-third of the first thirty-five
canonized popes, when being chosen pope was tantamount to a death
sentence. He was blessed by God to lead the Church from her years of
persecution to be set "free in the open" (Ps 18:20) by his construction of
some of the first churches.

(Resolve to work for the Lord and for Presentation Ministries this New
Year! Consider becoming a co-worker. Attend the "Co-Workers" Retreat Jan
31, 2009 in Cincinnati. Call 513-662-5378 for information.)

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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my
permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from
December 1, 2008 through January 31, 2009
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of
Cincinnati, June 17, 2008

The rescript 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 ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or
statements expressed.

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Tuesday, December 30, 2008

CHRISTMAS OR XMAS? - One Bread, One Body, 12/30/2008

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

1 John 2:12-17, Psalm 96, Luke 2:36-40
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/123008.shtml

CHRISTMAS OR XMAS?

"Bring gifts, and enter His courts; worship the Lord." —Psalm 96:8-9

We can have two kinds of Christmases — one real and the other fake. Anna
had a real Christmas. This eighty-four year old widow "was constantly in
the temple, worshiping day and night in fasting and prayer" (Lk 2:37).
"She gave thanks to God and talked about the Child" (Lk 2:38). Anna met
and loved Christ. Her Christmas and life were Christ-centered.

The fake Christmas is described as "carnal allurements, enticements for
the eye, the life of empty show" (1 Jn 2:16). This fake Christmas passes
away. It leaves its victims self-centered, empty, and unprepared to deal
with the demands of life and the new year. This fake Christmas prevents us
from experiencing God the Father's love (1 Jn 2:15). It leaves us
spiritually bankrupt of love.

What if you've been deceived into celebrating the fake Christmas? What if
you've still not decided which Christmas you'll celebrate? You can repent
now. The Lord has called you to read this for that very reason. You don't
have to let the devil rob you of Christmas. There are still thirteen more
days remaining in the Christmas season in which you can meet and love
Jesus. You can live for Him. You can have a real Christmas.

Prayer: Father, may I "have no love for the world, nor the things that the
world affords" (1 Jn 2:15).

Promise: "The man who does God's will endures forever." —1 Jn 2:17

Praise: At age 99, Mary still lives a Christ-centered life by attending
daily Mass at her nursing home.

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eBook edition, and an online donation form at
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Monday, December 29, 2008

HIS BIRTH AND OUR DEATHS - One Bread, One Body, 12/29/2008

Monday, December 29, 2008, St. Thomas Becket

1 John 2:3-11, Psalm 96, Luke 2:22-35
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/122908.shtml

HIS BIRTH AND OUR DEATHS

"Now, Master, You can dismiss Your servant in peace." —Luke 2:29

Simeon told the Lord, His Master, that he was ready to die now that he had
seen Jesus alive. This points out the connection between our deaths and
Jesus' birth. The Church emphasizes this connection by celebrating the
deaths of Thomas Becket today, the Holy Innocents yesterday, and Stephen
on the second day of Christmas.

Jesus' birth and our deaths go together because Jesus has revealed to us
that our deaths are births into the eternal life of heaven. Death is not
the end of life, but the end of earthly limitations on life. "Now we see
indistinctly, as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. My knowledge
is imperfect now; then I shall know even as I am known" (1 Cor 13:12).

Death in Jesus is the birth into perfect life — a life greater than we can
ever see, hear, or conceptualize (1 Cor 2:9). Our earthly life is
comparable to being in the womb. In the womb, we are truly human beings;
we can experience God (see Lk 1:41); we can know love, be nourished, and
grow. However, when we are born, a whole new world opens up for us. Death
is the birth by which we are transferred from the womb of earthly life to
the light of heavenly life. We know this because we know Life itself,
Jesus Christ, the Baby born at Bethlehem.

Prayer: Father, may I not abort myself by sin.

Promise: "The darkness is over and the real light begins to shine." —1 Jn
2:8

Praise: For love of God, St. Thomas endured exile, many trials, and
ultimately death at the foot of the same altar at which he had offered
Mass for years.

(For a related teaching, order our tape "Am I Going to Heaven?" on audio
AV 54-3 or video B-54.)

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eBook edition, and an online donation form at
http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp

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Sunday, December 28, 2008

PM eNewsletter The Holy Family

Dec. 28th, The Holy Family

Jesus, so many times we have trusted others, and have
been hurt, but yet, we look at the Holy Family, and see
nothing but trust.

We see a poor family that had to flee to Egypt to save
the saviour of the world.

We see a family that did what it had to do to wait out
the fullfillment of the promised messiah.

We see a family that faced the lose of a father and husband.

We see a mom who had to let her son go, in spite of
the fact that He was her only child.

We see trust, we see love, and because of that, we
see the fulfillment of Your marvelous plan of salvation
for us all.

Thank You God. Amen and Amen

Thank you Lord, for loving us totally.
________________________________________________

For more on the teachings of Father Al Lauer see the home
page of Presentation Ministries? Please take a look.
http://presentationministries.com/home/home.asp

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One Bread, One Body

This weeks readings and reflections

Sunday THE REAL THING
http://presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp?d=12/28/2008

"He came to the temple now, inspired by the Spirit, and
when the parents brought in the Child Jesus to perform
for Him the customary ritual of the law, he took Him in
his arms and blessed God." —Luke 2:27-28

Some orthodox Jews have the custom of using the birth
of a baby boy as an occasion to discourse on the
coming of the Messiah. An older relative traditionally
starts the conversation with the question: "Could this
baby be the Messiah?" Then various relatives wax
eloquently about the coming and the glories of the
Messiah.

Some people may have thought that Simeon and Anna
were only engaging in this traditional conversation when
they were talking about the Child Jesus "to all who
looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem" (Lk 2:38).
Simeon and Anna may have then even more vehemently
insisted that Jesus was "a revealing Light to the Gentiles,
the Glory"of Israel (Lk 2:32). But people may have thought
this was part of the game. Then Simeon and Anna would
have tried to tell them this wasn't a game, but the real
thing. This Baby was the Messiah!

We face a similar situation in our day. When we proclaim
Jesus as Messiah and Lord, people think this is merely
the religious game and the standard church-talk. Yet we,
like Simeon and Anna, must be filled with the Holy Spirit
and proclaim that this is the real thing. Jesus is the
Messiah. Christmas is real. God has become a man.
We are saved. Jesus is Lord and God.

Monday HIS BIRTH AND OUR DEATHS
http://presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp?d=12/29/2008
"Now, Master, You can dismiss Your servant in peace." —Luke 2:29

Tuesday CHRISTMAS OR XMAS?
http://presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp?d=12/30/2008
"Bring gifts, and enter His courts; worship the Lord." —Psalm 96:8-9

For more readings and inspiration from
Presentation Ministries, check us out at
http://presentationministries.com/home/home.asp

Share an OBOB e-mail with a friend today! It's easy
and quick and it will make Jesus smile!
http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obobDriveEmail.asp
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Brochures

" Over 90 Biblically based brochures. Many on topics
you don't usually hear addressed."

This Week's Featured Brochures

· Your Christmas Present: The Psalms
http://presentationministries.com/brochures/ChristmasPsalms.asp

· The Truth Will Set You Free
http://presentationministries.com/brochures/TruthSetFree.asp

· An Isaiah Advent
http://presentationministries.com/brochures/AnIsaiahAdvent.asp

· Seek First the Kingdom
http://presentationministries.com/brochures/SeekFirst.asp

· Ten Commandments of Intercession
http://presentationministries.com/brochures/Intercession.asp

· Healing the Family Tree
http://presentationministries.com/brochures/HealFamTree.asp

View All Brochures
http://www.presentationministries.com/brochures/brochures.asp
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PM Internet Prayer Requests
http://www.presentationministries.com/prayer/prayer.asp

Please pray for me that my cancer does not return, and
that i can find the courage to leave an abusive husband.
(L.F., Cornwall, New York, United States, 12/27/2008 10:24:44 AM)

I am asking Please to pray for my grand-daughter,
Desiree, who is in need of prayer. She is Bipolar and
decided that she hates her life, so took a bunch of
pills --------- Pray that all works out for her good. In
Jesus name I pray - Lord hear my prayer. Thank you
(Anonymous, A small town in NC, 12/27/2008 8:16:29 AM)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Jesus' name, please pray
that I myself will be able to get rid of all temptations.
God is good. Pray also for our pregnancy that the baby
will always be fine until the due time,next month.
Hoping that the twist of umbillcal cord in his neck will
be fine and doesn't harm the baby and mother. Thank
God that my sister's head is getting better, she has
migraine. Finally we are very grateful and thankful for
all your continuous prayers and thoughts.GBU.
(Yab&LLL, Malang, East Java, Indonesia, 12/27/2008 3:05:43 AM)

Please pray for Jesus to intercede in my sister's life:
To expose Satan for what he is.
(L.B., Tampa, FL, United States, 12/26/2008 9:06:09 PM)

Please pray for clarity when it comes to my next weeks
work Schedule. Praise God I got Sunday off to visit with
family. Pray for my managers: Darrell, Troy, Jack,
Rachel, and Ira. They look like they have been having
a rough time. Pray for all singles during the hollidays-
Two in my singles class need prayer-Suzanne and Lisa.
Pray for me a good day at work tomorrow and that we
don't get out late.
(S., Gunter, Kennesaw, United States, 12/26/2008 8:08:21 PM)

Praise God for all your prayers. Mike is home from
the hospital. He was diagniosed with phnuemonia.
He will undergo further tests. Thank you Prayer Warriors
for your prayers.
(D., 12/26/2008 7:52:10 PM)

My son, DE, thinks his job will end this week. He is
behind in his house payments and all he says I catch
up at tax time. He makes good money and their is no
reason for him to be late. He whines my wife won't
help me. Please let him continue to work and make
his house payments. I just paid 3 mos. worth and I'm
slowly running out of money and tired of his
irresponsibilty.
(C., Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, 12/26/2008 7:37:28 PM)

Please pray for my mom and brother David, they
both are in need of mental and emotional healing
also, my brother is in poor health and does not take
care of himself Thank You1 Daniel P.
(D.P., Lorain, Ohio, United States, 12/26/2008 6:17:51 PM)

For strength and courage to bear the many crosses
of my family
(E.M., Alpine, Texas, United States, 12/26/2008 4:10:38 PM)

Please follow link to additional prayer intentions.
http://www.presentationministries.com/prayer/prayer.asp
________________________________________________

MP3 4 You

The internet ministry for PM is highlighting our
downloadable tapes online. The Gospels of Matthew,
Mark, Luke and John are featured as well as The Acts
of the Apostles Part 1 thru 4, 1 Corinthians Part 1 & 2
and Romans Parts 1-3. Take a moment and check
the link below
http://presentationministries.com/tapes/tape.asp?pubID=269
________________________________________________

Small Christian Communities

We believe the Lord is calling us to build hundreds of more
communities by raising up leaders who will form communities

PM's Small Christian Community Network
Learn about the Communities in our Network
http://presentationministries.com/community/hbcNetwork.asp

Small Christian Community Resources
Introduction to Small Christian Community
http://presentationministries.com/brochures/IntroCommunity.asp

"Unless the Lord Build the House..." — Psalm 127:
http://presentationministries.com/brochures/UnlessTheLordBuild.asp

Building Small Christian Communities (Team Manual)
http://presentationministries.com/brochures/CommunityManual.asp

Building Small Christian Communities (Guide Book)
http://presentationministries.com/brochures/CommunityGuidebook.asp

For more information contact: community@presentationministries.com
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Listen Online!

Inspired teaching on the daily Scripture readings of the
Catholic Church by Fr. Al Lauer

Best of Daily Bread Radio Program
http://www.presentationministries.com/dbread/dbread.asp
________________________________________________

Pope Benedict XVI, Shepherd of Truth

Notable quotations from Pope Benedict XVI and official
teachings of the Roman Catholic Church

THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

TURN TO MARY

I would like to say, humbly, to those who suffer and to
those who struggle and are tempted to turn their backs
on life: turn towards Mary! Within the smile of the Virgin
lies mysteriously hidden the strength to fight against
sick and for life. With her, equally, is found the grace to
accept without fear or bitterness to leave this world at
the hour chosen by God.

RICH IN FAITH

To seek this smile of the Virgin Mary ... is the
aspiration ,,, of those who are "the richest of the
people" (Ps 44:13). "The richest" ... in the order of
faith, those who have attained the highest degree
of spiritual maturity and know precisely how to
acknowledge their weakness and their poverty
before God.

"JOY AND GLORY"

Today Mary dwells in the joy and the glory of the
Resurrection. The tears shed at the foot of the
Cross have been transformed into a smile which
nothing can wipe away, even as her maternal
compassion towards us remains unchanged.

(Source: Homily, Mass for the Sick, 9/15/08, Lourdes, France)
http://presentationministries.com/BST/bst2008-12.asp?navlink=latest
________________________________________________

PM Ministry List

" The Lord works through PM in many different ways.
Below you can find information about some of our ministries.

Bible Institute
http://presentationministries.com/bibleinst/bi2005Home.asp

Word Gifts Ministry
http://presentationministries.com/general/prophecies.asp
________________________________________________

2008 RETREATS
Online Registration

2008 RETREATS

· Co-Workers' Retreat ~ Focus on St. Paul (Jan 30-31)
· "Seek First The Kingdom of God" (Feb 27-28)
· Women's Retreat (Mar 28)

http://presentationministries.com/pjdc/retreatSchedule.asp
________________________________________________

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THE REAL THING - One Bread, One Body, 12/28/2008

The December issue of My People Newspaper is now online. Articles
include:

United Effort Required to Meet Food Crisis
Pius XII: A Mon Of Peace And Courage
In Defense of Life: Unleashing Love
Catholics, Muslims Dialogue
Light to the Nations: A Christian Perspective on World News
New Church Groups Are a Precious Resource

http://www.presentationministries.com/mypeople/latestMyPeople.asp
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Sunday, December 28, 2008, Holy Family

Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3, Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19, Psalm 105:1-4, 6-9,
Luke 2:22-40
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/122808.shtml

THE REAL THING

"He came to the temple now, inspired by the Spirit, and when the parents
brought in the Child Jesus to perform for Him the customary ritual of the
law, he took Him in his arms and blessed God." —Luke 2:27-28

Some orthodox Jews have the custom of using the birth of a baby boy as an
occasion to discourse on the coming of the Messiah. An older relative
traditionally starts the conversation with the question: "Could this baby
be the Messiah?" Then various relatives wax eloquently about the coming
and the glories of the Messiah.

Some people may have thought that Simeon and Anna were only engaging in
this traditional conversation when they were talking about the Child Jesus
"to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem" (Lk 2:38).
Simeon and Anna may have then even more vehemently insisted that Jesus was
"a revealing Light to the Gentiles, the Glory"of Israel (Lk 2:32). But
people may have thought this was part of the game. Then Simeon and Anna
would have tried to tell them this wasn't a game, but the real thing. This
Baby was the Messiah!

We face a similar situation in our day. When we proclaim Jesus as Messiah
and Lord, people think this is merely the religious game and the standard
church-talk. Yet we, like Simeon and Anna, must be filled with the Holy
Spirit and proclaim that this is the real thing. Jesus is the Messiah.
Christmas is real. God has become a man. We are saved. Jesus is Lord and
God.

Prayer: Father, may our family life be so holy that it shouts that Jesus
is the Messiah.

Promise: "He remembers forever His covenant which He made binding for a
thousand generations." —Ps 105:8

Praise: Praise Jesus, Who humbled Himself to become a son in a human
family!

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

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/obob/obob.asp

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39531b

EXO-3A5D5CE6

Saturday, December 27, 2008

BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS - One Bread, One Body, 12/27/2008

The December issue of My People Newspaper is now online. Articles
include:

http://www.presentationministries.com/mypeople/latestMyPeople.asp
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Saturday, December 27, 2008, St. John

1 John 1:1-4, Psalm 97, John 20:1, 2-8
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/122708.shtml

BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS

"Then the disciple who had arrived first at the tomb went in. He saw and
believed." —John 20:8

"The other disciple (the one Jesus loved)" (Jn 20:2), not only ran to
Jesus' tomb faster than Peter, but also believed faster. However, Mary
Magdalene was faster than either Peter or John. She ran to them before
they ran to the tomb (Jn 20:2). She was the first one mentioned by the
Gospels as having met the risen Christ and having expressed faith in Him.
We can have "fast faith" as Mary Magdalene did.

When we love someone, we want him or her to accept our love as soon as
possible. Jesus is no different. He wants us to believe in His love for us
right away. He wants us to grow in our love for Him in an accelerated way.
He wants to deepen our love for Him very quickly in the next two weeks of
the Christmas season.

Christmas celebrates the time when human beings could first touch, kiss,
hold, feel, see, and hear Jesus physically (see 1 Jn 1:1-2). This physical
contact with Jesus made possible a deep, personal relationship with Him.
We did not lose this when Jesus physically ascended into heaven. By the
Holy Spirit and through the Eucharist, we now have even greater
opportunities for a close, personal relationship with Jesus! This
Christmas season, grow quickly in a deep, intimate love for Jesus.

Prayer: Father, may my personal relationship with You through Jesus grow
by leaps and bounds this Christmas season.

Promise: "Indeed, our purpose in writing you this is that our joy may be
complete." —1 Jn 1:4

Praise: "It is the Lord!" (Jn 21:7)

(For a related teaching, order our tape "Jesus' Incarnation "on audio AV
52-3 or video V-52.)

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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/obob/obob.asp

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