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Friday, February 18, 2011

SKY-DIVING - One Bread, One Body, 2/18/2011

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Friday, February 18, 2011

Genesis 11:1-9, Psalm 33:10-15, Mark 8:34-9:1
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/021811.shtml

SKY-DIVING

"It was from that place that He scattered them all over the earth." -Genesis 11:9

We are divided, fragmented, even shattered. Even our divisions are divided and sub-divided. Our different languages, nationalities, and denominations have cut the human race and even the body of Christ into hundreds of thousands of pieces.

Pride is the cause of our divisions and divisiveness. Like the builders of the tower of Babel, we want to make a name for ourselves and make monuments to ourselves reaching high into the sky (see Gn 11:4). We want to be better, superior to others, to stand apart, that is, be divided (see Lk 18:9ff).

Jesus contradicts human pride. He made a name for Himself by dying on Calvary, and His monument in the sky was a cross. By the blood flowing from His crucified body, Jesus reconciles us and makes the two of us one (Col 1:20; Eph 2:14). As we deny ourselves and take up the cross (Mk 8:34), we possess "the one love, united in spirit and ideals" (Phil 2:2). In Jesus, we "never act out of rivalry or conceit" (Phil 2:3). "Let all parties think humbly of others as superior to themselves, each of you looking to others' interests rather than to his own. Your attitude must be that of Christ" (Phil 2:3-5).

Prayer: Father, may I die to self to bring about unity within the Church (see Jn 11:51-52).

Promise: "Whoever would preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will preserve it." -Mk 8:35

Praise: Robert now considers losing his job and his pension a blessing since it forced him to seek "higher things." He came to know Jesus as his Provider (Phil 4:19).

(Lent is approaching. To help you observe Lent more deeply, order our book, "Scriptural Stations of the Cross", and our leaflets "A Prophetic Lent, Lent and the Renewal of Our Baptismal Promises, The Secret of Fasting", and "The Secret of Confession".)

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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 February 1, 2011 through March 31, 2011
?Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July27, 2010

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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Thursday, February 17, 2011

BIRTH CONTROL OR SIN CONTROL? - One Bread, One Body, 2/17/2011

Try our Daily Bread radio program and listen to Fr. Lauer teach on the Mass readings for the day. You can listen online, download in MP3 format or subscribe to the podcast.

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Thursday, February 17, 2011, Founders of the Servites

Genesis 9:1-13, Psalm 102:16-21, 29, 22-23, Mark 8:27-33
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/021711.shtml

BIRTH CONTROL OR SIN CONTROL?

"Be fertile, then, and multiply; abound on earth and subdue it." -Genesis 9:7; see also Genesis 9:1

The first recorded words from God to humanity are: "Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it" (Gn 1:28). To make sure that humanity got the message, God repeated it two more times (Gn 9:1, 7). Sin then took advantage of humanity's fertility to transmit a fallen nature to every human being. Likewise, when our fertility seems to multiply our problems, many respond with birth control. We reason that less people means less problems for us who already have too many problems. However, the Lord responds to the multiplication of our problems not by shutting down our fertility, but by dealing with our real problem, sin. For example, the Lord tried to deal with our sinfulness through Noah's flood, while continuing to command us to be fertile and multiply.

We don't need birth control, but sin control. We don't even need temporary birth control while we delay dealing with our sins. This is only another excuse to put off repenting. We must repent of our sins now and go to Confession. The only way to control sin is to wash it away in the blood of Jesus. The only way to save our lives is to give our lives totally to the Lord (Mt 16:25). Then our fertility will be used to fill the earth with the Lord's love and life as we make disciples of all the nations (see Mt 28:19). Be fertile and multiply; repent of sins and fill the earth.

Prayer: Father, give many Christian couples the blessing of having large families.

Promise: "You are the Messiah!" -Mk 8:29

Praise: The seven founders of the Servites became saints by patterning themselves after Mary, whose Fruit was Jesus.

(For a related teaching, order our tape on "The Contraception of Society" on audio AV 67-1 or video V-67.)

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Wednesday, February 16, 2011

A RAVEN OR A DOVE? - One Bread, One Body, 2/16/2011

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

U.S. Bishops Decry Violence Against Christians
Religious Freedom, The Path To Peace
Vatican Clarifies Church's Teaching on Sexual Morality
Heritage Girls Provide Faith-Based Scouting
In Defense of Life: "The Very Future Of The World Is At Stake"

http://www.presentationministries.com/mypeople/latestMyPeople.asp
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Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Genesis 8:6-13, 20-22, Psalm 116:12-15, 18-19, Mark 8:22-26
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/021611.shtml

A RAVEN OR A DOVE?

"At the end of forty days Noah opened the hatch he had made in the ark, and he sent out a raven." -Genesis 8:6-7

If you are surrounded by the waters of destruction, you can be like the raven Noah sent out from the ark. You can fly back and forth over the waters (see Gn 8:7). However, you'll only wear yourself out and may get lost.

Instead, you can be like the dove Noah sent out. Even if the waters of destruction are still covering everything, you can at least return to the ark (see Gn 8:9). In the ark of the Church, you will be protected and be part of the new creation.

Possibly the waters of destruction are not covering everything in your life. You may find a few olive leaves above the waters. Pluck an olive leaf as a sign of hope, but return to the ark of the Church (see Gn 8:11).

Possibly the waters of destruction have receded in your life (see Gn 8:13). You can fly with the Holy Spirit. You can witness for Jesus (Acts 1:8), make disciples of all nations, and lead them to be baptized into the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Mt 28:19). You can go forth from the ark of the Church to lead people back into the Church of the new creation.

Be a dove; follow the dove of the Spirit as He works through the Church.

Prayer: Father, send the Holy Spirit to teach me how to live faithfully and powerfully in a world of sin, death, abortion, hatred, and violence.

Promise: "His sight was restored and he could see everything clearly." -Mk 8:25

Praise: Jacob broke free from being a cultural Catholic to being a Spirit-led Catholic.

(For a related teaching, order our tape "The Church in God's Plan" on audio AV 67-3 or video V-67.)

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Tuesday, February 15, 2011

UNDER THE INFLUENCE - One Bread, One Body, 2/15/2011

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

http://www.presentationministries.com/mypeople/latestMyPeople.asp
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Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Genesis 6:5-8; 7:1-5, 10, Psalm 29:1-4, 9-10, Mark 8:14-21
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/021511.shtml

UNDER THE INFLUENCE

"Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod." -Mark 8:15

I worked in a bakery long ago. The baker would break up a solid block of yeast into small crumbs. Next he painstakingly kneaded the crumbs of yeast all throughout the batch of dough. Then he set aside the dough on the baking table for a while "until the whole mass of dough began to rise" (Lk 13:21). It was amazing to watch such small crumbs of yeast cause the dough to rise so much. "A little yeast can affect the entire dough" (Gal 5:9).

Jesus told us to be on guard about what we allow to influence our lives (Mk 8:15). The secular culture constantly sprinkles its crumbs of yeast into our lives, such as:
* "If you're cool, you'll watch this movie." The sprinkling of immorality from the ungodly movie leads from shock to neutrality to a life of sin.
* "Stop going to Mass now that you're in college. Otherwise, no one will go out with you." That crumb of yeast leads to a lack of faith, sexual sin, and unfaithfulness.
* "Don't pray with your children. That's too boring for them. Let them decide for themselves about God when they grow up." This yeast leads to broken families and lost vocations.

Jesus says: "Be on your guard" (Mk 8:15). "Do you not know that a little yeast has its effect all through the dough? Get rid of the old yeast to make of yourselves fresh dough" (1 Cor 5:6-7). Let the unleavened bread of the Holy Eucharist be your bread. Receive the Eucharist frequently, even daily if possible. Toss out the yeast of the world. Let the Eucharist raise you up.

Prayer: Father, open my eyes so I may see how the world is trying to lead me away from You.

Promise: "The Lord is enthroned as King forever." -Ps 29:10

Praise: As Jean went to daily Mass more often, her desire for the Eucharist grew and grew.

(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)

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Monday, February 14, 2011

WALKING WITH A CAIN - One Bread, One Body, 2/14/2011

"Sickness and Suffering" is the title of the latest issue of Pope Benedict XVI, Shepherd of Truth.
--> http://www.presentationministries.com/BST/latestBST.asp

Pope Benedict XVI, Shepherd of Truth is designed as a bulletin insert which you can use at your local church to keep up to date on what the Holy Father is saying. You are free to reproduce it for this purpose.
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Monday, February 14, 2011, Sts. Cyril & Methodius

Genesis 4:1-15, 25, Psalm 50:1, 8, 16-17, 20-21, Mark 8:11-13
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/021411.shtml

WALKING WITH A CAIN

"She conceived and bore Cain, saying, 'I have produced a man with the help of the Lord.' " -Genesis 4:1

Cain killed his brother after becoming resentful, crestfallen, and alienated from his brother, God, and himself (Gn 4:5ff). The name "Cain" means "I have produced," but Cain's sin prevented the soil he tilled from producing (Gn 4:12). The man named "I have produced" couldn't produce. Cain lost the meaning of his name. He lost his identity and became "a restless wanderer" (Gn 4:14).

We have much in common with Cain. Ultimately, we have the same parents and the same fallen nature. Cain is our brother. Like Cain, we may be alienated from God, others, and ourselves. We have Cain inside us. The only way to get Cain out of us and to be reconciled with God rather than alienated from Him is to be born again, created anew (see Gal 6:15), begotten from above (Jn 3:3). We were freed from being like Cain, and we were saved by Jesus when we were baptized. Cain inside us was drowned in the waters of baptism, but we are repeatedly tempted to bring him to the surface. By faith, we must resist these temptations and live our baptized life.

We will either be like Cain or Jesus. We will be ministers of reconciliation with God (2 Cor 5:18) or alienated from God. We will produce abundantly for the Lord (Jn 15:5) or be spiritually barren. Be another Christ, not another Cain. Live your baptism.

Prayer: Father, may I live a radically new life. May I live my baptism.

Promise: "God has granted me more offspring in place of Abel." -Gn 4:25

Praise: Sts. Cyril and Methodius laid down their lives to bring unity and the gospel to the peoples of the Slavic nations.

(Help us continue our ministry of discipling souls for Christ. Call 937-587-5464 or 513-373-2397 to see how you can help.)

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Sunday, February 13, 2011

PM eNewsletter Sixth Sunday in ordinary time

February 13th Sixth Sunday in ordinary time

Jesus, during this ordinary time, please keep us from ever thinking that in You
any time is ordinary.

Lord, remind us that praise and glory to You, should be the main stay of our
existence.

We should constantly be amazed by the never ending love that You have for
all people.

Let us come to You in joyful adoration and sit and worship You as often as we
can.

Let us see You in others and help us spread the good news through our words
and actions.

Amen and Amen.

Thank you Lord, for loving us totally.
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For more on the teachings of Father Al Lauer see the home
page of Presentation Ministries? Please take a look.
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One Bread, One Body

This weeks readings and reflections

Sunday LIVING THE IMPOSSIBLE
http://presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp?d=2/13/2011

"I tell you, unless your holiness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees
you shall not enter the kingdom of God." -Matthew 5:20

Jesus has higher standards than anyone who has ever lived. He has the
highest standards for harmony in relationships (Mt 5:22), purity in sexuality
(Mt 5:28), faithfulness in marriage (Mt 5:32), truth in speech (Mt 5:34), and
love for enemies (Mt 5:39, 44). In Jesus, we don't just control our tempers
but crucify them (Gal 5:24). Jesus commands us to destroy our bodies rather
than look lustfully at someone else's body, and to divorce ourselves from
unforgiveness and sin rather than from our spouses. Jesus commands us to
express the truth rather than express our own agenda. We are to treat our
enemies even better than we treat our friends (see Lk 15:20ff).

Jesus' standards are intentionally impossible. Humanly speaking, we cannot
meet these standards, no matter how hard we try. To do so, we would have
to be born over again into new creatures. Jesus is not into self-improvement,
but self-denial. We're not concerned with behavior modification but rebirth.
We don't try to educate our old nature but drown it in the waters of baptism.
We're not trying to make ourselves better, but to let Him make us new.

Monday WALKING WITH A CAIN
http://presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp?d=2/14/2011

"She conceived and bore Cain, saying, 'I have produced a man with the help
of the Lord.' " -Genesis 4:1

Tuesday UNDER THE INFLUENCE
http://presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp?d=2/15/2011

"Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod." -Mark 8:15

For more readings and inspiration from Presentation Ministries,
check us out at
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Share an OBOB e-mail with a friend today! It's easy and
quick and it will make Jesus smile!
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This Week's Featured Brochures

Prayer & Devotions

Adoration and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
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Conversion Conversations
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Healing Adult Children from Dysfunctional Families
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Healing the Family Tree
http://presentationministries.com/brochures/HealFamTree.asp

Hope and Healing Through Aborted Children
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Life-Changing Prayers from the Bible
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for more on Prayers & Devotions
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PM Internet Prayer Requests
http://www.presentationministries.com/prayer/prayer.asp

Ron D. to recover from hip surgery
(Nick, sterling, VA, United States, 2/12/2011 8:30:23 PM)

Pray that the breast lump found in my daughter in law be a benign
and not a malignant one. She got a daughter who is barely over a year
old and her mother died of breast cancer.DADAThank you
(Minerva, New York, NY, United States, 2/12/2011 6:57:50 PM)

I ask that you pray for me and my husband, Steve. I have been
separated from my husband for almost 7 months. I miss him terribly. I
feel lost without him and I know he feels the same for me but we do
not know how to communicate. He has issues with control and
alcoholism. I want to go home to him and he wants me to come home
but I am afraid. Thank you...
(Anonymous, 2/12/2011 6:31:52 PM)

During this third Hour of Divine Mercy. Pray for the Intercession of
Our Blessed Mother, Our Lady Of Lourdes and through the
intercession of Saint Bernadette to heal and cure all who are sick
and suffering physically, spiritually, mentally, morally and
emotionally.Jesus I Trust in YOU!
(Ken, Texas, 2/12/2011 4:37:29 PM)

Dear brothers and sisters-in-Christ, please pray for my granddaughter
and her husbands' marriage. He is off on the weekend (as she has to
work) having fun with his "buddies" playing in the snow.He has turned
cold toward her, and I fear there may be another "woman". I pray that
this is not true. He is 26 yrs. old and they have a 3 yr. old child. I pray
that he is not cheating on her and he will "see the light" show her
more affection and make this marriage work, I pray in Jesus name,
amen
(very concerned grandmother, southern california, United States, 2/12/2011 3:03:51 PM)

Pls pray for divine intervention from sickle cell disease for my 8 year
old son, Marho Mamoh. He has had a tough childhood with frequent
hospital admissions. May God grant him good health and healing in
2011
(Tony, Lagos, Nigeria, 2/12/2011 3:01:07 PM)

I have an incurable virus that needs to be healed and haven't been
able to find work in a year. please pray that I'm healed and find work.
(J., New York, NY, United States, 2/12/2011 1:44:41 PM)

Please follow link to additional prayer intentions.
http://www.presentationministries.com/prayer/prayer.asp
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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 are The Acts of the Apostles Part 1 thru 4, 1
Corinthians Part 1 & 2, and Romans Parts 1-3. Also available,
many MP3 formatted Audio tapes of most epistles in the bible
and numerous 15 minute Bible studies by Fr. Al Lauer.

Take a moment and check the link below
http://presentationministries.com/tapes/tape.asp?pubID=269
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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
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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)
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For more information contact: community@presentationministries.com
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** Please check these listings as a number of changes have been made.**

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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
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Pope Benedict XVI, Shepherd of Truth
http://presentationministries.com/BST/bst2011-02.asp?navlink=latest

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

SICKNESS AND SUFFERING

"THE MYSTERY OF SUFFERING"

Every year on ... the memorial of the Blessed Virgin of Lourdes, which
is celebrated on February 11, the Church proposes the World Day of
the Sick. This event ... becomes a propitious occasion to reflect on the
mystery of suffering and above all to make our communities and civil
society more sensitive to our sick brothers and sisters.

"AT THE CENTER OF ATTENTION"

If every man is our brother, much more must the sick, the suffering and
those in need of care be, at the center of our attention, so that none of
them feels forgotten or emarginated.

(Source: Message for the 19th World Day of the Sick, issued 11/21/2010)

http://presentationministries.com/BST/bst2011-02.asp?navlink=latest
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" The Lord works through PM in many different ways. Below
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Bible Institute
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http://presentationministries.com/general/prophecies.asp
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Online Registration

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

· Bible Telephone Line
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· John Paul Speaks
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· My People Newspaper
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· PM Newsletter
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http://presentationministries.com/general/prophecies.asp

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LIVING THE IMPOSSIBLE - One Bread, One Body, 2/13/2011

"Sickness and Suffering" is the title of the latest issue of Pope Benedict XVI, Shepherd of Truth.
--> http://www.presentationministries.com/BST/latestBST.asp

Sunday, February 13, 2011, 6th Sunday Ordinary Time

Sirach 15:15-20, 1 Corinthians 2:6-10, Psalm 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34, Matthew 5:17-37
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/021311.shtml

LIVING THE IMPOSSIBLE

"I tell you, unless your holiness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees you shall not enter the kingdom of God." -Matthew 5:20

Jesus has higher standards than anyone who has ever lived. He has the highest standards for harmony in relationships (Mt 5:22), purity in sexuality (Mt 5:28), faithfulness in marriage (Mt 5:32), truth in speech (Mt 5:34), and love for enemies (Mt 5:39, 44). In Jesus, we don't just control our tempers but crucify them (Gal 5:24). Jesus commands us to destroy our bodies rather than look lustfully at someone else's body, and to divorce ourselves from unforgiveness and sin rather than from our spouses. Jesus commands us to express the truth rather than express our own agenda. We are to treat our enemies even better than we treat our friends (see Lk 15:20ff).

Jesus' standards are intentionally impossible. Humanly speaking, we cannot meet these standards, no matter how hard we try. To do so, we would have to be born over again into new creatures. Jesus is not into self-improvement, but self-denial. We're not concerned with behavior modification but rebirth. We don't try to educate our old nature but drown it in the waters of baptism. We're not trying to make ourselves better, but to let Him make us new.

Prayer: Father, by Your grace may I live the impossible and prove that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (Jn 14:6).

Promise: "Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it so much as dawned on man what God has prepared for those who love Him." -1 Cor 2:9

Praise: Praise Jesus, Whose impossible love has set us free!

(For a related teaching, order our leaflet "Be Holy, for I Am Holy".)

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