MERCY ON THE POOREST OF THE POOR - One Bread, One Body, 12/07/2021

Presentation Ministries need volunteers (no pay) to help translate the English version of the One Bread, One Body into Spanish.
If you are interested, please contact Jerry at (513) 659-9270 or email him at jerrycappel@fuse.net.

Tuesday, December 7, 2021, St. Ambrose

Isaiah 40:1-11
Psalm 96:1-3, 10-13
Matthew 18:12-14
View Readings

MERCY ON THE POOREST OF THE POOR
"It is no part of your heavenly Father's plan that a single one of these little ones shall ever come to grief." —Matthew 18:14

Over four billion people in the world don’t know Jesus. Most of these people have never had an opportunity to hear of Jesus’ crucified love and glorious Resurrection. They are the poorest people in the world. They have little chance for Christmas because they don’t know Christ or Mass. Most of the people of the world do not have a new nature in Christ. They are not as yet baptized sons and daughters of God. They have never received the Body and Blood of Jesus even once in Holy Communion. They are very poor.

Jesus’ heart is full of mercy (Mt 9:36) for all these people. “He wants all men to be saved and come to know the truth” (1 Tm 2:4). Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is always in search of the lost sheep (Mt 18:12). Jesus continues to pour out His mercy on good thieves about to die (Lk 23:43), prostitutes (Mt 21:32), demoniacs (see Lk 8:2), ferocious persecutors of His Church (Acts 9:18), and each one of us. Now is the season of mercy. Totally give your life to Jesus and invite as many people as possible to do the same (see 1 Cor 9:19). The season of mercy may be ending soon. Come to Jesus now.

Prayer: Father, I plead for Your mercy and salvation in Jesus.

Promise: "Though the grass withers and the flower wilts, the word of our God stands forever." —Is 40:8

Praise: St. Ambrose was a controversial bishop who stood up to the government and the Church. Some loved him, others hated him, but it was St. Ambrose who baptized St. Augustine.

(For help in seeking the lost sheep, read the Bible daily. For encouragement, listen to, download or order Ignorance of Scriptures is Ignorance of Christ on CD 82-1 or DVD 82 or How to Read the Bible on CD 46-3 or DVD 46 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 December 01/2021 through January 31, 2022 Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 5, 2021"

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 HOLY HIGHWAY HOME - One Bread, One Body, 12/06/2021

Presentation Ministries need volunteers (no pay) to help translate the English version of the One Bread, One Body into Spanish.
If you are interested, please contact Jerry at (513) 659-9270 or email him at jerrycappel@fuse.net.

Monday, December 6, 2021, St. Nicholas

Isaiah 35:1-10
Psalm 85:9-14
Luke 5:17-26
View Readings

THE HOLY HIGHWAY HOME
"A highway will be there, called the holy way." —Isaiah 35:8

Advent is like walking through a desert to escape from exile and return home. How will we survive walking hundreds of miles through the desert?

• “The desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe will rejoice and bloom” (Is 35:1).
• The Lord will “strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak” (Is 35:3).
• The Lord says “to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not!” (Is 35:4)
• “Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; then will the lame leap like a stag” (Is 35:5-6).
• “Then the tongue of the dumb will sing” (Is 35:6).
• “Streams will burst forth in the desert” (Is 35:6).

The Lord will do a series of miracles to free us from the exile and the paralysis due to our sins (see Lk 5:18ff). However, we must accept His grace and decide to be holy, for the highway out of the desolation of sin is “called the holy way” (Is 35:8). “It is for those with a journey to make, and on it the redeemed will walk” (Is 35:9). “They will meet with joy and gladness, sorrow and mourning will flee” (Is 35:10).

Let us leave sin behind and choose holiness. Let us walk on the holy way into the desert of Advent. There we will see many miracles and come home for Christmas.

Prayer: Father, in this Advent may my desire to be holy greatly intensify.

Promise: "Seeing their faith, Jesus said, 'My friend, your sins are forgiven you.' " —Lk 5:20

Praise: St. Nicholas has been the focal point of many legends. We know for certain he was the bishop of Myra in Asia Minor. He is renowned for his charity.



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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 December 01/2021 through January 31, 2022 Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 5, 2021"

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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COME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS - One Bread, One Body, 12/05/2021

Presentation Ministries need volunteers (no pay) to help translate the English version of the One Bread, One Body into Spanish.
If you are interested, please contact Jerry at (513) 659-9270 or email him at jerrycappel@fuse.net.

Sunday, December 5, 2021, Second Sunday of Advent

Baruch 5:1-9
Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11
Psalm 126:1-6
Luke 3:1-6

View Readings

COME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
"God will bring them back." —Baruch 5:6

Imagine your children being “led away on foot” by your enemies (Bar 5:6). Imagine your son handcuffed and led off to prison. What if your children were exiled in a foreign land and you would probably never see them again? This is similar to what the Jewish people went through at the Babylonian exile. About forty years later, Yahweh performed one of His greatest miracles. He freed the Jewish exiles, and they returned home.

The Church brings this to our attention because this Christmas the Lord wants to bring our children home to Him. He wants those imprisoned and exiled to repent of their sins and to come to Him this Christmas.

At this moment, some people are possibly entering into hell. They smell a rancid, putrid odor. They hear shrieks and howls. They are attacked and beaten by demons. They live in unimaginable pain and terror.

At this moment, some people are possibly entering into heaven. They are “borne aloft in glory as on royal thrones” (Bar 5:6). They are indescribably joyful (see 1 Pt 1:8) and radiant. They are being embraced by Jesus and by their family and friends who have died in Christ. They are perfectly happy forever.

Come home to Jesus for Christmas. It makes all the difference in the world — and beyond the world.

Prayer: Father, may I have an everlasting Christmas party in heaven with no one missing.

Promise: "All mankind shall see the salvation of God." —Lk 3:6

Praise: "He will destroy death forever. The Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces" (Is 25:8). Lord Jesus, we acknowledge and praise Your Resurrection. All praise and glory to our Risen Lord, Who always leads us on the path to glory.

(For a related teaching on Am I Going to Heaven?, listen to, download or order our CD 54-3 or DVD 54 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 December 01/2021 through January 31, 2022 Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 5, 2021"

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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AFTER THE MESSIAH COMES - One Bread, One Body, 12/04/2021

Presentation Ministries need volunteers (no pay) to help translate the English version of the One Bread, One Body into Spanish.
If you are interested, please contact Jerry at (513) 659-9270 or email him at jerrycappel@fuse.net.

Saturday, December 4, 2021, St. John of Damascus

Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26
Psalm 147:1-6
Matthew 9:35—10:1, 5-8
View Readings

AFTER THE MESSIAH COMES
"The reign of God is at hand." —Matthew 10:7

Isaiah prophesied that after the Messiah comes:

• “No more will you weep” (Is 30:19).
• “As soon as He (God) hears He will answer you” (Is 30:19).
• “The Lord will give you the bread you need and the water for which you thirst” (Is 30:20).
• “A voice shall sound in your ears: ‘This is the way; walk in it’ ” (Is 30:21).
• “He will give rain for the seed that you sow in the ground” (Is 30:23).
• “The wheat that the soil produces will be rich and abundant” (Is 30:23).
• “Upon every high mountain and lofty hill there will be streams of running water” (Is 30:25).
• “The light of the moon will be like that of the sun and the light of the sun will be seven times greater” (Is 30:26).
• The Lord will bind “up the wounds of His people” (Is 30:26).
• He will give His Church the authority to “cure the sick, raise the dead, heal the leprous, expel demons” (Mt 10:8).

The Messiah has come and is coming anew this Christmas season. This Christmas, Christ will do “more than we ask or imagine” (Eph 3:20). “Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it so much as dawned on man what God has prepared” this Christmas “for those who love Him” (1 Cor 2:9). Raise your expectations. Christmas is not merely recalling Christ’s past coming but meeting Christ personally here and now. “O come, divine Messiah!”

Prayer: Father, give me the faith to let You do all that You want.

Promise: "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." —Ps 147:3

Praise: St. John of Damascus had a strong devotion to the Blessed Mother. He was also an author and poet.



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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 December 01/2021 through January 31, 2022 Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 5, 2021"

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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“IN YOUR LIGHT WE SEE LIGHT” (Ps 36:10) - One Bread, One Body, 12/03/2021

Presentation Ministries need volunteers (no pay) to help translate the English version of the One Bread, One Body into Spanish.
If you are interested, please contact Jerry at (513) 659-9270 or email him at jerrycappel@fuse.net.

Friday, December 3, 2021, St. Francis Xavier

Isaiah 29:17-24
Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14
Matthew 9:27-31
View Readings

"IN YOUR LIGHT WE SEE LIGHT" (Ps 36:10)
"As Jesus moved on from there, two blind men came after Him crying out, 'Son of David, have pity on us!' " —Matthew 9:27

Among other things, Christmas is a celebration of Christ, the Light of the world (see Jn 1:5). But what if we cannot see the Light of life (Jn 8:12) and the Light of Christmas? We must be healed of our blindness this Advent. The Lord promises: “Out of gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see” (Is 29:18). Jesus will touch our eyes, and we will recover our sight (Mt 9:29-30). This happens when we by faith (see Mt 9:29) accept God’s grace to repent of our sins, which have blinded us to the Lord.

Imagine going through Christmas pretending you see the Christmas lights and candles. When others would remark on the beauty of the lights, you would pretend to agree but not have any idea what you were not seeing. So many people go through Christmas in an even worse condition. They use the word “Christmas” without seeing what it means. They see the manger scene with their physical eyes but are blinded to its significance. They sing “O come, let us adore Him,” but are blinded to the divinity of Christ, which makes Him adorable. We need an Advent healing from spiritual blindness to see and celebrate the Christmas light.

Jesus, You opened my eyes at Baptism. Touch my eyes and renew my Baptism to see You, the Light.

Prayer: Father, "I once was lost but now I'm found, was blind but now I see" (from the song "Amazing Grace").

Promise: "They shall keep My name holy; they shall reverence the Holy One of Jacob, and be in awe of the God of Israel. Those who err in spirit shall acquire understanding, and those who find fault shall receive instruction." —Is 29:23-24

Praise: St. Francis Xavier evangelized in Japan and India. He and St. Thérèse of Lisieux are co-patrons of the missions.

(For a related teaching on Spiritual Blindness, listen to, download or order our CD 65-1 or DVD 65 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 December 01/2021 through January 31, 2022 Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 5, 2021"

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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RELIGION AND SIN DON’T MIX - One Bread, One Body, 12/02/2021

Presentation Ministries need volunteers (no pay) to help translate the English version of the One Bread, One Body into Spanish.
If you are interested, please contact Jerry at (513) 659-9270 or email him at jerrycappel@fuse.net.

Thursday, December 2, 2021,

Isaiah 26:1-6
Psalm 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27
Matthew 7:21, 24-27
View Readings

RELIGION AND SIN DON'T MIX
Jesus said: "None of those who cry out, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of God but only the one who does the will of My Father in heaven." —Matthew 7:21

When we think of sinners, we think of atheists, agnostics, and those who scorn religion. These people are certainly sinners. Nevertheless, sinners also include religious people who cry out to God, “Lord, Lord,” but do not do His will (Mt 7:21). The first sinners, Adam and Eve, had a personal relationship with the Lord, for they walked with Him in the evening (see Gn 3:8). Cain, the first murderer, was jealous of his brother Abel over a religious matter (Gn 4:4ff). The high priests, Pharisees, and scribes who had Jesus crucified were very religious. Many of those who persecuted and executed early Christians claimed to be worshipping God (see Jn 16:2).

This is not to say that religion is bad. Indeed, religion is a “great gain” (1 Tm 6:6) as long as we do not approach our “religion only as a means of personal gain” (1 Tm 6:5)  and “make a pretense of religion but negate its power” (2 Tm 3:5).

As we prepare for Christmas, let us make sure that there will be no lip service (Mt 15:8), pretense, or hypocrisy in our Christmas. Rather than giving Christ the “silent treatment” this Christmas, let us totally give our lives to Jesus and be His witnesses. Have a religious, holy Christmas season.

Prayer: Father, make me ever more religious and obedient.

Promise: "Trust in the Lord forever! For the Lord is an eternal Rock." —Is 26:4

Praise: Joy was a cultural Catholic until she received the power of the Holy Spirit.

(To help prepare your heart for Christmas, consider receiving the sacrament of Confession. View, download or order our leaflet The Secret of Confession or listen to, download or order our CD 44-3 or DVD 44 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 December 01/2021 through January 31, 2022 Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 5, 2021"

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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PREPARING FOR THE AWESOME - One Bread, One Body, 12/01/2021

Presentation Ministries need volunteers (no pay) to help translate the English version of the One Bread, One Body into Spanish.
If you are interested, please contact Jerry at (513) 659-9270 or email him at jerrycappel@fuse.net.

Wednesday, December 1, 2021,

Isaiah 25:6-10
Psalm 23:1-6
Matthew 15:29-37
View Readings

PREPARING FOR THE AWESOME
"Behold our God, to Whom we looked to save us! This is the Lord for Whom we looked." —Isaiah 25:9

Christmas is Christ’s coming in the next few weeks in a new, powerful, and much needed way. Christmas is not just a remembrance; it is a present reality. Therefore, Christmas will soon be either one of the best things that has ever happened to us or a sadly missed opportunity.

When Christ comes this Christmastime, He will provide for us richly. Jesus will “destroy the veil” which keeps us in the dark, free us from the web “woven over all nations,” “destroy death forever,” “wipe away the tears from all faces,” and remove our reproach (Is 25:6-8). The Lord will apply His salvation to the practical details of our lives (Is 25:9). This Christmas, Jesus will especially cure “cripples, the deformed, the blind, the mute, and many others besides” (Mt 15:30). The Lord will take our inadequacies and miraculously multiply our very little to provide for the very many (see Mt 15:32ff).

Because Christmas is Christ’s coming in such power and glory, we are not ready to receive Him. Therefore, we must prepare to believe and receive Him more deeply by our repentance, discipline, penance, service, and evangelization during the Advent season. Because Christmas is so great, Advent is so needed. Prepare the way of the Lord (Lk 3:4).

Prayer: Father, prepare me for an unprecedented manifestation of Christ's glory this Christmas season.

Promise: "The result was great astonishment in the crowds as they beheld the mute speaking, the deformed made sound, cripples walking about, and the blind seeing. They glorified the God of Israel." —Mt 15:31

Praise: Charles' life changed forever when he finally let God in.



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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 December 01/2021 through January 31, 2022 Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 5, 2021"

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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