THE LAST SHALL BE FIRST - One Bread, One Body, 01/07/2023

Saturday, January 7, 2023, St. Raymond of Peñafort

1 John 5:14-21
Psalm 149:1-6, 9
John 2:1-11

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THE LAST SHALL BE FIRST
"Anyone who sees his brother sinning, if the sin is not deadly, should petition God, and thus life will be given to the sinner." —1 John 5:16

Many have not had Christmas because they have not repented of sin in their lives. We should petition the Lord for sinners and life will be given to them (1 Jn 5:16). Through the Lord’s forgiveness, they will be given Christmas just before the season ends. The devil thought he had robbed them of Christmas. However, by prayer, we rob the robber and give many people another opportunity for Christmas.

On this third last day of the Christmas season, go to Confession and invite others to join you. For so many, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is the key to Christmas. Many people are spiritually still in Advent. They need to obey St. John the Baptizer’s call to repent (Lk 3:3). We are called to be ministers of reconciliation, to encourage others to get the specks out of their eyes, after we have removed the planks from ours (Mt 7:5). The Lord has “entrusted the message of reconciliation to us. This makes us ambassadors for Christ, God as it were appealing through us. We implore you, in Christ’s name: be reconciled to God” (2 Cor 5:19-20).

Two days from now, on the last day of the Christmas season, let’s help others have their first day of Christmas by going down together into the waters of the Jordan and repenting of our sins.

Prayer: Father, give us a full Christmas even if we start Christmas on the last days of the season (Mt 20:14).

Promise: "The Lord loves His people, and He adorns the lowly with victory." —Ps 149:4

Praise: St. Raymond of Peñafort lived almost 100 years. His eventful life included studies in both civil and canon law, plus two years leading the Dominican Order. He was the pope's confessor and promoted the Sacrament of Reconciliation.



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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 1,2022 through January 31,2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio April 12, 2022"

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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VICTOR OR VICTIM? - One Bread, One Body, 01/06/2023

Friday, January 6, 2023, St. André Bessette

1 John 5:5-13
Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20
Mark 1:7-11
or Luke 3:23-38

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VICTOR OR VICTIM?
"Who, then, is conqueror of the world? The one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." —1 John 5:5

We are victors over the world or victims of the world. Only by faith in Jesus as God will we escape being victimized. Unless we pray to the Lord, we will become the prey of the world. Either Jesus runs our lives, or we are manipulated into running our lives into the ground, even into hell. By ourselves, we are unable to protect ourselves from unscrupulous, hateful demons. Of ourselves, our lives are necessarily out of control. Jesus is the only name by which we can be saved (Acts 4:12). He is our only Hope, but the only Hope we need.

Let us thank Jesus for becoming a man (see Jn 1:14), saving us, and being willing to take over our lives. He has saved us from the damning trap of supposedly doing our own thing (see Mt 1:21). As we near the end of the Christmas season, let us accept our privilege of surrendering totally our lives to Him. Only in this way will we escape being victimized and have eternal life (1 Jn 5:11-13). Thank You, Jesus our Savior!

Prayer: Father, on these last days of Christmas, do in me what You must in order to do through me what You will.

Promise: "The testimony is this: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son." —1 Jn 5:11

Praise: St. André Bessette became known as the "Miracle Man of Montreal" for his powerful intercession. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI canonized St. André on October 17, 2010.

(For a related teaching on Hope for the Hopeless, listen to, download or order our CD 63-1 or DVD 63 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 1,2022 through January 31,2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio April 12, 2022"

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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MIRACLE OF MIRACLES - One Bread, One Body, 01/05/2023

Thursday, January 5, 2023, St. John Neumann

1 John 3:11-21
Psalm 100:1-5
John 1:43-51

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MIRACLE OF MIRACLES
"That we have passed from death to life we know because we love the brothers. The man who does not love is among the living dead." —1 John 3:14

Throughout Advent, the Lord through His Word has promised us a miraculous Christmas. The blind would see, the lame walk, the deaf hear, and the dumb speak. Many of us may not have experienced such dramatic miracles this Christmas season.

Nonetheless, there’s another miracle that is even more dramatic and more important: the miracle of unconditional love, love for enemies, love for the unlovable. This is the ultimate miracle of the Christian life and of Christmas. When we are willing to lay down our lives in love (1 Jn 3:16) for prejudiced individuals, traitors, and murderers, we truly have received the miracle of Christmas, Calvary, and Christ. This proves we are sons and daughters of the heavenly Father (Mt 5:43-45) and proves we have had the real Christmas, because no one but the Father’s children can forgive and love the unlovable.

Think of your enemy or the person that has hurt you the most. Ask the Lord for His crucified love for that person to flow through you. Open your Christmas present of unconditional love.

Prayer: Jesus, may I respond to hate with love as You do.

Promise: "I solemnly assure you, you shall see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." —Jn 1:51

Praise: St. John Neumann was born in what is now the Czech Republic. No additional priests were needed in his diocese, so he emigrated to New York. Sixteen days after arriving he was ordained!

(For a related teaching on Love, listen to, download or order our CD 58-1 or DVD 58 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 1,2022 through January 31,2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio April 12, 2022"

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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A CLOSE CALL - One Bread, One Body, 01/04/2023

Wednesday, January 4, 2023, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

1 John 3:7-10
Psalm 98:1, 7-9
John 1:35-42

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A CLOSE CALL
"When Jesus turned around and noticed them following Him, He asked them, 'What are you looking for?' " —John 1:38

Andrew and another disciple of John the Baptizer followed Jesus from a distance. Likewise, today there are many long-distance followers of Jesus. Are you close to the Lord? Or are your prayers “smoke signals”?

Jesus has become a man. He even gives Himself to us in the Eucharist to be closer than close to us. He challenges us to look into our hearts and ask ourselves what we are looking for (Jn 1:38). Jesus, our Rabbi and Teacher (see Jn 1:38), will show us which of these desires are distancing us from Him. All we have to do is give ourselves the chance to hear the truth about our hearts from the Truth Himself (see Jn 2:25; 14:6). We must stay with Jesus for an extended time. We must not run away when He speaks of changing what we’re looking for, repenting of our sins, and taking up the cross daily (see Lk 9:23).

Jesus wants to give us a real “make-over,” to change our names (see Jn 1:42), our looks, and what we’re looking for. Jesus wants to draw us close to Himself. This Christmas and this new year, stay close to Jesus.

Prayer: Father, You drew close to me in the Incarnation of Your Son. May I draw close to You (Jas 4:8).

Promise: "It was to destroy the devil's works that the Son of God revealed Himself." —1 Jn 3:8

Praise: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was born to wealthy Episcopalian parents in New York City. After a visit to Rome, she felt called to fast and pray. The Holy Spirit led her into the Catholic Church only sixteen years before her death.

(Presentation Ministries' Discipleship Retreats equip you to imitate Christ in His character and mission. Visit our website www.presentationministries.com for more information on upcoming retreats.)

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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 1,2022 through January 31,2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio April 12, 2022"

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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“O HOLY NIGHT” - One Bread, One Body, 01/03/2023

Tuesday, January 3, 2023, Most Holy Name of Jesus

1 John 2:29—3:6
Psalm 98:1, 3-6
John 1:29-34
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"O HOLY NIGHT"
"If you consider the holiness that is His, you can be sure that everyone who acts in holiness has been begotten by Him." —1 John 2:29

One of the main purposes of the Christmas season is to grow in holiness — to become more like God, to take on God’s character. This holy Christmas time begins a holy year in a holy life, which begins a holy, eternal life. The Lord has created us to be holy as He is holy (see 1 Jn 3:3), to be “perfect in holiness” (1 Thes 5:23). We should “hunger and thirst for holiness” (Mt 5:6) and seek first God’s way of holiness (Mt 6:33). We must strive “for that holiness without which no one can see the Lord” (Heb 12:14).

The Lord expects “perfect” holiness from us because He has given us the power to become holy. Because we have been begotten by Him, that is, born again, by faith and Baptism (see Jn 3:3-5), we have a new nature by which we can live a holy life (1 Jn 2:29). Even if we fall into temptation and live according to our old sinful nature, we can repent and be washed clean in Jesus’ blood. Finally, the Father and the Son have given us the third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, Who makes us holy. Because of new life in the waters of Baptism, forgiveness through Jesus’ blood shed on Calvary, and the indwelling of the Spirit, the Lord expects us to be holy as He is holy. Have a holy Christmas season.

Prayer: Father, may my desire for holiness be stronger than my desire for pleasure.

Promise: "When you see the Spirit descend and rest on Someone, it is He Who is to baptize with the Holy Spirit." —Jn 1:33

Praise: "You have been washed, consecrated, justified in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God" (1 Cor 6:11). Thank You, Lord Jesus!

(Stir up the Holy Spirit in your life this Christmas. Listen to, download or order our CD 57-1 or DVD 57 titled Staying Filled with the Holy Spirit 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 1,2022 through January 31,2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio April 12, 2022"

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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FAITH-SHARING - One Bread, One Body, 01/02/2023

Monday, January 2, 2023, St. Basil the Great
St. Gregory Nazianzen

1 John 2:22-28
Psalm 98:1-4
John 1:19-28
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FAITH-SHARING
"I am 'a voice in the desert, crying out: Make straight the way of the Lord!' " —John 1:23

As we begin a new year, the Lord reminds us that people and even demons are lying in an attempt to deceive us (1 Jn 2:22, 26). If we fall for their deception, we will lose everything, that is, eternal life (see 1 Jn 2:25). This deception is focused on getting us to deny that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Savior of the world. Because Jesus is the only Way to the Father (Jn 14:6) and the only One Who baptizes in the Spirit (Jn 1:33; Mk 1:8), we must believe in Jesus as Lord, Savior, and God. Otherwise, we don’t rightly know God the Father (see 1 Jn 2:23) and the Spirit and thereby do not have eternal life (see Jn 17:3).

This means that Jews, Muslims, and people of other religions which do not accept Jesus as the Christ cannot know God the Father very well. These peoples walk in the darkness of a Christ-less life. This is not necessarily their fault. Pope St. Paul VI has taught: “It would be useful if every Christian and every evangelizer were to pray about the following thought: men can gain salvation also in other ways, by God’s mercy, even though we do not preach the Gospel to them; but as for us, can we gain salvation if...we fail to preach it?” (On Evangelization, 80) Christians, especially Catholic Christians, have an awesome responsibility to share their faith in Jesus. If we fail to try to share our faith, billions of people are condemned to the misery of a Christ-less existence and have much less opportunity to receive salvation in Christ. “When much has been given a man, much will be required of him. More will be asked of a man to whom more has been entrusted” (Lk 12:48).

This year, share your faith in Jesus as never before. Ask the Lord to help you. He will send the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit of love and evangelization!

Promise: "His anointing teaches you about all things and is true — free from any lie." —1 Jn 2:27

Praise: Sts. Basil and Gregory studied together in Athens.



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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 1,2022 through January 31,2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio April 12, 2022"

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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PEACEMAKING - One Bread, One Body, 01/01/2023

Sunday, January 1, 2023, Mary, Mother of God

Numbers 6:22-27
Galatians 4:4-7
Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8
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PEACEMAKING
"The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!" —Numbers 6:24-26

For almost fifty years, the popes have been calling us to devote this first day of the year to praying for peace and justice. Few Catholics have listened to the popes, and we have reaped the wages of our disobedience in war and death (see Rm 6:23).

May this New Year’s Day be new. May we obey and be peacemakers (see Mt 5:9). Mary, the queen of peace, is praying for her children to obey the pope, their spiritual father, and pray for peace. Mary is repeating her Fatima messages and calling for prayers and sacrifices offered for many conversions. When the Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, and secular humanists throughout the world also come to Jesus, then we will have true peace. We will have Jesus, our Peace (Eph 2:14). Then, after the whole world has been able to hear the Gospel (see Mt 24:14), Jesus will come back and take us home to heaven (1 Thes 4:16-17). There our prayers for peace will be answered perfectly. We will have perfect peace.

On the first Christmas, the angels sang: “Peace on earth; good will to men” (see Lk 2:14). Today pray for peace on earth, Christmas peace, “heavenly peace.”

Prayer: Father, I will pray with Mary in the upper room for a new Pentecost of peace (see Acts 1:14). May we "sleep in heavenly peace."

Promise: The shepherds "went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in the manger." —Lk 2:16

Praise: "The Virgin Mary, being obedient to His word, received from an angel the glad tidings that she would bear God" (Against Heresies, St. Irenaeus, Second Century).

(For a related teaching on Mother Mary, 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 December 1,2022 through January 31,2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio April 12, 2022"

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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