WHAT IS FAITH? - One Bread, One Body, 01/28/2023

Saturday, January 28, 2023, St. Thomas Aquinas

Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19
Luke 1:69-75
Mark 4:35-41

View Readings

WHAT IS FAITH?
"Faith is confident assurance concerning what we hope for, and conviction about things we do not see." —Hebrews 11:1

We are saved by grace through faith (Eph 2:8). “All depends on faith, everything is grace” (Rm 4:16). Therefore, faith in the Lord is absolutely necessary. However, this presents a problem because we are lacking in faith (see Mk 4:40). Jesus asks: “When the Son of Man comes, will He find any faith on the earth?” (Lk 18:8) We must cry out to the Lord: “I do believe! Help my unbelief!” (Mk 9:24, RNAB)  “Faith is confident assurance” (Heb 11:1). It is a solid, substantial assurance of security, stability, affirmation, and unconditional love. We can rest assured, for the Lord is our Rock (see Ps 18:3) and our Abba (see Mt 6:9; Gal 4:6). We are securely held in His loving arms.

Faith is the result of a very good relationship. To have such substantial, confident assurance of God’s love, we must truly and deeply know the Lord. Jesus taught and prayed: “Eternal life is this: to know You, the only true God, and Him Whom You have sent, Jesus Christ” (Jn 17:3). St. Paul prayed: “I wish to know Christ” (Phil 3:10). We too should pray to know God so as to have faith in Him.

Prayer: Father, may my love for You result in faith in You. May this faith cause me to experience the "breadth and length and height and depth of Christ's love" (Eph 3:18). May this deeper love result in deeper faith.

Promise: "All of these died in faith." —Heb 11:13

Praise: St. Thomas Aquinas wrote: "Faith is said to be beyond reason, not because faith does not involve an act of reason, but rather because the reason involved in faith cannot lead one to see the things which pertain to faith."

(For a related teaching on Hold Fast to the Faith, listen to, download or order our CD 71-1 or DVD 71 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 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.

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

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

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

Copyright © Presentation Ministries

To add your e-mail address to this list go to https://www.presentationministries.com/subscribe/email

To remove your e-mail address from this list, click here..

CAN GOD SPEAK TO YOU INDIRECTLY? - One Bread, One Body, 01/27/2023

Friday, January 27, 2023, St. Angela Merici

Hebrews 10:32-39
Psalm 37:3-6, 23-24, 39-40
Mark 4:26-34

View Readings

CAN GOD SPEAK TO YOU INDIRECTLY?
"To [the crowds] He spoke only by way of parable, while He kept explaining things privately to His disciples." —Mark 4:34

Note that in the Gospels Jesus explained the mysteries not to all, but particularly to His apostles (Mk 4:34). Today, the successors of the apostles are the Pope and the bishops (see Catechism of the Catholic Church, 861-862; Acts 1:20-26). It is critical that we recognize this pattern. Jesus speaks to His Church and through His Church. If we really want to know what Jesus is saying, we must listen to the Church, for Jesus said: “If they hear you, then they are hearing Me. If they reject you, they are rejecting Me” (see Lk 10:16).

Jesus expects us to search out the meaning of His revelation both by a direct seeking of the truth of His Word personally, but also by listening to those to whom He chose to reveal a deeper meaning. Jesus revealed some truths to the apostles only and not to the world (Jn 14:22; see also Mt 13:10-11). Jesus once took to task those who would not listen to His special witnesses (Mk 16:14). He does not want us to turn away from Him due to the stubbornness of wanting to hear Him speak to us directly.

Naaman the Syrian once was upset because He wanted God’s prophet to speak to him directly, face to face (2 Kgs 5:11). God did speak His truth to Naaman, but indirectly, through a simple messenger. Naaman repented of his anger, listened to the messenger, obeyed the message, and received healing and truth. Will you listen to God if He speaks to you through others?

Prayer: Father, give me "ears open to obedience" to hear Your message (Ps 40:7).

Promise: "You need patience to do God's will and receive what He has promised." —Heb 10:36

Praise: St. Angela Merici founded the Ursuline religious order, which focuses primarily on the education and Christian formation of girls. She was canonized by Pope Pius VII in 1807.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Copyright © Presentation Ministries

To add your e-mail address to this list go to https://www.presentationministries.com/subscribe/email

To remove your e-mail address from this list, click here..

WHICH DESIRE CONSUMES YOU? - One Bread, One Body, 01/26/2023

Thursday, January 26, 2023, Sts. Timothy & Titus

2 Timothy 1:1-8 or
Titus 1:1-5
Psalm 96:1-3, 7-8, 10
Mark 4:21-25
View Readings

WHICH DESIRE CONSUMES YOU?
"I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God bestowed when my hands were laid on you. The Spirit God has given us is no cowardly Spirit, but rather One that makes us strong, loving, and wise." —2 Timothy 1:6-7

Most of us reading this are baptized and confirmed. Therefore, we already have the Holy Spirit living in us (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1303). This indwelling of the Spirit should make us ever more desirous to receive the Spirit in new and deeper ways, since the Spirit always seeks deeper union with the Father and the Son.

However, we could react to our present life in the Spirit by quenching any further desire for the Spirit (see 1 Thes 5:19). Thus, our attitude towards our Baptisms and Confirmations could be something like a vaccination, which makes us immune to the fullness of the Holy Spirit. We must resist sloth and apathy and instead stir into flame the gift of the Holy Spirit (2 Tm 1:6-7). In this way, the Spirit will renew the face of the earth (Ps 104:30), starting with us.

Do you want a deeper life in the Spirit more than you want anything else? Do you want the Spirit fully blazing in your life more than you want to breathe? Would you pray in an upper room for nine days to receive the Spirit more powerfully? (Acts 1:13ff)Would you suffer to receive and to share the Spirit in Pentecost after Pentecost? Pray to have a strong, consuming desire for the fullness of the Spirit. Ask God the Father for the Holy Spirit (Lk 11:13). “Receive the Holy Spirit” (Jn 20:22).

Prayer: Jesus, be Lord and the Center of my desires.

Promise: "With the strength which comes from God bear your share of the hardship which the gospel entails." —2 Tm 1:8

Praise: St. Titus encouraged and enabled the ministry of others, including that of St. Paul (see 2 Cor 2:13; 7:6-7).

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Copyright © Presentation Ministries

To add your e-mail address to this list go to https://www.presentationministries.com/subscribe/email

To remove your e-mail address from this list, click here..

THE NEWS-PAPER - One Bread, One Body, 01/25/2023

Wednesday, January 25, 2023, Conversion of St. Paul

Acts 22:3-16 or
Acts 9:1-22
Psalm 117:1-2
Mark 16:15-18

View Readings

THE NEWS-PAPER
"Go into the whole world and proclaim the good news to all creation." —Mark 16:15

If we believe in the Good News of Jesus and accept Baptism, we will be saved (Mk 16:16). If we refuse to believe, we will be condemned in hell forever (see Mk 16:16; Jn 5:27-29). Believing in Jesus’ Good News is the most important reality of our lives. Believing the Good News is so important that:

• If we’ve done everything but believe the Good News, our lives are tragic and damnable.
• The Lord works amazing signs to accompany the proclamation of the Good News (Mk 16:17, 20).
• The Lord knocked Saul to the ground with a flash of light to convert him from opposing the Good News to preaching it (see Acts 9:3-4; Gal 1:23).
• The Lord calls some people to give their whole lives to proclaiming the Good News (see Mt 19:12).
• The Lord has called several people to work full-time, for free, for years to proclaim the Good News through Presentation Ministries and this book, One Bread, One Body.

On this celebration of the conversion of St. Paul, we thank the Lord for the Good News and for those who have given their lives to proclaim the Good News in any way, especially in One Bread, One Body. Thank you.

Prayer: Father, may "I do all that I do for the sake of the gospel" (1 Cor 9:23).

Promise: "Why delay, then? Be baptized at once and wash away your sins as you call upon His name." —Acts 22:16

Praise: "Last of all He was seen by me, as one born out of the normal course" (1 Cor 15:8). Lord Jesus, thank You for calling St. Paul to diligently work in the Father's vineyard.

(For a related teaching on Conversion-Conversations, 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 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.

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

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

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

Copyright © Presentation Ministries

To add your e-mail address to this list go to https://www.presentationministries.com/subscribe/email

To remove your e-mail address from this list, click here..

FAMILY TRANSPLANT - One Bread, One Body, 01/24/2023

Tuesday, January 24, 2023, St. Francis de Sales

Hebrews 10:1-10
Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-8, 10-11
Mark 3:31-35

View Readings

FAMILY TRANSPLANT
"Whoever does the will of God is brother and sister and mother to Me." —Mark 3:35

Jesus said that He came for division, to divide a family three against two (Lk 12:52). He meant that some family members would receive Him while others would reject Him, at least for a time. For those who love Jesus and love their families, and yet have been rejected within their families because of their love for Jesus, there is great pain.

Yet Jesus offers the greatest consolation amidst this pain.Through our Baptism and by doing the will of God, we are adopted and transplanted into the family of God (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2782; Eph 1:5). We become a brother or sister of Jesus, a son or daughter of God the Father, united in love through the Holy Spirit. Praise be to the Holy Trinity forever! Our family meal is now the Mass, as we gather with the rest of our family at the table of the Lord to receive the Holy Eucharist.

In the meantime, continue to love your biological family and pray for them. Your love and prayers may not seem to be having any impact. It might even seem that your love and prayers are making the situation worse. Keep persevering anyway. Day by day, the Lord is working behind the scenes (Mk 4:26ff) to unite your family in Him, starting with you. Jesus is the stumbling Stone that smashes a family apart (Mt 21:44) and the Cornerstone upon Which the family is rebuilt (Mt 21:42; Ps 118:22; 1 Pt 2:7).

Prayer: "I have come to do Your will, O God" (Heb 10:7).

Promise: "By this 'will,' we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." —Heb 10:10

Praise: St. Francis de Sales pastored his flock with gentleness, patience, understanding, and great love.

(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(Lay people have an important role in the Church today. Attend our retreat on this topic Feb. 17-18 and get equipped to bring God's plan of Salvation to fulfillment. Call 513-373-2397 or e-mail retreats@presentationministries.com.)

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

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.

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

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

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

Copyright © Presentation Ministries

To add your e-mail address to this list go to https://www.presentationministries.com/subscribe/email

To remove your e-mail address from this list, click here..

THE BORDER OF BLASPHEMY - One Bread, One Body, 01/23/2023

Monday, January 23, 2023, St. Vincent
St. Marianne Cope

Hebrews 9:15, 24-28
Psalm 98:1-6
Mark 3:22-30

View Readings

THE BORDER OF BLASPHEMY
"Whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. He carries the guilt of his sin without end." —Mark 3:29

The scribes claimed that Jesus was possessed by a devil (Mk 3:30). This statement seems to be blasphemy against Jesus, but Jesus calls it blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Mk 3:29). Blaspheming Jesus is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit because the Holy Spirit bears witness on behalf of Jesus (Jn 15:26; 1 Jn 5:5-6; Rv 19:10). Therefore, if someone says Jesus is not Lord and God, they are saying the Holy Spirit, Who witnesses that Jesus is Lord and God (see 1 Cor 12:3), is not telling the truth and therefore isn’t God either.

To avoid blaspheming against the Holy Spirit, we must do more than keep our mouths shut. In a world where millions deny Jesus’ lordship and divinity, we “must bear witness as well” on behalf of Jesus (Jn 15:27). Otherwise, our silence will be deafening. By giving Jesus the “silent treatment,” we become anti-witnesses and are in league with the blasphemers, if not blasphemers ourselves.

If we let Him, the Holy Spirit will teach us on the spot how to witness for Jesus (Lk 12:12). If we refuse to learn, however, we border on blasphemy. Acknowledge Jesus before men and women (Lk 12:8). Publicly and vocally confess Jesus as Lord (Rm 10:9). Be with the Holy Spirit and not against Him.

Prayer: Father, may I speak out of the abundance of a purified heart (Lk 6:45).

Promise: "He will appear a second time not to take away sin but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him." —Heb 9:28

Praise: St. ("Mother") Marianne Cope was Superior General of her congregation in central New York. She and six of her religious sisters bravely journeyed to Hawaii in 1883 to serve those with leprosy.



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

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.

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

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

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

Copyright © Presentation Ministries

To add your e-mail address to this list go to https://www.presentationministries.com/subscribe/email

To remove your e-mail address from this list, click here..

NIGHT-LIGHT - One Bread, One Body, 01/22/2023

Sunday, January 22, 2023, Third Sunday Ordinary Time

Isaiah 8:23—9:3
1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17
Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14
Matthew 4:12-23
View Readings

NIGHT-LIGHT
"On those who inhabit a land overshadowed by death, light has arisen." —Matthew 4:16

In the northern hemisphere, it is gloomy and cloudy. The days are short and the nights are long. The newness of New Year’s resolutions has worn off, and it is very cold outside. In addition, spiritually speaking, the land is overshadowed by death (see Mt 4:16). Does this describe your life?

Then, suddenly, in the midst of this gloom, a bright light shines forth: the light of Christ. The Easter Vigil liturgy vividly conveys this image of darkness to light. Darkness and death are powerful forces; light and life are even more powerful. Often people in darkness don’t realize they are in darkness; they adjust to the darkness. It’s when the light appears that the contrast is evident; they then realize just how dark it really was. Focusing on this world can likewise darken our minds, and we are tempted to adjust our lives by incorporating a more worldly lifestyle. Thus our “light is darkness” (Mt 6:23).

People often prefer the darkness (Jn 3:19) and do not approach the light. But Isaiah proclaims that the light causes rejoicing (Is 9:1-2). Christ is the Light (Jn 8:12). Don’t put on “spiritual sunglasses” by living a worldly lifestyle and thus blotting out the light of Christ. Instead, walk toward the light (1 Jn 1:7) by a life of ever-deepening prayer, service and study.

Prayer: Father, help me make any lifestyle changes necessary to live in the light of the Lord.

Promise: "The Lord is my Light and my Salvation; whom should I fear?" —Ps 27:1

Praise: "Destroy this temple...and in three days I will raise it up" (Jn 2:19). Merciful Jesus, Your Resurrection is a precursor to our resurrection.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Copyright © Presentation Ministries

To add your e-mail address to this list go to https://www.presentationministries.com/subscribe/email

To remove your e-mail address from this list, click here..