READY FOR CLIMATE PROBLEMS? - One Bread, One Body, 12/07/2023

Thursday, December 7, 2023, St. Ambrose

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

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READY FOR CLIMATE PROBLEMS?
"When the rainy season set in, the torrents came and the winds blew and buffeted his house." —Matthew 7:25

A flood came in the time of Noah. “In the days before the flood people were eating and drinking, marrying and being married, right up to the day Noah entered the ark. They were totally unconcerned until the flood came and destroyed them” (Mt 24:38-39). Only Noah was ready, for he had been listening to the Lord (Gn 7:1-5).

Jesus speaks of the “torrents” to come in the lives of each one of us (Mt 7:25, 27). These could be destroying floods (Gn 7:11ff), but they don’t have to be. Our very lives depend upon listening to the Lord and heeding His voice (Mt 7:21). If today we hear His voice, we must not harden or turn away our hearts (Ps 95:7-8). To survive these torrents, we must listen to Jesus’ words and change our lives to build them upon the rock-solid foundation of the Word of God, and on the Church Jesus founded on the rock of St. Peter (Mt 16:18).

People were not ready at the first coming of Christ (see Is 50:2). Scripture repeatedly warns us to be ready for His Second Coming (see e.g. Mt 24:42, 48-50). When should we be ready? “Now is the acceptable time!” (2 Cor 6:2) “Delay not your conversion to the Lord” (Sir 5:8). Listen daily to the Word of God.

Prayer: Father, may I take Your warnings in Scripture far more seriously than any other warnings.

Promise: "A nation of firm purpose You keep in peace; in peace, for its trust in You." —Is 26:3

Praise: St. Ambrose, referring to Scripture, wrote: "He who is full, refreshes others." Full of the Spirit himself, St. Ambrose refreshed St. Augustine greatly as Augustine converted from his sinful lifestyle to become a Doctor of the Catholic Church.

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

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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, 2023, through January 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 17, 2023"

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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THANKSGIVING EVERY DAY - One Bread, One Body, 12/06/2023

Wednesday, December 6, 2023, St. Nicholas

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

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THANKSGIVING EVERY DAY
"All ate until they were full." —Matthew 15:37

The Holy Eucharist appears basic and simple. It’s a food for those who are traveling light in order to escape slavery (Ex 12:11). The Eucharist is a small wafer of bread, not much larger than a potato chip. Yet it is rich and “juicy” (see Is 25:6ff). It “satisfies,” invigorates, revitalizes, fills, and enriches (see Mt 15:37). It is the food served at the heavenly wedding feast of the Lamb of God (Rv 19:9). It multiplies riches and graces.

In the USA, people gathered recently for rich Thanksgiving feasts. Yet the Eucharist, a word which literally means “thanksgiving,” is a far richer feast. It occurs every single day in the Holy Mass, and is far more abundant. The Eucharist is “life to the full” (see Jn 10:10).

Try to imagine eating a sumptuous Thanksgiving feast every single day! And yet the Eucharist is more than that. It is “the Source and Summit of the Christian life,” “the Body and Blood, together with the Soul and Divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ”  (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1324, 1374). Each day, we can gather at the table of God Almighty to receive this Bread from Heaven, the Bread of Life (Jn 6:31, 35). Therefore, rearrange your life so as to be able to receive the Eucharist as often as possible, even daily.

Prayer: Father, thank You forever for inviting me to share in Your family's daily meal, the Holy Eucharist. May I desire to receive the Bread of Life as deeply as You desire to share it (Lk 22:15).

Promise: "The Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines." —Is 25:6

Praise: St. Nicholas gave gifts that freed others from being trapped in sinful lifestyles and brought them closer to Christ.

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

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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, 2023, through January 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 17, 2023"

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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SEEDS OF HOPE - One Bread, One Body, 12/05/2023

Tuesday, December 5, 2023,

Isaiah 11:1-10
Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17
Luke 10:21-24

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SEEDS OF HOPE
"A Shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse." —Isaiah 11:1

Out of what appears to be a dead, hopeless situation, the Lord can cause new life to sprout and rise up (see Is 11:1). Your stump might be a broken family devastated beyond reconciliation, a ruined marriage without the possibility of reuniting, or a drug-addicted child whose mind and life seem beyond rebuilding. You look at the mess and you see a dead stump. How can any life come out of this death?

David’s kingdom was splintered after his son Solomon died. The Northern Kingdom of Israel was defeated and irretrievably lost. All that remained was the tribe of Judah. All God’s promises for His people seemed lost forever. Yet out of that small remnant, a Shoot sprouted (Is 11:1) and the Messiah came forth: Jesus Christ, Son of David, King of Israel, Messiah, Lord, and God.

The Advent Scriptures proclaim that though we see a lifeless wasteland, God sees abundant life (Is 35:1, 7). We see a landscape “parched, lifeless and without water” (Ps 63:2), but God sees rivers and luxuriant trees (see Is 41:18-19). We see devastation; God sees the seeds of new life. Walk by faith, not by sight (2 Cor 5:7). Let your heart dare to hope. Believe the Advent Scriptures.

Prayer: Father, I kneel in awe at Your merciful plan of salvation. How great is Your love; how deep are Your designs. I offer myself to You as Your servant to bring this Good News to many.

Promise: "Blest are the eyes that see what you see." —Lk 10:23

Praise: Within a few weeks of moving into his retirement complex, Martin started a Bible study for his fellow residents.

(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(As the New Year approaches, don't forget the Lord in your resolutions. Plan to spend time at our retreat center in beautiful Adams County, Ohio. Check out our website www.presentationministries.com for upcoming retreats or consider a silent retreat.)

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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, 2023, through January 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 17, 2023"

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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“FEED MY SHEEP” (Jn 21:17) - One Bread, One Body, 12/04/2023

Monday, December 4, 2023, St. John of Damascus

Isaiah 2:1-5
Psalm 122:1-9
Matthew 8:5-11

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"FEED MY SHEEP" (Jn 21:17)
"In days to come, the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills. All nations shall stream toward it; many peoples shall come and say: 'Come, let us climb the Lord's mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, that He may instruct us in His ways, and we may walk in His paths.' " —Isaiah 2:2-3

Today, many stream toward shopping malls and online retailers, saying, “Come, let us finish our Christmas shopping” (cp Is 2:3). Many merchants hear this call and have answered it, setting up shop to supply the consumer demand. We at Presentation Ministries follow a different call: to provide Scriptural resources for those who “stream” to the Lord for instruction.

The above passage, Isaiah 2:2-3, is a foundational prophecy for Presentation Ministries (PM). Decades ago, we at PM heard the call of God to receive and then exercise the spiritual gift of teaching. We sensed that God was calling us to provide a banquet of Catholic Scriptural resources for instruction in God’s “ways” and to guide Christians as they set out to “walk in His paths” (Is 2:3). We heard that there would be a famine for hearing God’s Word (Am 8:11) and built up and made available a storehouse of teachings to instruct and feed people (see Gn 41:48-49, 56ff).

Pray for us in our ministry to send forth God’s instruction. Work with us by feeding people with God’s Word. We have many resources at our website, www.presentationministries.com, which can help feed both new and seasoned disciples. Isaiah prophesies that people will stream toward the Lord for instruction. Feed His people (see Jn 21:17).

Prayer: Father, You have been preparing us for years. May we be quick to lead the streaming crowds to the banquet of Your Word.

Promise: "Many will come from the east and the west and will find a place at the banquet in the kingdom of God." —Mt 8:11

Praise: St. John of Damascus helped others to grow in faith by the many theological works that he wrote.

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

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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, 2023, through January 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 17, 2023"

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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AN ADVENTAGEOUS ADVENTURE - One Bread, One Body, 12/03/2023

Sunday, December 3, 2023, First Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 63:16-17, 19; 64:2-7
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19
Mark 13:33-37
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AN ADVENTAGEOUS ADVENTURE
"No ear has ever heard, no eye ever seen, any God but You doing such deeds for those who wait for Him." —Isaiah 64:3

We should take Advent as seriously as a new mother takes her pregnancy. The Christmas season is not merely a memory, celebration, or blessing, but a new, extremely important encounter with the incarnate Jesus. St. Charles Borromeo taught: “This holy season [Advent] teaches us that Christ’s coming was not only for the benefit of His contemporaries; His power has still to be communicated to us” (from Office of Readings, Monday of the first week of Advent). Christmas will be an exceptional grace or an opportunity sadly missed.

Therefore, our Advent preparation for Christmas is very important for God’s kingdom, the Church, the world, the future, our families, and ourselves. “Our hearts should be as much prepared for this coming of Christ (Christmas) as if He were still to come into this world” (St. Charles Borromeo). Moreover, if we are not prepared for Christ’s unique Christmas coming this year, we are not prepared for His coming at the end of the world.

Consequently, “be constantly on the watch! Stay awake! You do not know when the appointed time will come” (Mk 13:33). “Wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor 1:7). Make this the best Advent ever, preparing for Christ’s greatest Christmas coming of your life.

Prayer: Father, make this Advent more than we can ever ask for or imagine (see Eph 3:20).

Promise: "Would that You might meet us doing right, that we were mindful of You in our ways!" —Is 64:4

Praise: "Praise the Lord, O my soul; I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God while I live" (Ps 146:1-2).

(Is your family ready for Christmas? View, download or order our leaflet Healing the Family Tree 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, 2023, through January 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 17, 2023"

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 WATCHTOWER - One Bread, One Body, 12/02/2023

Saturday, December 2, 2023,

Daniel 7:15-27
Daniel 3:82-87
Luke 21:34-36

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THE WATCHTOWER
"Be on the watch. Pray constantly for the strength to escape whatever is in prospect." —Luke 21:36

On this last day of the Church’s year, we read about the last day of all years. This last day is called the “great day.” Jesus warns us: “The great day will suddenly close in on you like a trap. The day I speak of will come upon all who dwell on the face of the earth” (Lk 21:34-35). If we watch and pray constantly for strength, we will stand secure before Jesus as He returns to take us off this burning planet into the perfect happiness of heaven (Lk 21:36; see also 2 Pt 3:10).

The last day will be great for us if we are strong. We will be strong if we pray constantly. We will pray constantly if we are “on the watch.” “Therefore, let us not be asleep like the rest, but awake and sober!” (1 Thes 5:6) We must “stay sober and alert,” for “your opponent the devil is prowling like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Pt 5:8). “Be on guard lest your spirits become bloated with indulgence and drunkenness and worldly cares” (Lk 21:34). “Stay awake, therefore! You cannot know the day your Lord is coming” (Mt 24:42). “Be on guard, and pray that you may not undergo the test” (Mt 26:41).

We must be ready for this last day of the Church’s year to be the last day of our lives or the last day of all. Watch and pray.

Prayer: Jesus, come back today or as soon as possible. Maranatha! (Come, Lord Jesus!) (see Rv 22:20)

Promise: "The kingship and dominion and majesty of all the kingdoms under the heavens shall be given to the holy people of the Most High, Whose kingdom shall be everlasting." —Dn 7:27

Praise: Brian exhorts young people to use the Sacrament of Reconciliation and embrace new life.

(For a related teaching on Interpreting the Present Time, listen to, download or order our CD 81-1 or DVD 81 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, 2023, through January 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 17, 2023"

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 SEASON OR OUT OF SEASON? - One Bread, One Body, 12/01/2023

Friday, December 1, 2023,

Daniel 7:2-14
Daniel 3:75-81
Luke 21:29-33

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IN SEASON OR OUT OF SEASON?
"Notice the fig tree, or any other tree. You observe them when they are budding and know for yourselves that summer is near." —Luke 21:29-30

We must know what season of the year it is. If a farmer in the Northern hemisphere works hard planting corn in December, he is wasting his time and his corn seeds, for it is not the season to plant. If he waits till winter to harvest his crops, he will lose his crops and starve, because autumn, not winter, is the season for harvesting. To know the season in an agrarian society is a matter of life and death.

Jesus told us that we must know the spiritual seasons. If we are in the autumn of our lives or of our world, we are fools if we are acting as if we have a lot of time left. If we missed the season for planting, how can we harvest anything? Knowing the spiritual season can be a matter of salvation or damnation.

We can know the spiritual seasons by observing “the fig tree, or any other tree” (Lk 21:29). The Lord sometimes likens His people to a tree (see Lk 13:6ff; Mk 11:13ff; Ps 80:9). Consequently, we can know the spiritual season by looking at God’s people throughout the world. Are we bearing much fruit? Then it must be the spiritual season of summer. Are we reaping the harvest of evangelization? Then it must be autumn. If we are not bearing fruit, we may be in the winter of dying to self or in our self-made winter of sin.

Look at the Church. Look at yourself as a member of the Church. Which spiritual season is God’s will for you? Is that the season in which you have chosen to live?

Prayer: Father, may I be in Your season.

Promise: "Know that the reign of God is near." —Lk 21:31

Praise: The Windsor family prays a Rosary together every night.

(Advent is coming! For An Isaiah Advent, 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, 2023, through January 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 17, 2023"

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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