MONEY TALKS - One Bread, One Body, 11/07/2021

Sunday, November 7, 2021, 32nd Sunday Ordinary Time

1 Kings 17:10-16
Hebrews 9:24-28
Psalm 146:7-10
Mark 12:38-44

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MONEY TALKS
"This poor widow contributed more than all the others." —Mark 12:43

The widow of Zarephath and the widow in today’s Gospel reading both gave from their want, all that they “had to live on” (Mk 12:44; 1 Kgs 17:13ff). When Zacchaeus accepted salvation, he gave half his possessions to the poor (Lk 19:8). Barnabas donated his farm to the Church (Acts 4:37). It became so common to do this that Ananias and Sapphira lied and said they gave to the Church all the money they received from selling a piece of property, although they had only given most of it (Acts 5:2-3). Paul had to caution the Macedonians about over-giving! (2 Cor 8:13) They gave to the point of impoverishing themselves. We don’t seem to have this problem today.

Christians today seem light-years away from the financial giving we see in the Bible, especially in the New Testament. Many Christians aren’t even tithing, and tithing is B.C. It’s 2,000 years behind the times.  We must repent of watering down our faith. We have become lukewarm not only in financial matters, but also in many other areas (Rv 3:16). We must repent, even if we’re the first ones or the only ones to repent.

Prayer: Father, may I give as You gave to me.

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

Praise: Praise You, Lord Jesus, for Your gift of Paradise (see 2 Cor 12:4). Risen Jesus, lead us to Your Father's house!

(For a related teaching on A Prophetic Lifestyle, order, listen to or download our CD 75-3 or DVD 75 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 October 1, 2021 through November 30, 2021. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Vicar General, Chancellor, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio April 14, 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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GET A LIFE OR GET THE LIFE? - One Bread, One Body, 11/06/2021

Saturday, November 6, 2021,

Romans 16:3-9, 16, 22-27
Psalm 145:2-5, 10-11
Luke 16:9-15
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GET A LIFE OR GET THE LIFE?
"They were in Christ." —Romans 16:7

Life in Christ is:

• love, for Christians are brothers and sisters who lay down their lives for each other (see Rm 16:4; 1 Jn 3:16),
• work “in the service of Christ Jesus” (Rm 16:3),
• dangerous, for Christians are persecuted, imprisoned (see Rm 16:7), and even martyred,
• reason to be grateful forever (see Rm 16:4),
• a home-based community (Rm 16:5),
• “the mystery hidden for many ages” (Rm 16:25),
• to “believe and obey” (Rm 16:26),
• to give glory to the Trinity,
• to be trustworthy and faithful (see Lk 16:10-12), and
• the total gift of ourselves to the Lord (see Lk 16:13).

To live in Christ is better than to be rich, powerful, or famous. To live and suffer in Christ is better than having all the pleasures of the world. To live in Christ is the greatest privilege, challenge, suffering, and joy possible for a human being. To live in Christ is to live with Him forever in heaven. Live in Him.

Prayer: Father, "to me 'life' means Christ" (Phil 1:21). I live no longer for myself but for Jesus (2 Cor 5:15).

Promise: "You justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God reads your hearts. What man thinks important, God holds in contempt." —Lk 16:15

Praise: Louis just gazes upon Jesus in the monstrance when in adoration.



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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 October 1, 2021 through November 30, 2021. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Vicar General, Chancellor, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio April 14, 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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GUNG-HO - One Bread, One Body, 11/05/2021

Friday, November 5, 2021,

Romans 15:14-21
Psalm 98:1-4
Luke 16:1-8
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GUNG-HO
"The owner then gave his devious employee credit for being enterprising! Why? Because the worldly take more initiative than the other-worldly when it comes to dealing with their own kind." —Luke 16:8

The people of the world are usually charged up. They are in overdrive to make money and satisfy their carnal desires. It is nothing to work fifty, sixty, or more hours a week. They’ll stay up all night just to get a buzz. Almost no sacrifice seems too great to get ahead or feel high.

Jesus says that we Christians should have that kind of initiative and drive — not motivated by carnal desires but by God’s love. If we spread the Good News with the fervor in which the world markets the bad news, what an evangelism-explosion would result! If we stayed up all night praying while the world was preying, what victory we would see! The Good News doesn’t look so good if not proclaimed with abandon.

Jesus said: “I have come to light a fire on the earth. How I wish the blaze were ignited! I have a baptism to receive. What anguish I feel till it is over!” (Lk 12:49-50) Let’s run out of the upper room. May our walk match our talk. We need a new Pentecost to conquer the world (1 Jn 5:5).

Prayer: Jesus, I'm sorry for not running down the street telling of You, Your crucified love, and Resurrection-power.

Promise: "I will not dare to speak of anything except what Christ has done through me to win the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed, with mighty signs and marvels, by the power of God's Spirit." —Rm 15:18-19

Praise: Sarah understood the meaning of unconditional love after her husband's stroke.

(For a related teaching on Evangelization, order, listen to or download our CD 55-1 and CD 55-3 or DVD 55 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 October 1, 2021 through November 30, 2021. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Vicar General, Chancellor, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio April 14, 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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“ALL IN THE FAMILY” - One Bread, One Body, 11/04/2021

Thursday, November 4, 2021, St. Charles Borromeo

Romans 14:7-12
Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14
Luke 15:1-10
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"ALL IN THE FAMILY"
"But you, how can you sit in judgment on your brother? Or you, how can you look down on your brother?" —Romans 14:10

Have you heard the old joke: “When is a door not a door?” Answer: “When it is ‘ajar.’ ” All over the world today, people will ask a similar question: “When is a person not a person?” In many cases, the answer will be: “When they are a rapist, a murderer, a bum, a fetus, a nursing home patient, a homeless person, a prostitute, etc.”

In today’s Gospel parables, Jesus talks about a lost sheep and a lost silver piece. In both situations, it is obvious to all that the lost article still has worth and value. Moreover, the sheep and the coin are consistently referred to as “sheep” and “silver piece,” whether they are in a state of being lost or in their rightful place.

Luke follows today’s parables with the parable of the prodigal son (Lk 15:11-32). This time, a person is lost. Now that people are involved, there is suddenly a colossal identity crisis. It’s no longer obvious that the lost person has any worth. The younger son no longer sees himself as son, but as slave (Lk 15:18-19). The elder brother calls the lost person “his father’s son” (see Lk 15:30) rather than “my brother”; he also forgets his own identity and calls himself a slave rather than a son (Lk 15:29). Only the father sees the true relationships. He calls both boys “sons” (Lk 15:24, 31) and tells them that they are “brothers” (see Lk 15:32).

Jesus is telling us that just as a coin and a sheep do not cease being coins and sheep, so people are still God’s precious children no matter what their status. “Dearly beloved, we are God’s children now” (1 Jn 3:2).

Prayer: Abba, thank You for adopting me. I love being Your child, and I will love all of Your children (1 Jn 5:1).

Promise: "Both in life and in death we are the Lord's." —Rm 14:8

Praise: St. Charles was born into luxury and received a "trust fund." But Charles heard God and asked his father to give most of the money to the poor.

(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 October 1, 2021 through November 30, 2021. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Vicar General, Chancellor, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio April 14, 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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A CALCULATED RISK? - One Bread, One Body, 11/03/2021

Wednesday, November 3, 2021, St. Martin de Porres

Romans 13:8-10
Psalm 112:1-2, 4-5, 9
Luke 14:25-33
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A CALCULATED RISK?
"If one of you decides to build a tower, will he not first sit down and calculate the outlay to see if he has enough money to complete the project?" —Luke 14:28

Jesus commands us to “first sit down and calculate the outlay.” To be a Christian is easy and light insofar as the Lord will give us the grace to do His will (see Mt 11:30). Nevertheless, the Christian life is a yoke and a burden (Mt 11:30). We must give everything in order to live it (see Mt 13:44, 46).

Are you willing to give everything to Jesus? Will you turn your back on everyone, including your ego, to be Jesus’ disciple? (Lk 14:26) Will you die to self, suffer, and take up the cross each day to be a disciple of the crucified and risen Lord? (see Lk 14:27) Will you renounce all your possessions and use them only as Master Jesus directs you as His disciple? (Lk 14:33)

Many Christians have never sat down and calculated the demands of the Christian life. Therefore, they have never decided to meet those demands. Their lives are half-built towers and failed wars (see Lk 14:29-31). The Lord does not want us to dabble in the Christian life. He wants us hot or even cold, but not lukewarm (Rv 3:16). Therefore, “first sit down and calculate the outlay.” Because of Jesus’ crucified, perfect love for you, choose to be a Christian on Jesus’ terms. Love Jesus “with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind” (Lk 10:27).

Prayer: Father, may zeal for Your house consume me (Jn 2:17; Ps 69:10).

Promise: "Owe no debt to anyone except the debt that binds us to love one another. He who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law" —Rm 13:8

Praise: St. Martin de Porres' life was a result of the Spanish colonization of South America. His father was Spanish and his mother was a native of Panama. He is the patron of race relations. He was gifted with wisdom, miracles and especially love.



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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 October 1, 2021 through November 30, 2021. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Vicar General, Chancellor, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio April 14, 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 BIBLE ON PRAYING FOR THE DEAD - One Bread, One Body, 11/02/2021

Tuesday, November 2, 2021, All Souls

Wisdom 3:1-9
Romans 6:3-9
Psalm 27:1, 4, 7-9, 13-14
Matthew 25:31-46

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THE BIBLE ON PRAYING FOR THE DEAD
"God tried them and found them worthy of Himself."—Wisdom 3:5

According to the Bible, what happens to us when we die? The Bible seems to imply that some people immediately go to heaven after death. Jesus told the good thief: “This day you will be with Me in paradise” (Lk 23:43). It seems logical that some people also immediately go to hell, although nowhere in the Bible is this stated explicitly. The Bible does say: “It is appointed that men die once, and after death be judged” (Heb 9:27).

The Bible does indicate that some of the dead do not go immediately to heaven or hell. Judas Maccabeus provided “an expiatory sacrifice” for the soldiers who had died for the Jewish faith (2 Mc 12:43). It would be useless to make offerings for people in heaven or hell (see Lk 16:26), so these people must be on the way to heaven. We should pray for the dead as the Spirit leads.

Prayer: Father, may I pray for the dead as did the Christians of the New Testament.

Promise: Father, may I pray for the dead as did the Christians of the New Testament.

Praise: "For if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been useless and foolish to pray for them in death" (2 Mc 12:44).

(For a related teaching on Daily Prayers, order, listen to or download our CD 62-3 or DVD 62 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 October 1, 2021 through November 30, 2021. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Vicar General, Chancellor, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio April 14, 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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WHITEWASHED - One Bread, One Body, 11/01/2021

Monday, November 1, 2021, All Saints

Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14
1 John 3:1-3
Psalm 24:1-6
Matthew 5:1-12

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WHITEWASHED
"These are the ones who have survived the great period of trial; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." —Revelation 7:14

Some saints led very sinful lives.  When they encountered the Lord, they realized the Lord’s holiness and their own sinfulness. They confessed their sins, repented deeply, and changed their lives permanently.

Some saints were called to the ultimate witness: laying down their lives for Jesus in martyrdom. “They were stoned, sawed in two, put to death at sword’s point” (Heb 11:37). “All of these died in faith” (Heb 11:13) because “they were searching for a better, a heavenly home” (Heb 11:16).

Some saints lived obscure lives of faithfulness and holiness. They died to themselves, picked up their cross, and followed daily in the footsteps of Jesus. As disciples of Jesus, they rose early to pray (Mk 1:35) and prayed long into the night (Lk 6:12). Their intercession and redemptive suffering stopped wars, brought healing and reconciliation, and built up the kingdom of God.

Some saints are still under construction. Some saints are those of you reading this page. You endure periods of trial (Rv 7:14), but live lives of “hope based on” Jesus (1 Jn 3:3). You have given your lives to Jesus and have been washed clean in the waters of Baptism and in “the blood of the Lamb” (Rv 7:14). Saints alive, praise Jesus now and forever with the communion of saints!

Prayer: Father, may my life result in many thousands of people praising You forever in heaven.

Promise: "Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is great in heaven." —Mt 5:12

Praise: Today we salute the canonized, the beatified, and the venerable. Each honored God through heroic virtue and charity. All holy men and women, pray for us!

(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 October 1, 2021 through November 30, 2021. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Vicar General, Chancellor, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio April 14, 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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