NET-WORK - One Bread, One Body, 01/13/2025

Monday, January 13, 2025, St. Hilary

Hebrews 1:1-6
Psalm 97:1-2, 6-7, 9
Mark 1:14-20

View Readings

NET-WORK
Jesus "observed Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea." —Mark 1:16

Jesus called the fishermen, Sts. Peter and Andrew, after observing them casting their nets into the sea. When Jesus called them, “they immediately abandoned their nets and became His followers” (Mk 1:18). He called the next two apostles, Sts. James and John, while they were putting their nets in order (Mk 1:19). Nets are mentioned three times in Mark’s account of Jesus calling the first four apostles. What is the significance of the nets?

From the fish’s point of view, nets are traps which take away the fish’s freedom and lead to their death. When we follow Jesus, we must abandon our nets. We must repent of sinful patterns in our lives which have trapped us and brought about our spiritual death. Through repentance, we can be free to follow Jesus.

From the fisherman’s point of view, nets are essential to his work. Therefore, these nets need to be in order, and the fisherman must cast them into the sea skillfully and frequently. The nets are our evangelistic outreach. To follow Jesus means to be fishers of men and women (Mk 1:17). To follow Jesus without frequently evangelizing is a contradiction.

All Christians must evangelize. Leave the nets of sin and cast the nets of faith.

Prayer: Jesus, may I not let a day go by without sharing Your love with someone.

Promise: "In times past, God spoke in fragmentary and varied ways to our fathers through the prophets; in this, the final age, He has spoken to us through His Son." —Heb 1:1-2

Praise: St. Hilary composed some of the greatest writings on the theology of the Trinity.

(For a related teaching on Evangelization, listen to, download or order our AV 55-1, AV 55-3 or V-55 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, 2024, through January 31, 2025. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 15, 2024"

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..

SPIRIT-FILLED AND SPIRIT-WILLED - One Bread, One Body, 01/12/2025

Sunday, January 12, 2025, Baptism of the Lord

Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11
Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7
Psalm 104:1-4, 24-25, 27-30
Luke 3:15-16, 21-22
View Readings

SPIRIT-FILLED AND SPIRIT-WILLED
"The Holy Spirit descended on Him in visible form like a dove." —Luke 3:22

On this last day of the Christmas season, we can receive in a new way the outpouring of the Spirit. Like Jesus, we must go to our Jordan and meet our St. John the Baptizer. There’s a person and a place that the Lord has chosen to be instrumental in lavishing His Spirit on us (Ti 3:6). Like Jesus, we will have to deny and humble ourselves to be at the right place at the right time (Mt 3:15). We will struggle within to “let it be done” to us (Lk 1:38).

Let’s resist our resistance to the Holy Spirit. The Lord wants to give the Spirit to us much more than we want to receive Him. If we would only want the Spirit more than we want our own way! Jesus, the Baptizer in the Spirit (Mk 1:8), is so quiet and gentle, “not crying out, not shouting, not making His voice heard in the street” (Is 42:2). It’s so easy to brush Him off, stifle the Christmas Spirit, and miss the opportunity of a lifetime. Yet, if we want to, we can hear Jesus breathing on us the words: “Receive the Holy Spirit” (Jn 20:22). The Spirit descends quietly as a dove (Mt 3:16), noticeable only to those who want to notice.

“My point is that you should live in accord with the Spirit and you will not yield to the cravings of the flesh” (Gal 5:16).

Prayer: Father, today immerse me in the Spirit.

Promise: "He saved us through the baptism of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit." —Ti 3:5

Praise: "The voice of the Lord is mighty; the voice of the Lord is majestic" (Ps 29:4). "In His temple all say, 'Glory!' " (Ps 29:9)

(For a related teaching on Don't Stifle the Spirit, listen to, download or order our AV 56-3 or V-56 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, 2024, through January 31, 2025. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 15, 2024"

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 LAST SHALL BE FIRST - One Bread, One Body, 01/11/2025

Saturday, January 11, 2025,

1 John 5:14-21
Psalm 149:1-6, 9
John 3:22-30

View Readings

THE LAST SHALL BE FIRST
"Anyone who sees his brother sinning, if the sin is not deadly, he 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. Through the Lord’s forgiveness, they will be given Christmas just before the season ends. The devil thought he had robbed them of Christmas. Yet, by prayer, we repossess from the robber and give many people another opportunity for Christmas.

On this second last day of the Christmas season, go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and invite others to join you. For so many, Confession is the key to Christmas. Many people are spiritually still in Advent. They need to obey St. John the Baptizer’s call to repentance (Lk 3:3). We are called to be ministers of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18), to encourage others to get the specks out of their eyes, after we have removed the planks from ours (Mt 7:5). The Lord is entrusting “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)

Tomorrow, 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 day of the season (see Mt 20:14).

Promise: "He must increase, while I must decrease." —Jn 3:30

Praise: After coming to Bible study for three years, Louise came to believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

(For a related teaching on Reconciliation, listen to, download or order our AV 1A-1 or V-1A 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, 2024, through January 31, 2025. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 15, 2024"

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 BEST FOR LAST - One Bread, One Body, 01/10/2025

Friday, January 10, 2025,

1 John 5:5-13
Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20
Luke 5:12-16

View Readings

THE BEST FOR LAST
"There are three that testify, the Spirit and the water and the blood." —1 John 5:7-8

To be baptized in the Holy Spirit means to be immersed in the Holy Spirit and therefore in the Father and the Son (see Mt 28:19). This means we are no longer immersed in our own concerns, feelings, and thoughts but have died to ourselves (see Lk 9:23). To be baptized in the Spirit is to be crucified with Christ (Gal 2:19-20) and to “live no longer” for ourselves but for Him (2 Cor 5:15). Knowing this, will you still pray: “Come, Holy Spirit”?

The Holy Spirit testifies, that is, gives witness for Jesus (1 Jn 5:6; Jn 15:26). The word for “witness” in Greek is “martyr.” This shows that witnesses for Jesus are often persecuted or even killed, as was Jesus. If you pray for the Holy Spirit, you are volunteering to be a witness for Jesus. You are getting yourself in trouble, putting yourself in danger, and risking your life. Nevertheless, will you pray: “Come, Holy Spirit”?

Will you have the true Christmas Spirit, the Holy Spirit? You will have the Spirit only as much as you die to self and accept the cross. In this new year, pray, “Come, Holy Spirit!”

Prayer: Father, give me the Christmas Spirit no matter what. May I want the Spirit more than I want pleasure, comfort, and acceptance from others.

Promise: "Whoever possesses the Son possesses life; whoever does not possess the Son of God does not possess life. I have written this to you to make you realize that you possess eternal life — you who believe in the name of the Son of God." —1 Jn 5:12-13

Praise: Instead of filing a complaint against a co-worker who harassed her for years, Edie asked God for an increase of the Holy Spirit to be able to love this individual. She was able to eventually reconcile peacefully with her persecutor.



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

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, 2024, through January 31, 2025. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 15, 2024"

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..

PERPETUAL JUBILARIANS - One Bread, One Body, 01/09/2025

Thursday, January 9, 2025,

1 John 4:19—5:4
Psalm 72:1-2, 14-15, 17
Luke 4:14-22

View Readings

PERPETUAL JUBILARIANS
"Announce a year of favor from the Lord." —Luke 4:19

Twenty-four years ago Pope St. John Paul II closed the holy door and concluded the Great Jubilee. This did not mean that we are no longer jubilarians. Rather, it means that the greatest of all jubilees was over, and we should accept the grace for our lives to be perpetual jubilees. Jesus promised us this grace when He began His public ministry. The Spirit of the Lord was upon Him “to proclaim liberty to captives” and “to announce a year of favor from the Lord” (Lk 4:18, 19). Baptized into Christ, we are perpetual jubilarians.

Each Christmas we sing: “Angels we have heard on high” and ask the question: “Shepherds why this jubilee?” As we continue the jubilation of the Christmas season, let us rejoice in a new Pentecost in which the Holy Spirit frees us and renews the face of the earth (Ps 104:30). “With joy” let us “draw water at the fountain of salvation” (Is 12:3). Let us join Mary, magnifying the greatness of the Lord and rejoicing in God our Savior (Lk 1:46-47). May the jubilation of Christmas launch us into a jubilee year of freedom, justice, salvation, reconciliation, and restoration. Be a perpetual jubilarian in Christ.

Prayer: Father, by Your love, fill me with jubilation forever.

Promise: "We, for our part, love because He first loved us." —1 Jn 4:19

Praise: Gloria forgave the drunk driver that crashed into her car.

(As you make plans for the New Year, include time for spiritual growth. Attend one or more retreats at our Discipleship Center in Adams Co. Ohio. See our website for more information.)

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

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, 2024, through January 31, 2025. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 15, 2024"

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..

CLIMBING THE MOUNTAIN OF LOVE - One Bread, One Body, 01/08/2025

Wednesday, January 8, 2025,

1 John 4:11-18
Psalm 72:1-2, 10, 12-13
Mark 6:45-52

View Readings

CLIMBING THE MOUNTAIN OF LOVE
"If we love one another God dwells in us, and His love is brought to perfection in us." —1 John 4:12

The Lord has a wonderful plan for our lives (see Jer 29:11). He plans for us not only to be loved or give love but even to abide in love and thereby abide in God (1 Jn 4:16). God, Who is Love, orchestrates the events of our lives to help us climb the mountain of unconditional love. When we sin, we fall down the mountain. When we obey, forgive, or repent, we climb up the mountain. Step by step, love by love, we can reach the heights of Christ’s love (see Eph 3:18). Eventually, we can reach the mountaintop of love, that is, heaven, where the love is unconditional, perfect, and everlasting in the presence of God, Who is infinite Love.

This Christmas season, take several big steps up the mountain of love. Love your spouse more than you have ever loved him or her. Forgive and love your enemies. Love strangers enough to tell them the Good News of God’s crucified love. Love as never before. This is the meaning of Christmas and of life.

Prayer: Father, may I break new ground in love and climb higher than I've ever been before.

Promise: "Our love is brought to perfection in this, that we should have confidence on the day of judgment; for our relation to this world is just like His." —1 Jn 4:17 Praise: Jesus healed Brett of terminal cancer.

Praise: Jesus healed Brett of terminal cancer.

(To learn more about the Bible and help you climb the mountain of love, consider listening to our teaching series on the New Testament. To begin, listen to, download or order AV 700, AV 701, AV 702 and AV 703 on the Gospel of Matthew 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, 2024, through January 31, 2025. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 15, 2024"

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..

“GOD IS LOVE” - One Bread, One Body, 01/07/2025

Tuesday, January 7, 2025, St. Raymond of Peñafort

1 John 4:7-10
Psalm 72:1-4, 7-8
Mark 6:34-44

View Readings

"GOD IS LOVE"
"Love, then, consists in this: not that we have loved God, but that He has loved us and has sent His Son as an offering for our sins." —1 John 4:10

God loved the world so much (see Jn 3:16) that He:

• created us,
• became a man,
• died on the cross for us,
• rose from the dead for us,
• offers us a share in His divine nature through Baptism (2 Pt 1:4),
• forgives all our sins,
• makes it possible for us to be His sons and daughters,
• invites us to be members of His mystical body, the Church,
• wants us to live in Him and Him in us (see Jn 6:56; 17:23),
• gives us His Body and Blood in Holy Communion,
• wants to make us a “royal priesthood, a holy nation” (1 Pt 2:9), and
• will return to take us to the perfect love and happiness of heaven.

God is indeed Love (1 Jn 4:8, 16), and there is no greater love than His perfect, infinite, unconditional, eternal love. We “love because He first loved us” (1 Jn 4:19). Therefore, let us live in His love (Jn 15:9-10) and love one another (1 Jn 4:7), especially our enemies. Let us love even to the point of laying down our lives for our brothers and sisters in Christ (1 Jn 3:16). Remain in Love and remain in God (1 Jn 4:16).

Prayer: Father, on this day of the Christmas season, give me love "from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith" (1 Tm 1:5).

Promise: "God's love was revealed in our midst in this way: He sent His only Son to the world that we might have life through Him." —1 Jn 4:9

Praise: St. Raymond was the successor of St. Dominic to head the world-wide Dominicans.



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

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, 2024, through January 31, 2025. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 15, 2024"

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..