Friday, October 14, 2022, Pope St. Callistus I

Ephesians 1:11-14
Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 12-13
Luke 12:1-7
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THE DOWN PAYMENT
“You too were chosen; when you heard the glad tidings of salvation, the word of truth, and believed in it, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit Who had been promised. He is the Pledge of our inheritance, the first Payment against the full redemption of a people God has made His own, to praise His glory.” —Ephesians 1:13-14

St. Paul had a strange title for the Holy Spirit. He called the Spirit “the Down Payment.” The Lord has promised us new life, freedom, joy, peace, love, power, authority, healing, victory, communion with Him, forgiveness of sins, resurrection from death, and eternal life. He has promised us even much more, but these are just a few highlights.

How do we know these promises are true? Primarily we know this because Jesus said so, and His Word is true. He also lets us personally experience some of what He’s promised. He does this through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is our Down Payment (see Eph 1:14). For example, because the Spirit healed me or healed through me, I’m sure that nothing can separate me from the love of Christ (Rm 8:35). Because the Spirit has given me the gift to praise the Lord in another language, I know the Bible is true. Because the Spirit gave me peace in the midst of the storm, “I have confident assurance I’m going to heaven” (see Heb 11:1).

The Spirit is a Down Payment that confirms us. Even in a confused, doubting, secular society, we’re confirmed that the Lord will fulfill all His promises because the work of the Holy Spirit is “the first Payment” (Eph 1:14).

Prayer: Father, renew my Confirmation (see 2 Tm 1:6-7).

Promise: “Fear nothing, then. You are worth more than a flock of sparrows.” —Lk 12:7

Praise: Pope St. Callistus served his predecessor, Pope Zephyrinus, as a deacon. He was elected the next Pope and faithfully fulfilled his papal duties until he was martyred.



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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, 2022 through November 30, 2022. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 3, 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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Wednesday, October 12, 2022,

Galatians 5:18-25
Psalm 1:1-4, 6
Luke 11:42-46
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FLESHING IT OUT
“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires.” —Galatians 5:24

By “the flesh,” the Bible refers to our fallen human nature. “The tendency of the flesh is toward death” (Rm 8:6). “The flesh in its tendency is at enmity with God; it is not subject to God’s law. Indeed, it cannot be; those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (Rm 8:7-8). A few of the works of the flesh are: “lewd conduct, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, bickering, jealousy, outbursts of rage, selfish rivalries, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and the like” (Gal 5:19-21). The flesh can be used to enslave us (see Rm 7:14) and will try to start a civil war against our own souls (1 Pt 2:11). Therefore, it is unrealistic and foolish to make provisions for the desires of the flesh (see Rm 13:14; 8:12). The flesh must not only be controlled, but crucified (Gal 5:24). Otherwise, we will stifle the Spirit (see Gal 5:17), become slaves, and destroy ourselves.

We crucify “the flesh with its passions and desires” by living in the Spirit and following the Spirit’s lead (Gal 5:24-25). The Spirit lusts “against the flesh; the two are directly opposed” (Gal 5:17). “If you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the evil deeds of the body, you will live” (Rm 8:13). The Holy Spirit wants to get all our attention, time, and energy. Then there’s nothing left for the flesh, which then dies of neglect and starvation. Even when the flesh tries to assert itself, its desires are ignored because of our immersion into, that is, baptism in the Spirit. May we live in the Spirit and with the Spirit in us. May we be so Spirit-filled that there is no room for the flesh.

Prayer: Father, may I love You so much that I will crucify my flesh and be crucified to the world (Gal 6:14).

Promise: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patient endurance, kindness, generosity, faith, mildness, and chastity.” —Gal 5:22-23

Praise: Ellen returned to regular Confession after an absence of more than ten years.



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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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Thursday, October 13, 2022,

Ephesians 1:1-10
Psalm 98:1-6
Luke 11:47-54
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LOSING YOUR HEAD?
“God has given us the wisdom to understand fully the mystery, the plan He was pleased to decree in Christ, to be carried out in the fullness of time: namely, to bring all things in the heavens and on earth into one under Christ’s headship.” —Ephesians 1:9-10

In the letters to the Ephesians and Colossians, Christ is called the Head of the Body, the Church (Eph 1:22; 4:15; Col 1:18; 2:19). This shows us how literally it is to be taken that without Jesus, we can do nothing (Jn 15:5). For example, without the brain in your head giving commands to your eyes, you could not read this sentence. Without your brain, you could not understand what you’re reading, what day it is, or what your name is. When we see a person who has suffered a brain injury, we see the significance of the analogy of Christ being our Head. We need to be connected to Jesus even more than the parts of our body need to be connected to our brain. Otherwise, we are paralyzed. Accordingly, the purpose of life is to give spiritual “therapy” to the world by bringing “all things in the heavens and on earth into one under Christ’s headship” (Eph 1:10).

Therefore, don’t lose your Head. Repent! Be totally and intimately committed and connected to Jesus, our Head.

Prayer: Father, send the Holy Spirit so that I will live in Jesus, and through Him live in You and in the Spirit.

Promise: “Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done wondrous deeds; His right hand has won victory for Him, His holy arm.” —Ps 98:1

Praise: Having left the Church in her youth, Dolores returned decades later, and is now intimately connected to Jesus, her Savior.

(For a related teaching on Accepting Jesus as Lord, Savior, and God, view, download or order our leaflet or listen to, download or order our CD 43-1 or DVD 43 on our website.)

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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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