On this last day of the glorious Christmas season, the Lord wants us to do as He did: go about “doing good works and healing all who were in the grip of the devil” (Acts 10:38). The Lord calls us to establish “justice on the earth” (Is 42:4), “to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness” (Is 42:7). The Lord has great plans for us in this new year.

However, we do not love and value ourselves as much as the Lord does. Many people even hate themselves. They don’t believe they can do anything great for the Lord. They think they are nobodies. Therefore, the Lord has to change their self-image before sending them forth to do His work.

Before we begin our ministry in the Lord, we need to experience what Jesus experienced before He started His public ministry. We must know emphatically that we are sons and daughters of the Father, Who loves us and delights in us (Lk 3:22). We need the Spirit to descend on us and cry out “Abba” (“Father”) (Rm 8:15; Gal 4:6). We must be certain we are chosen, loved, favored, and anointed. Then we will go into this new year in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Rescript:  "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 March 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.