May 3, 2026 - One Bread, One Body

May 3, Fifth Sunday of Easter

Cycle A Readings:
1) Acts 6:1-7
Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19
2) 1 Peter 2:4-9
John 14:1-12

The temptation to do good

“This will permit us to concentrate on prayer and the ministry of the word.” —Acts 6:4

“There is no chaining the word of God” (2 Tm 2:9), but the messengers of God’s Word can be chained. We are often chained through sin, selfishness, or fear. However, we can be chained in more subtle ways. For example, the devil tried to chain the apostles by making them think they needed to cut back temporarily on prayer and the ministry of the Word to deal with a disagreement in the early Church (Acts 6:2ff). He tempted them by encouraging them to do a good and needed work. Moreover, the devil didn’t tell them to completely quit their ministry of the Word but only to cut back just for a little while. However, once we deviate even slightly from our God-given call (even if we do it by performing good deeds), we are no longer doing God’s will. When we give an inch even for a moment, our inch turns into miles which can last forever.

Therefore:

• Do God’s deeds, not good deeds.
• Do nothing but His will.
• Don’t interrupt or postpone God’s work. Do it now.
• Don’t let up at all in proclaiming His Word in season and out of season (2 Tm 4:2).
• Be a witness for the risen Christ full-time and forever.

Prayer: Father, by Your grace I will live my vocation to the full.

Promise: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Have faith in God and faith in Me.” —Jn 14:1

Praise: Alleluia! Praise Jesus, “the Resurrection and the Life” (Jn 11:25). He holds “the keys of death and the nether world” (Rv 1:18). Alleluia forever!

Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Imprimatur ("Permission to Publish") for One Bread, One Body covering the period from April 1, 2026, through May 31, 2026. †Most Reverend Steve J. Angi,  Chancellor, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio October 22, 2025."

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.