Jesus has made His disciples members of His body (1 Cor 12:12). This is not just a figure of speech. We really are members of His body. Ours is not a superficial unity; Jesus calls us to be one as He and God the Father are one (Jn 17:21). This miracle was effected by Jesus' death and resurrection and our Baptism into Jesus (1 Cor 12:13). When we sin and thereby disrupt the unity of Christ's body, that unity is restored through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. To live and deepen the miraculous unity of our membership in Christ's body, we receive Jesus in Holy Communion.

"Because the loaf of bread is one, we, many though we are, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf" (1 Cor 10:17). By receiving the body of Christ, we become more deeply united with the members of the body of Christ. Therefore, it is very important for us to receive Jesus in Holy Communion daily or as often as possible. If we receive Jesus with the deep love of total commitment to Him, this will significantly affect the whole body of Christ and therefore impact the whole world. This is the purpose and name of this book, One Bread, One Body.

On this glorious, solemn feast day of the Body and Blood of Christ, accept the Lord's grace to receive Him in Holy Communion daily and deeply. Pray for One Bread, One Body to have this effect in people's lives and therefore be true to its name. When you receive Communion today, the eucharistic minister will say: "The Body of Christ." May your "Amen" transform the world by your love for Jesus and His body.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, November 29, 1995

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 4, 1995