The Good News, the Gospel, is the power of God for the salvation of all who believe it (Rm 1:16). St. Jerome stated: “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ” (Catechism, 133). Many today are ashamed of the gospel. So the gospel is banned from public schools, workplaces, politically correct environments, secular media, social media, and elsewhere. People are ashamed of the teaching of the gospel in regard to:

• sex as occurring only between one man and one woman in marriage,
• divorce (Mt 5:31-32; 19:3ff),
• poverty and wealth (Lk 6:20; 12:16-21),
• sin and holiness (Mt 5:21-30),
• Jesus alone being the Way to salvation (Jn 14:6; Acts 4:12),
• mercy for sinners, “haters,” and enemies (see Lk 15:1-32),
• radical life-giving compassion for the poor, marginalized, and oppressed (Mt 19:21).

These are only a sampling of the challenging teachings of the gospel. Here’s a test to determine whether or not you are ashamed of the gospel. Would you speak up to defend the teachings of the gospel when they are ridiculed at your next office party, school assembly, or public gathering? Consider the words of Jesus: “If a man is ashamed of Me and My doctrine, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory” (Lk 9:26). Do you feel ashamed of the gospel?  If so, ask Jesus to replace that shame with joy and gladness.

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 October 1, 2021 through November 30, 2021. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Vicar General, Chancellor, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio April 14, 2021"

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.