Father Al Lauer, founder and long-time author of One Bread, One Body (OBOB), passed from this life to the next on October 13, 2002. In the final weeks of his battle with cancer, Father often expressed his thanks to those who had supported him, prayed for him, and received him.
In the last two weeks of his life, Father could no longer leave his bedroom. Masses were celebrated in his room. Although Father could not celebrate the Mass, he did give short homilies from his bed. Near the end of one of the last Masses, Father wasn't able to say much, but over and over he softly spoke to all present the words, "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."
If Father Al were writing this teaching today, he would want you to know that he continually thanks God for you, the readers of OBOB (1 Cor 1:4). He found joy and encouragement in your letters. He rejoiced when you wrote of the great things God had done in your lives. Just as St. John rejoiced to see his children "walking in the path of truth" (2 Jn 4; 3 Jn 3-4), Father delighted in your love of God's Word and of the Church. Your faithfulness, zeal, generosity, and fruitfulness gave him fresh courage and delight. Now that Father has gone to the Lord, be assured that he is still alive for God (Lk 20:38), is even more fervently praying to God on your behalf, and is still thanking God for you.
| PRAYER: | Lord, may every reader of OBOB be "richly endowed with every gift of speech and knowledge" (1 Cor 1:5) and bear much fruit in becoming Your disciple (Jn 15:8). |
| PROMISE: | "Happy that servant whom his master discovers at work on his return!" –Mt 24:46 |
| PRAISE: | St. Louis, king of France, was renowned for his concern for the poor, and daily invited thirteen of them to dine with him. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College