ACC ~ Matthew 6 v11

THE BREAD THAT ESSENTIALLY NOURISHES OUR TRUE HUMANITY

ORIGEN: Since some understand from this that we are commanded to pray for material bread, it will be well to refute their error here and to establish the truth about the epiousios (supersubstantial) [1] bread. We must ask them how it could be that he who commanded us to ask for great and heavenly favors should command us to intercede with the Father for what is small and of the earth, as if he had forgotten—so they would have it—what he had taught. For the bread that is given to our flesh is neither heavenly, nor is the request for it a great request.

We, on our part, following the Master himself who teaches us about the bread, shall treat the matter explicitly. In the Gospel according to John he says to those who had come to Capernaum seeking for him: “Amen, amen, I say to you, you seek me, not because you have seen miracles but because you did eat of the loaves and were filled.” [2] One who has eaten of the bread blessed by Jesus and is filled with it tries all the more to understand the Son of God more perfectly and hastens to him. Hence his admirable command: “Labor not for the meat that perishes but for that which endures to life everlasting, which the Son of Man will give you.” [3] … The “true bread” is that which nourishes the true humanity, the person created after the image of God. ON PRAYER 27.2. [4]

[1] Although it is unlikely that the adjective epiousios was coined ex novo by the Evangelists, it is true that in all of Greek literature the term appears only here and in a parallel passage in Luke. Origen links it to the root of ousia “essence, substance,” and he builds his interpretation on this connection. In passage 6, on the other hand, he connects it more plausibly to the root of the verb hiēmi “to go.” The difficulty here posed by Origen continues to interest modern scholars, as is widely known.

[2] Jn 6:26.

[3] Jn 6:27.

[4] GCS 3:363-64; ACW 19:92-93. The bread is that which nourishes true humanity created in God’s image.

DAILY EUCHARIST IN UNION WITH CHRIST

CYPRIAN: “Daily bread” may be understood both spiritually and simply, because both meanings help us to understand salvation. For Christ is the bread of life; and this bread is not the bread of all, but it is our bread. And as we say “our Father,” because he is the father of those who understand and believe, so too we say “our bread,” because Christ is the bread of us who touch his body. Now we ask that this bread be given to us today, lest we who are in Christ and receive his Eucharist daily as the food of salvation should be separated from Christ’s body through some grave offense that prohibits us from receiving the heavenly bread. For according to his words: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is my flesh for the life of the world.” [1] TREATISES, ON THE LORD’S PRAYER 18. [2]

[1] Jn 6:51.

[2] CCL 3a:101; ANF 5:452*. We call it our bread because Christ is the bread of those who are in Eucharistic union with his body.

BREAD FOR ETERNITY

JEROME: In the Gospel the term used by the Hebrews to denote supersubstantial bread is maar. I found that it means “for tomorrow,” so that the meaning is “Give us this day our bread” for tomorrow, that is, the future. [1] We can also understand supersubstantial bread in another sense: bread that is above all substances and surpasses all creatures. COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 1.6.11. [2]

[1] The explanation of epiousios suggested by Jerome, returning to the Aramaic text of the Lord’s Prayer, is also accepted by some modern scholars.

[2] CCL 77:37.

NECESSARY FOOD FOR ONE DAY

CHRYSOSTOM: What is daily bread? Just enough for one day. Here Jesus is speaking to people who have natural needs of the flesh, who are subject to the necessities of nature. He does not pretend that we are angels. He condescends to the infirmity of our nature in giving us his commands. The severity of nature does not permit you to go without food. So for the maturing of your life, he says, I require necessary food, not a complete freedom from natural necessities. But note how even in things that are bodily, spiritual correlations abound. For it is not for riches or frills that we pray. It is not for wastefulness or extravagant clothing that we pray, but only for bread. And only for bread on a daily basis, so as not to “worry about tomorrow.” [1] THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 19.5. [2]

[1] Mt 6:34.

[2] PG 57:280; NPNF 1 10:135**.

Mt