“Give us this day our daily (τὸν ἐπιούσιον) bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us…” (Mt 6: 11-12)
Today as most Christians celebrate Holy Thursday, when our Lord blessed, broke, and shared His Bread with the apostles, I’d like to reflect on the vital “daily bread” that He taught us to ask for, when He taught us to pray. One of the great things about Lent, I find, is that it teaches me to pay closer attention to my “food-choices,” both physical and spiritual.
As far as physical “bread” goes, let me gratefully note that God provides it for me today. It includes the entirety of my physical needs, like food, shelter, clothing, technology, etc. I do feel somewhat deprived of the physical company of other people, because of yet another lockdown here in Vienna, but gratitude and repentance is teaching me to value this “bread” more, as I have tended to take it for granted in the past.
As far as healthy and vital spiritual “bread” goes, I easily lose sight of it altogether, overindulging in the wrong kind. I often allow myself to be fed “too much information” from news-sources or other media. I may be entirely exhausted and famished, without the essential “daily bread” I need, and not even notice it.
So today let me take pause, and take care of my health, both physical and spiritual. Let me re-connect with the Giver of Life and open up to His nurturing presence and grace, so abundantly on offer today, and every day. I take a bit of time for some deep, prayerful reading as well, that I may be nourished and strengthened through life-giving words, rather than exhausting and confusing ones. “Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Amen!
