Give us each day our daily bread

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Twenty Seventh Week : Wednesday*

*Gospel : Lk 11:1-4*

*First Reading : Gal 2:1-2, 7-14*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps 117:1bc, 2*

*Give us each day our daily bread*

*1) Daily Bread*

In the Lord's prayer we find this phrase, which highlights about the daily bread 

First of all this is the very important aspect in our life 

Without bread we can't survive. Life can be sustained only through the bread/food 

Let's understand the importance of it in our daily life 

*2) Deeper meaning of the bread*

For us Christians the daily bread is not only  the bread which we need for our survival, that is the food we take to sustain our bodily life 

There is a deeper meaning for the daily bread. 

At the spiritual level also it has special significance 

When Jesus spoke about the Bread from heaven people said *Sir, give us that bread every day"*

To this Jesus says, *"I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again* John 6:32

So this reference for bread also tell us about the spiritual significance of the daily bread

*3) Unable to eat the daily bread*

There are two possibilities here 

*One* Some times the bread is not available, due to various reasons, poverty, lack of food, etc 

*Second* Bread is available, but unable to eat due to health reasons, may be diabetes, and other related health issues 

In either case the person can't eat the daily bread as he/she wishes 

*4) The Heavenly Bread/Eucharist*

The daily bread in a deeper level also refers to the heavenly bread, which is the Eucharist 

Like daily bread, which is necessary for our survival, the heavenly bread is also necessary for our survival to eternal life 

Without this bread, we are not spiritually alive and can't work for the future 

*5) Unable to Eat Heavenly bread*

When a person has some health related issues he/she can't eat certain types of food. In such situations, if one eats, there will be adverse effects on the health 

Likewise there are certain things,  which make us impossible to eat the heavenly bread 

The sin aspect, makes us difficult to eat the heavenly bread in a effective way 

*For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God’s judgment upon yourself.* 1 Cor 11:29

*6) My eagerness for daily bread*

Having realised the importance of the eternal bread, how egar I am to receive this heavenly bread

Do I feel the need of it? 

What is my spontaneous reaction towards the Heavenly bread? 

*7) Availability of the Daily bread*

Most of us have the facility to receive the bread of life everyday 

The availability of the heavenly bread is very much true in our context

Do I use this opportunity to receive the heavenly bread? 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*