The Church Fathers on this verse
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Matthew 6:11Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Give us this day our supersubstantial bread.

Douay-Rheims

τον αρτον ημων τον επιουσιον δος ημιν σημερον

Greek (Byzantine text)

What does Matthew 6:11 mean?

The Fathers take daily bread first as the food life requires, not luxury, and John Chrysostom sees in "this day" a release from anxiety about tomorrow. Bread for the soul is also meant: Cyprian of Carthage identifies it with Christ and the Eucharist, Philaret of Moscow (Drosdow) with the Word of God and the Body and Blood of Christ.

Summary drawn from the commentaries of the Church Fathers. Based on John Chrysostom, Theophylact of Bulgaria, Cyprian of Carthage, Philaret of Moscow (Drosdow).

The Church Fathers on this verse

18 Church Fathers comment on this verse · 33 commentaries

John Chrysostom

4th centuryChurch Father

It should be thought upon how when He had delivered to us this petition, Thy will be done as in heaven so in earth, then because He spake to men in the flesh, and not like angelic natures without passion or appetite, He now descends to the needs of our bodies. And He teaches us to pray not for money or the gratification of lust, but for daily bread; and as yet further restriction, He adds, this day, that we should not trouble ourselves with thought for the coming day.

It should be thought upon how when He had delivered to us this petition, Thy will be done as in heaven so in earth, then because He spake to men in the flesh, and not like angelic natures without passion or appetite, He now descends to the needs of our bodies. And He teaches us to pray not for money or the gratification of lust, but for daily bread; and as yet further restriction, He adds, this day, that we should not trouble ourselves with thought for the coming day.

We pray, Give us this day our daily bread, not only that we may have what to eat, which is common to both righteous and sinners; but that what we eat we may receive at the hand of God, which belongs only to the saints. For to him God giveth bread who earns it by righteous means; but to him who earns it by sin, the Devil it is that gives. Or that inasmuch as it is given by God, it is received sanctified; and therefore He adds our, that is, such bread as we have prepared for us, that do Thou give us, that by Thy giving it may be sanctified. Like as the Priest taking bread of the laic, sanctifies it, and then offers it to him; the bread indeed is his that brought it in offering, but that it is sanctified is the benefit from the Priest. He says Our for two reasons.

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First, because all things that God gives us He gives through us to others, that of what we receive of Him we may impart to the helpless. Whoso then of what he gains by his own toil bestows nothing on others, eats not his own bread only, but others’ bread also. Secondly, he who eats bread got righteously, eats his own bread; but he who eats bread got with sin, eats others’ bread.

And these words at first sight might seem to forbid our having it prepared for the morrow, or after the morrow. If this were so, this prayer could only suit a few; such as the Apostles who travelled hither and thither teaching—or perhaps none among us. Yet ought we so to adapt Christ’s doctrine, that all men may profit in it.

Or; He adds, daily, that a man may eat so much only as natural reason requires, not as the lust of the flesh urges. For if you expend on one banquet as much as would suffice you for a hundred days, you are not eating to-day’s provision, but that of many days.

Theophylact of Bulgaria

11th centuryChurch Father

When referring to “daily bread,” the Lord signifies that which meets our natural needs and circumstances, while alleviating our worries about tomorrow. The Body of Christ embodies this daily bread, and for the unexamined participation in it, we must seek in prayer.

Augustine of Hippo

5th centuryChurch Father

These three things therefore which have been asked in the foregoing petitions, are begun here on earth, and according to our proficiency are increased in us; but in another life, as we hope, they shall be everlastingly possessed in perfection. In the four remaining petitions we ask for temporal blessings which are necessary to obtaining the eternal; the bread, which is accordingly the next petition in order, is a necessary.

There is here a difficulty created by the circumstance of there being many in the East, who do not daily communicate in the Lord’s Supper. And they defend their practice on the ground of ecclesiastical authority, that they do this without offence, and are not forbidden by those who preside over the Churches. But not to pronounce any thing concerning them in either way, this ought certainly to occur to our thoughts, that we have here received of the Lord a rule for prayer which we ought not to transgress. Who then will dare to affirm that we ought to use this prayer only once? Or if twice or thrice, yet only up to that hour at which we communicate on the Lord’s body? For after that we cannot say, Give us this day that which we have already received. Or will any one on this account be able to compel us to celebrate this sacrament at the close of the day?

So that herein we ask for a sufficiency of all things necessary under the one name of bread.

Or by daily we may understand spiritual, namely, the divine precepts which we ought to meditate and work.

Here then the saints ask for perseverance of God, when they pray that they may not be separated from the body of Christ, but may abide in that holiness, committing no crime.

Some one may perhaps find a difficulty in our here praying that we may obtain necessaries of this life, such as food and raiment, when the Lord has instructed us, Be not ye careful what ye shall eat, or wherewithal ye shall be clothed. But it is impossible not to be careful about that for the obtaining which we pray.

But to wish for the necessaries of life and no more, is not improper; for such sufficiency is not sought for its own sake, but for the health of the body, and for such garb and appliances of the person, as may make us to be not disagreeable to those with whom we have to live in all good reputation. For these things we may pray that they may be had when we are in want of them, that they may be kept when we have them.

Jerome of Stridon

5th centuryChurch Father

We may also interpret the word ‘supersubstantialis’ otherwise, as that which is above all other substances, and more excellent than all creatures, to wit, the body of the Lord.

The Greek word here which we render ‘supersubstantialis,’ is ἐπιούσιος. The LXX often make use of the word περιούσιος, by which we find, on reference to the Hebrew, they always render the word sogolac. Symmachus translates it ἐξαίρετος, that is, ‘chief,’ or ‘excellent,’ though in one place he has interpreted ‘peculiar.’ When then we pray God to give us our ‘peculiar’ or ‘chief’ bread, we mean Him who says in the Gospel, I am the living bread which came down from heaven. (John 6:51.)

In the Gospel, entitled The Gospel according to the Hebrews, ‘supersubstantialis’ is rendered ‘mohar,’ that is ‘to-morrow’s;’ so that the sense would be, Give us today to-morrow’s bread; i. e. for the time to come.

Others understand it literally according to that saying of the Apostle, Having food and raiment, let us therewith be content, that the saints should have care only of present food; as it follows, Take no thought for the morrow.

Maximus the Confessor

7th centuryChurch Father

Living in this manner, by emulating the heavenly beings, we will discover, through prayer, a life-sustaining nourishment for our spirits as essential as our daily bread. The Word, who declared: "I am the bread of life, which came down from heaven, giving life to the world" (John 6:33, John 6:35-38), sustains us with His strength and grace. This Word manifests in diverse ways, tailored to the needs of each person salvation allows, in measure with the virtue and wisdom we acquire. Let us welcome Him in our current existence, reflecting on the phrase in the prayer: "Give us this day our daily bread." By "this day," I interpret it as referring to our present time.

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To clarify further, we might understand this petition as asking for the nourishment that You prepared at the beginning for the eternal life of humanity, bestowing it upon us today amid our earthly lives so that the communion with the bread of life and wisdom may triumph over sinful mortality. This bread was the communion lost to humanity due to the breach of the divine command by our first parent. Had he tasted this divine sustenance, he might not have succumbed to the death of sin.

When one prays for this daily bread, it is not received in its fullness but rather in accordance with the recipient’s ability to comprehend it. The Bread of Life, being merciful, offers Himself to all who seek Him, yet He dispenses His grace in varying measures: more abundantly to those who have accomplished great deeds and less to those who have done lesser ones, giving each according to their spiritual capacity. This understanding of the prayer's message was illuminated for me by the Savior, who instructed His disciples not to fret over earthly provisions, saying: "Do not worry for your soul what you will eat and what you will drink, nor for your body what you will put on" (Mt. 6:25). The worldly seek these things (Lk. 12:30); however, He encourages us to prioritize the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, assuring us that all other necessities will be provided (Mt. 6:33).

It is evident that the Lord’s prayer doesn't instruct us to pursue what He has not mandated; rather, our requests should align with divine commandments. Thus, whatever the Lord does not permit us to seek, we should refrain from asking for it. Should the Savior instruct us to pursue the Kingdom of God and truth above all, He simultaneously affirms that those in pursuit of divine gifts ought to seek them in prayer. This way, through our prayers, we establish a union with the desires of the Giver of grace. While asking for our daily bread that sustains our bodies, we remain cautious not to exceed the confines of this request, remembering our transient nature and that this life is but a fleeting shadow. Hence, we pray for sustenance for the day, avoiding unnecessary burdens.

Let us demonstrate wisdom, as taught by Christ, by contemplating our earthly existence as a reflection on mortality, preemptively directing our wills to detach from bodily cares before death arrives, guarding against attachment to corruptible things. By fostering an inclination towards divine riches rather than worldliness, we conserve the sanctity of our desires for God, steering clear of covetousness. Therefore, let us, as much as possible, shun materialism and cleanse our minds from its ties. We ought to be satisfied with what sustains us rather than what merely pleases us. Let us pray earnestly that our souls do not descend into bondage or become enslaved by visible concerns for the sake of the body. In this way, we affirm that we eat to live, not live to eat, as the former aligns with rational beings, while the latter pertains to the irrational.

We must carefully guard this prayer, exemplifying through our actions our commitment to the true life—the life in the Spirit—utilizing our earthly time to attain it. Let us evidence that our endurance of this ephemeral life serves the purpose of our spiritual journey, sustaining it with the bread needed for living godly lives. By embodying virtues, we will allow our bodies to act as messengers of the soul, while the soul, grounded in goodness, becomes a proclaimer of God’s truth. In obedience to Him who imparted this prayer, we will naturally restrict our request for daily bread to the necessities of one day, abstaining from extending it to others.

Euthymios Zigabenos

11th centuryCommentator

Understanding that the nature of angels requires no sustenance while humanity does, He instructed us to seek what is essential for our physical existence. He referred to it as our bread, meaning that which sustains us, calling it daily bread to signify its necessity for the preservation, survival, and nurturing of the body. As Chrysostom interprets, daily points to the present necessity. He specifically used the term today to redirect our focus away from future worries, intending for believers to request bread solely for today and to dismiss anxieties about tomorrow, since we cannot be sure we will even experience it. Therefore, it is unnecessary to be preoccupied with a day whose arrival is uncertain.

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He later emphasizes this teaching, stating, “Do not worry about tomorrow” (Matthew 6:34). In this way, we are to remain prepared, attending to immediate natural needs while devoting the rest of our energies to spiritual endeavors. It is appropriate to seek nourishment for the soul, which also requires its own daily bread—spiritual illumination and divine wisdom from above.

Cyprian of Carthage

3rd centuryChurch Father

For Christ is the bread of life, and this bread belongs not to all men, but to us. This bread we pray that it be given day by day, lest we who are in Christ, and who daily receive the Eucharist for food of salvation, should by the admission of any grievous crime, and our being therefore forbidden the heavenly bread, be separated from the body of Christ. Hence then we pray, that we who abide in Christ, may not draw back from His sanctification and His body.

Justly therefore does the disciple of Christ make petition for to-day’s provision, without indulging excessive longings in his prayer. It were a self-contradicting and incompatible thing for us who pray that the kingdom of God may quickly come, to be looking unto long life in the world below.

Cyrill of Jerusalem

4th centuryChurch Father

The bread we share is not mere sustenance. Rather, this Sacred Bread serves as our daily nourishment. Instead of acting solely as nourishment for the body, it is intended for the spirit. This bread does not fill the stomach, for as it is written, "not what goes into the mouth defiles a man" (Matthew 15:17); instead, it permeates all aspects of your existence, benefiting both your body and soul. The term "day" conveys the notion of each day, as Paul notes, “But exhort one another daily, while it is called today” (Heb. 3:13).

Cassian

5th centuryChurch Father

Though the expression to-day may be understood of this present life; thus, Give us this bread while we abide in this world.

In that He says, this day, He shews that it is to be daily taken, and that this prayer should be offered at all seasons, seeing there is no day on which we have not need, by the receiving of this bread, to confirm the heart of e inward man.

Isidore of Pelusium

5th centuryChurch Father

The prayer that the Lord imparted to His followers is devoid of earthly desires and instead focuses entirely on spiritual matters vital for the soul's welfare. It instructs us to refrain from seeking authority, wealth, beauty, power, or any transient possessions, which we are urged to avoid, and it would be unnecessary to desire what is absent. Even elements that might seem trivial or fleshly, in the estimation of the wise, pertain more directly to the Word of God, which nourishes the immaterial soul and somehow becomes entwined with its very being. This is why it is referred to as daily bread, as the term 'essence' is more fitting for the soul than for the body.

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However, when daily bread is addressed concerning physical needs, it too can attain a spiritual dimension, since asking solely for bread signifies a judgment that is spiritually enlightened and wise. Therefore, let us seek what we have been taught rather than the ephemeral. It would indeed be disastrous and indicative of great folly to request that which we are commanded to relinquish if we possess it. One who indulges in luxury and excess, hoarding not just for sustenance but for indulgence, dares to recite, “Give us this day our daily bread,” with the understanding that such bread pertains to the necessities of the soul and suffices for the body. The phrase 'this day' reflects the Lord's intent to convey a focus on daily needs, elevating the soul’s contemplative power to higher wisdom and framing the timing of our requests. Thus, to proffer the request for daily bread is fitting for those who reject extravagance and waste.

Gregory the Great

6th centuryChurch Father

We call it our bread, yet pray that it may be given us, for it is God’s to give, and is made ours by our receiving it.

Peter of Kiev

17th centuryChurch Father

What is the fourth petition? It is: ‘Give us this day our daily bread.’ What does this petition encompass? Firstly, it refers to the supreme nourishment for our spirit, which is the Word of God, as indicated in Scripture: ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God’ (Matthew 4:4). Therefore, we implore God not to let us exist apart from the glory of His holy word, that is, the teachings of Christ, for without it, the inner being withers as if it were famished. We must recognize the spiritual death that befalls those who refuse to heed God’s words and commandments, setting a poor example in their lives.

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Secondly, this petition includes another sustenance for the soul, the participation in the Body and Blood of Christ. The Lord Himself states: ‘My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him’ (John 6:55-56). So, to receive this sacred nourishment worthily, we beseech that He gives it to us in accordance with His grace and humanity. When we partake of this dual sustenance, we will possess within us the kingdom of God (Luke 17:21), and subsequently, all temporal and material needs, which our nature requires, will be granted to us from God as a supplement, for it is written: ‘But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you’ (Matthew 6:33).

Thirdly, in this prayer, particularly within the term ‘bread,’ lies everything essential for the sustenance of our life in this world, including food and all other necessities. Each individual must be vigilant to request what is vital and necessary, abstaining from excess and indulgence, which mark a life unchecked by virtue and lead to sin. Paul instructs: ‘Let us walk properly, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy’ (Romans 13:13). He further asserts: ‘But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content’ (1 Timothy 6:8). The term ‘now’ signifies the current age, that is, for as long as we reside in this world; in the age to come, we shall experience the direct presence of God and the joy that arises from it.

Philaret of Moscow (Drosdow)

19th centuryChurch Father

WHAT IS DAILY BREAD? Daily bread refers to the sustenance essential for our existence. WHAT SHOULD WE CONSIDER WHEN REQUESTING DAILY BREAD FROM GOD? Following the guidance of our Lord Jesus Christ, we ought to seek only our daily bread, signifying the essential nourishment, clothing, and shelter required for life. Anything beyond these necessities, intended for enjoyment, should be entrusted to God's will; should it be granted, we must express our gratitude, and if not, we need not concern ourselves with it. WHY DO WE REQUEST DAILY BREAD SOLELY FOR THIS DAY? We are instructed to ask for daily bread specifically for today (for today), to prevent us from becoming overly anxious about the future and to foster our reliance on God.

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"Be not anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow shall take care of its own: sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof" (Matt. 6:34). "For your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things" (Matt. 6:32). WHAT OTHER REQUESTS DO WE MAKE UNDER THE TERM DAILY BREAD? "Since humankind is made up of both body and spirit, and the wellbeing of the soul holds far greater significance than that of the body, it is both possible and necessary to petition for the soul's daily bread, as the inner being perishes without it" (see St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Teachings of the Mystery Book, 4, 15; Orthodox Confession, ch. 2, question 19). WHAT IS THE DAILY BREAD FOR THE SOUL? The daily bread for the soul comprises the Word of God, as well as the Body and Blood of Christ. "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God" (Matt. 4:4). "My flesh is indeed food, and My blood is indeed drink" (John 6:55).

Theophan the Recluse

19th centuryChurch Father

The prayer's tone shifts with the fourth petition, moving from the inner framework of spiritual life, which is nurtured by the reverence of God and motivated by the hope of eternal life, to address the essential needs of our earthly existence. We require nourishment not just for our physical bodies, but also for our spirits; we seek confession and absolution; we ask for shelter and safety amid the temptations that beset us and the ongoing persecution from the wicked adversary. These essential desires are encapsulated in the four subsequent petitions, all aimed at invoking our heavenly Father to orchestrate favorable circumstances for our spiritual journey, both outwardly and within.

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The bread mentioned in the fourth petition signifies the physical sustenance vital for our bodily existence, while it may also imply a request for other life necessities such as clothing and shelter. However, just as our souls necessitate spiritual sustenance for their vitality, this bread can also refer to the spiritual nourishment essential for the soul. This nourishment comes from the ‘Word of God,’ which enriches the soul with the wisdom of divine truths and elevates it to contemplate the unseen riches of God, one glimpse of which is fulfilling and gratifying. Additionally, the grace of God, transmitted through the sacraments, enters the soul, enriching and satisfying it. Throughout our spiritual journey, these sacraments consist of repentance and, importantly, the communion of the Holy Mysteries of Christ, which the Lord Himself identified as the true bread from heaven that grants life to the world. It is fitting to hold this understanding in our hearts as we recite the prayer: ‘Give us this day our daily bread.’

Wladimir (Bogojawlenski)

19th centuryChurch Father

Dear fellow believers, let us raise our eyes and hearts from the depths of earthly suffering towards our Heavenly Father. In reverence and honor for His name, we eagerly pray for the arrival of His sacred kingdom and the moment when nothing on earth will stand against His divine purpose. Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We fully recognize that we have not yet reached heaven; we cannot yet join the assembly of angels singing praises before the throne of our Heavenly Father: Alleluia! We are still His children, judged by the Father to endure various daily trials and sins in this alien land, away from His house, and we depend on His daily guidance, assistance, and protection.

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Thus, we beseech our Heavenly Father to hear our cries and, in His compassion, provide us with all that we need to sustain our lives here.

We first request sustenance for our bodies and then for the needs of our souls. This order is not because the body holds more significance than the soul; rather, we seek the essentials of our earthly existence first, so that such concerns do not hinder our ability to turn our eyes and hearts towards heaven, where we may freely attend to our spiritual needs and contemplate God's kingdom and His righteousness. This fourth petition comes right after the first three, in which we ask our Father, “Give us this day our daily bread.” But what do we mean when we refer to this daily bread that we ask the Father for as ours? It belongs not to us, but to God, just as the kingdom we long for is God’s kingdom. The debts or sins for which we seek forgiveness in the fifth petition are indeed ours, but the daily bread we consume is not ours alone; it has a higher, divine Owner.

Consider the parable of the prodigal son, who came to his father demanding his share of possessions. This request marked the unfortunate beginning of human unrighteousness and suffering. We call the daily bread we ask for ours, as we require it for our well-being; however, it is given to us by our Father's grace alone. It is important to remember that God set the principles by which He dispenses daily sustenance to His children: “He that laboureth shall eat, and he that laboureth not shall not eat.” We are reminded that toil is required, as God said to mankind, “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread.”

The bread we obtain unlawfully does not truly belong to us. Those who are idle and prefer begging over working, those who steal rather than labor, gamblers seeking wealth without effort, and the greedy who prioritize their riches over God—all such individuals cannot, with honesty, claim this daily bread as theirs. The Apostle Paul warns against such conduct, urging us to live in a manner aligned with God’s truth. It is far better to hunger than to be filled with iniquities. “Having food and raiment, let us be therewith content,” the Apostle instructs.

When we speak of daily bread, we refer to all necessary provisions for the body and life’s essential needs. We should not ask for indulgences or luxuries. Let us take to heart how many gifts come from God’s hand and the labor it requires from us to place even a single piece of bread on our table. A child who finds dry bread, earned through his parents’ hard work, unappealing is not deserving of the name ‘child of God.’ The daily blessings given to each of us by our Heavenly Father are far from trivial or inconsequential.

When we say “daily bread,” we mean everything essential for bodily sustenance, such as food, drink, clothing, and shelter, along with the means to acquire them: land, livestock, finances, and property, all arising from life’s necessities. In essence, when you request daily bread, you are asking for everything required to sustain your bodily life and remove that which is harmful or obstructive.

Therefore, let your thoughts stretch beyond the confines of your home and kitchen; consider the gardens and fields. As you recite the Lord’s Prayer, bow with reverence to your God, our Heavenly Father, and give thanks for His love and mercy that extend not just to you but to millions who look to Him each day, awaiting His generosity to meet their needs. The words of the Psalmist remind us, “If you give them, they gather; if You open Your hand, they are filled with good things.”

The fulfillment of this request does not solely rest on our shoulders; it is not the result of our own efforts. Every good gift and every perfect blessing comes from God. Therefore, it is imperative that we intentionally ask Him for these essentials. When the Lord does not assist in building our homes, then those who labor in vain do so futilely; if the Lord does not protect, the watchman stays awake without purpose.

Indeed, the Lord provides daily nourishment to all, even the most unrighteous among us. He blesses both the grateful and ungrateful alike, allowing the sun to shine on all, as well as sending rain upon the just and unjust. Yet, the true blessing of God’s gifts is only received by those who accept them as expressions of His grace, approaching Him with sincere gratitude. If not, the gift transforms into a curse, leading to bitterness and discontent.

We ask in this prayer for help to receive our daily bread with gratitude, refining our hearts to be humble, satisfied, and willing to endure hardships with trust in His provision. “The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord!” He leads and directs according to His infinite wisdom and plan. It is irrelevant in His eyes whether He blesses us with much or little; He can make the offering of the poor more significant than that of the wealthy.

So do not worry, my friends, about what you will eat or drink or wear; your Heavenly Father knows well that you need all these things. While you strive amid your needs and burdens, you may not realize that at the moment of your distress, a benefactor might be at your door, ready to bless you, reminding you of the grace he brings in answer to your prayer, “Father, give us this day our daily bread!"

In this spirit, the Savior teaches us to pray not just for ourselves but also for others, sharing in God’s provision collectively. “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” What right do you have to be selfish and close your heart to others when the Lord has filled your storehouse? When we hesitate to part with our wealth, how easily we forget that we cannot carry riches with us when we depart this world.

This is why the Savior instructs us to pray, "Father, give us this day our daily bread." What you require for your soul bears eternal significance, while what is needed for the body holds value only for our time on earth, until death arrives. In this earthly journey, as we draw from the hands of our Father, who can guarantee that tomorrow we will hear not the dire warning: “This night your soul shall be required of you”?

For true followers of Christ understand that today brings its own trials, and we need not concern ourselves with the morrow. Our earthly possessions suffice if they meet our basic needs. Remaining focused on our spiritual pursuits allows us to lift our hearts towards heaven and contemplate God’s kingdom and righteousness. Blessed is the one who seeks eternal treasures and feasts upon the true bread from heaven, for whoever partakes of that bread will live forever.

Oh, grant us, Heavenly Father, the joy of life and complete satisfaction through Your beloved Son, both in Your eternal abode and here upon this earth. In every daily need, we humbly pray, “Father, give us this day our daily bread.” Amen.

Tertullian

3rd centuryTeacher of the Church

Divine wisdom beautifully organizes our prayer requests, prioritizing heavenly matters such as the name of God, the kingdom of God, and the will of God before addressing our earthly needs. The Lord instructs us to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). The phrase “Give us this day our daily bread” holds a deeper spiritual meaning, as Christ embodies our sustenance; He is both life and the bread of life, declaring, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:48). Further, He states, “My Father gives you the true bread from heaven.

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For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world” and proclaims, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven; he that eateth this bread shall live forever; but the bread which I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world” (John 6:32-33, 51). In this bread, we receive His body, as He affirmed, “This is My body” (Luke 22:19). He also attests that those who consume His body and drink His blood dwell in Him, and He in them (John 6:56). Therefore, when we request our daily bread, we are seeking to remain in Christ through our communion with His body.

Moreover, interpreting these words literally still brings us to spiritual enlightenment. We are instructed to ask solely for bread, which is deemed essential for believers; it is noted that “All these things the Gentiles seek” (Matthew 6:32). The Lord reinforces this through examples and parables, such as when He says, “It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs” (Matthew 15:26), or when He poses the question, “Who would give ... a stone” to a son who asks for bread? (Matthew 7:9). This highlights what children rightly expect from their Father. Even the beggar at night sought only bread (Luke 11:5).

In His wisdom, the Lord specified, “Give us this day,” since He had previously encouraged us, “Do not worry about tomorrow” (Matthew 6:34), which aligns with the parable of the man who, after a fruitful harvest, planned to secure his future with ease yet died that very night (Luke 12:16-20).

Roshdestwenski W.G.

Teacher of the Church

Let us remember, dear brothers and sisters, to turn towards the Lord each day, seeking His guidance for our every need, one step at a time, without anticipating what lies ahead or allowing ourselves to be burdened by concerns for tomorrow. ‘Sufficient for every day is its own care’ (Matthew 6:34). When we succumb to anxiety about the future, we squander the strength provided to us in this very moment for a specific purpose. The man in need of sustenance will not be able to nourish himself today. However, the Lord desires that we accept from His hands the gifts He bestows upon us daily, free from worries for what is to come.

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Let us earnestly petition Him to supply us with His daily bread of patience, humility, and selflessness, striving to set aside our anxieties until it is time to present them to the Lord, entrusting Him to address them as He sees fit. The Lord will certainly not forsake us in our hunger; He will sustain us daily with spiritual nourishment, provide us with glimpses of His divine light, and offer words of comfort and strength precisely when we, weary and worn, turn to Him in unwavering faith. In this, we are called to be like children, submissive to our Heavenly Father; a child dwells in the present moment, without concern for the future. In the same spirit, if we offer ourselves fully to our Heavenly Father, we will seek Him each day, confident in His mercy and timely assistance.

Michail (Lusin)

19th centuryCommentator

Bread signifies sustenance, encompassing all food (Gen. 18:5; Proverbs 30:8; Sir. 10:26; Prem. 16:20; 2 Thess. 3:12), or more broadly, everything essential for our daily necessities (Matt. 4:4; Deut. 8:3). Daily refers to what is required regularly (cf. James 2:15), or what sustains our existence (Proverbs 30:8). Human existence consists of both physical and spiritual dimensions, and thus our nourishment is also twofold; the spiritual nourishment comes from the Word of God (Jn. 5:24), the Holy Sacraments of the Church, and particularly the Most Holy Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood (Jn. 6:35). For this day, one should seek these provisions from God solely for the present time, without undue anxiety about tomorrow, as worrying excessively undermines trust in God (cf. v. 34 below).