2837. “Daily” (epiousios) occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. Taken in a temporal sense, this word is a pedagogical repetition of “this day,”128 to confirm us in trust “without reservation.” Taken in the qualitative sense, it signifies what is necessary for life, and more broadly every good thing sufficient for subsistence.129 Taken literally (epi-ousios: “super-essential”), it refers directly to the Bread of Life, the Body of Christ, the “medicine of immortality,” without which we have no life within us.130 Finally in this connection, its heavenly meaning is evident: “this day” is the Day of the Lord, the day of the feast of the kingdom, anticipated in the Eucharist that is already the foretaste of the kingdom to come. For this reason it is fitting for the Eucharistic liturgy to be celebrated each day.
The Eucharist is our daily bread. the power belonging to this divine food makes it a bond of union. Its effect is then understood as unity, so that, gathered into his Body and made members of him, we may become what we receive…. This also is our daily bread: the readings you hear each day in church and the hymns you hear and sing. All these are necessities for our pilgrimage.131
The Father in heaven urges us, as children of heaven, to ask for the bread of heaven. [Christ] himself is the bread who, sown in the Virgin, raised up in the flesh, kneaded in the Passion, baked in the oven of the tomb, reserved in churches, brought to altars, furnishes the faithful each day with food from heaven.132
Aprofunde seus conhecimentos
328. What is the effect of ordination to the priesthood?
63. What is the place of the human person in creation?
497. When is it moral to regulate births?
485. In case of war, what does the moral law require?
532. What does Jesus call for in poverty of spirit?
100. In what way is the spiritual motherhood of Mary universal?
549. How does the Holy Spirit intervene in the Church’s prayer?
Acesse nossos estudos biblicos:
What does the Bible teach about God’s final judgment, and what does Malachi 3:18 tell us about it?
What does the Bible say about the true source of comfort in times of trouble?
What is the responsibility of religious leaders according to Malachi 2:7?
How important is the reorganization of the Jerusalem temple described in 2 Maccabees 10:1-9?
