Third Sunday after Easter — Give us this day our daily bread

Consider, first, that after seeking, in the three first petitions, the greater glory of the name of God, the propagation of his kingdom, and the execution of his will, both in heaven and in earth: we are taught, in the fourth petition, to pray for all necessaries for ourselves, both for soul and body, under the name of our daily bread, which we here beg for this short day of our mortal life, in order to support us in our pilgrimage, through the wilderness of this world, till we come to our true country, and to the happy day of everlasting light and life, in the heavenly kingdom of our Father. As to the things of this world, we pray for them with more indifference, as for things of lesser consequence, and which, if we seek first the kingdom of God and his justice, our Father has promised to furnish us with, namely, as far as he shall see expedient for us; and we pray for them for today, being forbidden to be solicitous for them for to-morrow.

But what we are here more earnestly to pray for, is, the bread which is to support the spiritual life of our souls, namely, the grace of God, the word of God, and the holy sacraments. And this we beg, both for ourselves, and for all the world, from the great Pastor of souls.,

Consider, secondly, that the holy fathers expound this petition, as meant in particular of the bread of life, which we receive in the blessed eucharist, for the food, nourishment, strength, and life of our souls. This bread is the sacred body and blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who calls himself the living bread which came down from heaven, (St. John vi. 51,) and assures us, that he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever; and that the bread which he will give is his flesh, for the life of the world, ver. 52.

This is here styled our daily bread, because given us for this our day of life; and given to be our daily support, by our partaking of it, either really, or spiritually, every day. O! my soul, ever aspire after this heavenly bread, the source of all grace, and true life. Admire and adore the incomprehensible ways, by which thy God seeks to communicate himself to thee; and see thou correspond with his goodness and love, by running daily to him, and giving thy whole self to him.

Consider, thirdly, that the best way to answer the principal intent of this petition, is by making a spiritual communion (as often as we repeat those words, give us this day our daily bre) by a lively faith and hope in Jesus Christ, the true Bread of life; by aspiring after him, by love and desire, and by inviting him to come, and to take full possession of our souls, and to unite them to himself, for time and eternity. Happy those souls that frequently in the day communicate in this manner 1

Conclude to pray for thy daily bread in such manner as to have ever principally in view this bread of life; and \o labour to partake of it daily, at least, by a spiritual communion.