Epiousius

“Give us this day our daily bread…” (Matthew 6:11)

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 It’s interesting that the Our Father, the most well-known prayer in the Bible, contains a Greek word that almost nobody knows. 

The word is EPIOUSIUS. It appears only in the Greek texts of the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, and is normally translated as DAILY (i.e. "Give us this day our DAILY bread”.. versus "Give us this day our EPIOUSIUS bread")

 
The difference between the two translations is important because it reminds us that the “daily bread” we pray for is MORE than just the material sustenance we may need to get through the day. Rather, we are asking for what is ESSENTIAL (EPI-OUSIUS) for BOTH our material and spiritual well-being, especially the Eucharist, which is the Bread of Life itself.

 
St. Thomas Aquinas translated “epiousious” as the “Panis super substantialis”, the super-substantial bread that not only sustains our bodies, but also our souls… and not just for “today”, but on to eternal life.

 
The next time we pray the Our Father, let us bear in mind that this “daily bread” we are asking for is more than just ordinary nourishment or the necessities of everyday life. We are praying for THE ONE ESSENTIAL THING that allows us to share in the very life of Christ, and gives meaning to everything else we do.

 
May we never take it for granted.

“Our Father who art in Heaven... give us this day our epiousius bread... Amen"

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2ylmTMkpjw