Our Daily Bread

"Give us this day our daily bread" is the most straightforward petition in the Lord's prayer, yet it has multiple layers of meaning. The surface meaning reminds us of our daily physical dependence on the Lord. The social meaning challenges us to help feed other people. The spiritual meaning  reveals that our deepest need is for communion with the Triune God, given to us by Jesus. The eschatological meaning reminds us that a greater feast awaits, so that every meal is an act of hope.