TOMORROW’S BREAD TODAY
June 19
The Text: Matthew 6:7-15
Today is Juneteenth, when we celebrate the announcement of the Emancipation Proclamation to enslaved people in Texas. Families celebrate with “prosperity meals,” usually side dishes that have symbolic value. They represent the food once served in suffering that gave them hope for freedom. Black-eyed peas symbolize money because they resemble coins. Collard greens are often likened to dollar bills or greenbacks. Cornbread signifies gold. The food is connected to a future of financial prosperity. Like the food served on Juneteenth, the Lord’s Prayer teaches us how to ask for the bread of the kingdom of heaven. When we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we are feasting with Jesus on His Word and anticipating the bread that he will give us tomorrow.[1]
Jesus taught his disciples one prayer to pray. He wanted people to keep it simple and avoid babbling. Remember, Jesus prayed all night, and He encouraged others to do the same. However, he sought to avoid public displays of piety that focused more on the pray-er than on God and the community. He knew his Israelite history well. The prophets of Baal went on and on at the top of Mt. Carmel, and of course, nothing happened. The longer people prayed, and the louder they shouted, the more idolatrous they became. Elijah’s prayer was short and sweet, and God responded.
In that spirit, Jesus teaches his disciples a simple prayer with profound possibilities. He wants to pray to God and for others in light of what God promises to do in the future. Notice particularly the little phrase “give us today our daily bread.” In his homily on Psalm 135 (136), St. Jerome interpreted this word today from the Hebrew. In Hebrew, the word is maar, which means tomorrow. He preached, “The Hebrew Gospel according to Matthew reads: ‘Give us today tomorrow’s bread,’ in other words, the Bread that You will give us in Your kingdom, give us this day.”[2] Jesus wanted people to pray with the future kingdom in mind.
The bread we take today and the prayers we pray are a dress rehearsal for an eternal banquet in heaven (Matthew 8:11-12). Likewise, we pray not to fall into a time of trial today or at the last judgment (Matthew 24:4-26). On Juneteenth, we remember the people who were enslaved and look forward to a day when all will be free. Do we pray for that kind of bread today? Do you think about God’s coming kingdom as you pray for the bread, ask for forgiveness, avoid temptation, and forgive others?
This homily is included in the Daily Mass for June. Learn more and subscribe here.
[1] “Traditional Foods,” https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/a36479941/juneteenth-food-traditions/ accessed 5/13/2025.
[2] Jerome, “Homily 47 on Psalm 135 (136) p. 355-356. He says something similar in his commentary on Matthew 6:11, p. 88.