Neither Jesse nor Glenn know what they are saying in The Lord’s Prayer. (But then, almost none of us do.) Let’s talk Greek!

Glenn and Jesse have been on anti-Catholic tirade for a few weeks now. Doubtless it is their way coping - rather, avoiding - their love of Trump who is destroying the trust of Americans and trust in America around the world.

And I won’t fight them with Jesus’ own words because they tend to ignore what Jesus says in the Gospels (too loving a message for Thugs). And what Jesus says that clearly affirms his promise to be present in the Eucharistic bread is appended below what comes next.

Jesse has done the most… what’s the word?… two words:  vain attempt at compiling a pastiche of innuendo from Pauline proof texts devoid of context. And it’s exhausting to remedially teach responsible biblical interpretation. 

So, I’ll just focus on one word of the New Testament which I doubt either of them are aware of. In all of ancient Greek literature, this word only appears in the New Testament and only in one setting: the Lord’s Prayer (Mat 6:11 and Luke 11:3).

Now, you’d think that a parallel Gospel text appearing in Matthew and Luke where Jesus teaches us how to pray would be exceptionally important to Bible idolators. But I’m sure they will deflect and divert and prevaricate per usual. 

Daily bread. Does any possible reader of this know what Greek word is used for “daily” in both Matthew and Luke? 

Let me help you out a little: it’s not the Greek for daily: ἡμέραν (hemeran), as in give us today (semeron) our…

Nope. Our “daily” bread in the Lord’s Prayer is…. ἐπιούσιον (epiousion). And since the word only ever occurs here, it’s difficult to know what exactly it means. But one cannot introduce ideas that escape the root, ούσια (ousia).

Ousia is the word for “being” or “substance of being.” And that just alone is provocative. Not DAILY bread. But the bread of “being”.

And putting this together with the prefix, ἐπι (epi; on, above, superlative) fills out the verse thus:

“Give us this day our super substantial/super being bread.” Our ton arton ton epiousion (our bread of super substance).

“Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.”

“Therefore let us keep the feast.”

But that’s just the Lord’s Prayer. No biggie. Jesse and Glenn can erase that pretty easily. They’re well practiced.

In the comments, though, you’ll find a link to a more respectful, attentive Reformed voice.

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What does Jesus really know, right? He didn’t start the Protestant reformation!

“Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:26-28)

“And he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after supper, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” (Luke 22:19, 20)

I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die (John 6:48-50).

Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me (John 6:54-57).

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes (1 Corinthians 11:26).

They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles (Acts 2:42-43).

Because the loaf of bread is one, we, though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf (1 Corinthians 10:17).