Give us this day our daily bread.

In one form or another this has undoubtedly been my most common prayer.

But it is generally asked as, "Give me... " and I ask for something that goes well beyond today's physical needs.

In Luke's version of the prayer (Luke 11:2-4) we read, "Give us day by day our daily bread." Which I read as further emphasis on receiving no more than is needed for this day.

Give us what we need, but no more. Do not tempt us to an illusion of self-reliance derived from bulging grain bins, bank accounts, or 401(k)s.

I have regularly said these words. I have often meant the essential opposite.

Above is a triptych from the Rothko Chapel. I intend to illustrate every third meditation with a work of Mark Rothko.