Food Of Paradise

Nunc quae sit illa ratio consideremus, quid sit istud quod cum mandatum daret homini, de illa admirabili beataque vita praescribens, ne contra faciens morte moreretur, de manducando et non manducando putaverit esse mandandum. Sunt enim qui putant nequaquam mandatum istud convenire coeli et terrae atque omnium Creatori; nequaquam dignum incolis paradisi, eo quod illa vita similis angelorum sit. Et ideo non terrenum et corruptibilem hunc cibum esui fuisse possumus aestimare; quia qui non bibunt, neque manducant, erunt sicut angeli in coelo. Cum igitur in cibo neque praemium sit, quia esca nos non commendat Deo; neque magnum periculum sit, quia non quod intrat in os, coinquinat hominem, sed quod exit de ore: videtur sine dubio a tanto auctore non esse praeceptum, nisi hunc cibum ad illum propheticum referas, quia pro magno praemio Dominus sanctis pollicetur suis: Ecce qui serviunt mihi, manducant: vos autem esurietis. Hic est enim cibus in quo vita definitur aeterna, quo quisquis fuerit defraudatus, morte morietur. Quandoquidem panis vivus atque coelestis ipse Dominus est, qui vitam dat huic mundo. Unde et ipse ait: Nisi manducaveritis carnem meam, et biberitis sanguinem meum, non habebitis vitam aeternam. Erat ergo panis aliquis de quo praescripserat edendum paradisi incolis. Quis ille? Accipe quem dicat: Panem, inquit, angelorum manducavit homo. Est enim bonus panis, si facias voluntatem Dei. Vis scire quam bonus panis? Ipse Filius manducat hunc panem, de quo ait: Meus cibus est ut faciam voluntatem Patris mei qui in coelis est. Sanctus Ambrosius Mediolanensis, De Paradiso, Caput IX  Source:  Migne PL 14. 294-295

Now let us consider the reason why He gave to man this commandment, prescribing the admirable and blessed life, concerning what he should and should not eat, lest acting contrary to it he die the death. There are indeed some who think that this command does not at all befit the Creator of heaven and earth and of all things, and that it was utterly unworthy of the inhabitants of Paradise, because that life there was like that of the angels. And thus we are able to judge that this food was not earthly and corruptible, because those who neither drink nor eat will be as the angels in heaven. 1 There is no merit, therefore, in food, because food does not commend us to God. Neither is there great danger in it, because 'What goes into the mouth does not defile a man but what comes out of his mouth.' 2 Without doubt, then, it seems that the precept is not from such a Creator unless you understand this food to be prophetic, because as a great reward the Lord makes this promise to His saints: 'Behold they who serve me shall eat and you shall hunger.' 3 This is the food that makes for eternal life, and whoever is deprived of it will suffer death. And the Lord Himself is the living and heavenly Bread which gives life to this world. Hence He says: 'Unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood you shall not have eternal life.' 4 There was, therefore, some bread, which was prescribed to be eaten by an inhabitant of paradise. And what? Understand when it says: 'Man ate the bread of angels.' 5 It is indeed good bread if you do the will of God. Do you wish to know how good the bread is? The Son of God Himself eats that bread, concerning which He says: 'My food is to do the will of my Father who is in heaven.' 6 Saint Ambrose, from On Paradise, Chap 9  1 Mt 22.30  2 Mt 15.11 3 Isa 65.13 LXX 4 Jn 6.50  5 Ps 77.25  6 Jn 4.34