Saturday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/102911.cfm


When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet,
do not recline at table in the place of honor.

The Willamette River and Falls

...when you are invited,
go and take the lowest place
so that when the host comes to you he may say,
"My friend, move up to a higher position."


Perhaps it is surprising that the Lord teaches his disciples table etiquette. Shouldn't such details be left to lesser teachers? Isn't etiquette below the grand schemes of the Gospel? 
But etiquette has an important place in our faith. Saint Columbanus, the ferocious Irish missionary who invaded Europe with his monks, set up monasteries in a half-dozen areas and spelled out rules of behavior for his followers, including

He who speaks while eating, (will be punished) with six strokes. And the man whose voice carries from table to table, with six strokes; if he has sent a shout from the house out of doors or from outside into the house, with twelve strokes.

These European louts needed discipline and Columbanus was just the man to do it! For his complete rule, go to http://catholicforum.fisheaters.com/index.php?topic=1127127.0


The family table is where civilization is born and the Gospel is learned. Jesus, who presides at every Mass and should preside at every Christian table, requires courtesy, generosity, sacrifice and attention to the needs of everyone. No one goes  hungry at his table unless everyone does! No one speaks without listening to others, and everyone has a place. 
Though customs may vary from one to place to another, as to how to handle a knife, fork, spoon or chopstick, there are nonetheless rules of behavior for everyone. 


Old guys like me suffer sleepless nights when we hear that many children have never eaten a meal at their family table. It's hard to imagine -- but I'm told it's true -- that in some households the television is left on during the meal. And both children and adults use their cell phones during a meal! And some people arrive late for a meal and leave early, without begging pardon of the whole family. There's not enough room for all the exclamation points!!!! Surely these are infallible signs of our national decline. 


God's holy people will always sit together to eat and drink, to listen and talk and practice their virtues of generosity, reverence, courtesy and attention to one another. Etiquette will remain forever as a sign of holiness for all the world to admire and emulate.