Chapter 41: The times for community meals

The principle is that the superior should manage everything so prudently that the saving work of grace may be accomplished in the community and whatever duties the community undertakes they may be carried out without any excuse for murmuring. (From para. 1 of Ch. 41 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

Within the context of designating appropriate mealtimes, St Benedict states an amazing principle, that everything should be managed so prudently that the saving work of grace may be accomplished in the community. I don't think it's a coincidence that St Benedicts puts this principle forward in reference to mealtimes. In a community or family, mealtimes share a distinction with community prayer, in terms of being a condition necessary for life together in the Spirit.