Chapter 43: Late-comers for the work of God or in the refectory (paragraphs 4-5)

In the refectory all must come to table together so as to offer their grace together as one community. Any, therefore, who through carelessness or some other personal fault do not arrive in the refectory in time for grace should simply be corrected until after the second occurrence of this failure. (From para. 4 of Ch. 43 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)

Food, thanksgiving, community. Benedict reinforces the shared humanity and community of mealtimes, and, for me, this experience itself is a grace. However, in my life and, so it seems, in the culture, this communal experience has become less frequent. So I must remember in the moment of grace before meals how I am connected to all creation.