Grace At Meals (2)
GRACE AT MEALS
A short prayer, imploring the divine blessing on our food, and expressive of gratitude to God for supplying our necessities. The propriety of this act is evident from the divine command, 1Th 5:18. 1Co 10:31. 1Ti 4:5. From the conduct of Christ, Mar 8:6-7. From reason itself; not to mention that it is a custom practised by most nations, and even not neglected by heathen themselves. The English, however, seem to be very deficient in this duty. As to the manner in which it ought to be performed, as Dr. Watts observes, we ought to have a due regard to the occasion, and the persons present; the neglect of which hath been attended with indecencies and indiscretions. Some have used themselves to mutter a few words with so low a voice, as though by some secret charm they were to consecrate the food alone, and there was no need of the rest to join with them in the petitions. Others have broke out into so violent a sound, as though they were bound to make a thousand people hear them.
Some perform this part of worship with so slight and familiar an air, as though they had no sense of the great God to whom they speak: others have put on an unnatural solemnity, and changed their natural voice into so different and awkward a tone, not without some distortions of countenance, that have tempted strangers to ridicule. It is the custom of some to hurry over a single sentence or two, and they have done, before half the company are prepared to lift up a thought to heaven. And some have been just heard to bespeak a blessing on the church and the king, but seem to have forgot they were asking God to bless their food, or giving thanks for the food they have received. Others, again, make a long prayer, and, among a multitude of other petitions, do not utter one that relates to the table before them. The general rules of prudence, together with a due observation of the custom of the place where we live, would correct all these disorders, and teach us that a few sentences suited to the occasion, spoken with an audible and proper voice, are sufficient for this purpose, especially is any strangers are present. Watts’s Works. oct. edit. vol. 4: p. 160. Law’s Serious Call, p. 60.
Seed’s Post. Ser. p. 174.
Fuente: Theological Dictionary
grace at meals
(Latin: gratios, thanksgiving)
Prayers said before and after meals, a custom common to all Christians . The prayers implore the divine blessing upon the food and upon those who are to partake of it, and express gratitude to God for the food, which is His gift.
Fuente: New Catholic Dictionary
Grace at Meals
In Apostolic times St. Paul counsels the faithful: “Whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever else you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). This precept did not cease to be observed. “Before taking nourishment”, says Clement of Alexandria, “it is fitting to praise the Creator of all things, and it is fitting also to sing His praises when we take as nourishment the things created by Him” (Paed., II, iv). Tertullian, a contemporary of Clement, shows us the Christians of the beginning of the third century making the sign of the cross on taking their places at table (De cor. milit., iii). “Our repasts”, says he , refering to the Agape, “are in nothing vile or immodest. We do not recline until we have prayed to God. In like manner prayer concludes the feast” (Apol., xxxi). Christian archaeology has collected a large number of cup-bases on which may be read a short prayer, e. g. “Drink in Christ”, “Drink piously”, “To the worthiest of friends, drink and live with all thine and in thy turn make a toast”.
One of the most ancient formulae of prayer at meals is found in a treatise of the fourth century, attributed without foundation to Saint Athanasius. Having made the sign of the cross, the prayer followed: “We give Thee thanks, our Father, for the Resurrection which Thou hast manifested to us through Jesus, Thy Son; and even as this bread which is here on this table was formerly scattered abroad and has been made compact and one, so may Thy Church be reunited from the ends of the earth for Thy Kingdom, for Thine is the power and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Apart from its intrinsic interest this formula possesses a certain importance because it reproduces in part the formula of the “Didache”. The prayer said on raising from table is a little longer: The merciful and compassionate Lord has given nourishment to those who fear Him. Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, now and forever and throughout the ages. Almighty God and Our Lord Jesus Christ, whose name is above all things, we give Thee thanks and praise Thee because Thou hast deigned to give us a portion of Thy goods and nourishment for our body. We pray and beseech Thee to give us in like manner heavenly nourishment. Make us fear and reverence Thy law and Thy terrible and glorious name, and grant that we may never disobey Thy precepts. Write in our hearts Thy law and Thy justice. Sanctify our mind, our soul, and our body through Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ Our Lord. To Whom with Thee belongs glory, dominion, honour, and adoration for ever and ever. Amen.
It is not difficult to find examples in the writings of the Fathers of the Church, in the collections of canons, and in the liturgical books, notably in the Gelasian Sacramentary and the Bobbio Sacramentary (Muratori, “Liturgia Romana vetus”, I, col. 745; II, col. 949).
In the Roman Liturgy the Benedicite and the Graces are compositions in which Psalms cxlix and xxxiii are utilized, several versicles being omitted. From the most ancient times Psalm xxxiii has been pre-eminently the communion psalm. At the midday meal Ps.1 is recited, in the evening Ps. cxvi. The origin of these formulae is monastic, hence the pious commemorations of benefactors.
On the chief liturgical feasts: Easter, Pentecost, etc., a selection of verses recalling the solemnity of the day is substituted for the formulae in use at ordinary times. See also THANKSGIVING.
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H. LECLERCQ Transcribed by Joseph P. Thomas In memory of Mrs. Silvia Michael
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume VICopyright © 1909 by Robert Appleton CompanyOnline Edition Copyright © 2003 by K. KnightNihil Obstat, September 1, 1909. Remy Lafort, CensorImprimatur. +John M. Farley, Archbishop of New York
Fuente: Catholic Encyclopedia
Grace At Meals
was customary among the Jews (Lightfoot, Horae Hebr. on Matthew 20:36), and forms are contained in the Talmud (Berachoth, 7). Numerous examples occur in the New Test., and early Christian writers abundantly confirm the practice (Chrysostom, Homil. 49; Clemens, Alex. Paedag. 2:4, 44, 77; so also Tertullian, Cyprian, and others). Examples of forms occur both in the early Eastern and Western churches, and the Gelasian Sacramentary sets forth quite a number. See Smith, Dict. of Christ. Antiq. s.v.
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Grace At Meals (2)
a short prayer at table, imploring the divine blessing, and expressing thanks to God for the food he has provided. The propriety of such an act is evident both from the scriptural injunction (1Co 10:31) and from the example of our Lord (Mar 8:6-7).