Table Grace - Part 6

Given the wonderful variety of belief systems found in the Common Tables family, it is no surprise that our collection of meal time blessings continues to grow. Here are a couple more from our collection - one Catholic and one from the Book of Common Prayer (Anglican):

Bless us O Lord, and these thy gifts,
Which we are about to receive, from thy bounty,
Through Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.

Catholic

Give us grateful hearts, O Father,
for all thy mercies, and
make us mindful of the needs of others;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen..

Book of Common Prayer (1928)

Table Grace - Part 5

It has once again been about a month since we shared some of our favorite table blessings from our interfaith collection. Today we offer an example from the website of the Pantheist Association for Nature:

"As a suggestion, here’s what we do for supper:

We place a small vase of fresh flowers (a token of Nature’s beauty) on the dinner table.
We light a candle (a symbol of warmth and lasting life).
We sit around the table and hold hands (an act of love, sharing, and closeness).
Then, for a few moments, we engage in a silent grace (quietly giving thanks and treasuring life, each in our own way).

After 15 or 20 seconds, we release hands and dive into dinner."

Pantheist

Table Grace - Part 4

It has been a month since we last shared some of our favorite table blessings from our interfaith collection. Today we offer an example from the Eastern Orthodox Tradition and one from Swami Paramananda:

O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us! Lord, cleanse us from our sins! Master, pardon our transgressions! Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy name's sake.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Lord, have mercy! (3 times)

O Christ God, bless the food and drink of Thy servants, for Thou art holy, always, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Eastern Orthodox

May the Lord accept this, our offering, and bless our food that it may bring us strength in our body, vigor in our mind, and selfless devotion in our hearts for His service.

Swami Paramananda

Table Grace - Part 3

This month's table grace comes to us from the Buddhist tradition.

(serving the food)
In this food I see clearly the presence of the entire universe supporting my existence.

(looking at the plate of food)
All living beings are struggling for life.May they all have enough food to eat today.

(just before eating)
The plate is filled with food. I am aware that each morsel is the fruit of much hard work by those who produced it.

(beginning to eat)
With the first taste, I promise to practice loving kindness. With the second, I promise to relieve the suffering of others. With the third, I promise to see others' joy as my own. With the fourth, I promise to learn the way of nonattachment and equanimity.

(after the meal)
The plate is empty. My hunger is satisfied. I vow to live for the benefit of all living beings.

Buddhist