Take, Thank, Break, Give

This is a "participatory" table grace in which all at the table take part in the ritual action:

Dear friends, stop now, and look at this food we are about to eat. Take a dish, each of you, and lift it as we give thanks to God…

Blessed are you, God of abundance, you who from the beginning have delighted in
creating food for all your creatures, who provide us each day what we need, and
who give us one another so we can rejoice together in your goodness. We give you
thanks and praise for the Son and the Spirit who give us life. We give you
thanks and praise for this food that you give us today. Blessed are you, O God! Amen.

And now, dear friends, take your portion of God’s bounty. Break it, tear it, cut it, spoon it. I give you this food not from my own hand, but from the hand of the one who has given it to me to offer. Take it with joyfulness, but also with mindfulness of those who still wait for their share. Ask God to give you a generous heart toward them. Take it now, and eat!


Commentary: I was particularly struck in reading John Burkhart’s article, “Reshaping Table Blessings,” by his mention of the four-part structure of Jesus’ last meal with the disciples: Take, Give thanks, Break, and Give. I am striving to extend my understanding of the sacramentality of all our living, even in the most ordinary of circumstances. This table grace is an effort to point out explicitly the sacramentality of a meal together among friends, so yes, the eucharistic overtones are intentional!