The future of the ecumenical movement will rely greatly on table manners, on where we recognize and honor Christ in the sacraments and how we recognize Christ in others.  -Sarah Howell

My wife and I spent a three day weekend in Vermont on a vacation that bookended my participation in the University of Vermont's Tolkien Conference.  I read a paper entitled: "'Their Fall is into Possessiveness': Possessiveness, Imperialism, and Colonialism in Middle-Earth" and if you contact me through Everyday Liturgy I will be happy to send a copy to you.

Staying in a bed & breakfast was a great treat for me.  We stayed at Elliot House in Shelbourne, VT, and upon entering we were promptly greeted with shortcake and tea.  At the mere mention of tea I fell in love with the place!  The shortcake was good, too. 

Over the weekend, we spent a good deal of time sitting in the kitchen or library of the old farmhouse talking to the owners or fellow guests, and this was often done over food.  I am still trying to "intellectually process" what was going on when strangers meet around a table with food, but my initial thoughts are the purely rustic: "it was thoroughly enjoyable and pleasant."

I had a blast just being with other people in hospitality.  Coffee and omelets do wonders to open up conversations, and you can learn so much as you pass salt and pepper shakers.

So what if they other guests in the hotel were just on vacation or planning a surprise party with loads of wine?  Jesus traveled a lot, and he supplied the wine for a celebration as well.  And to celebrate Christ we must celebrate him in all his wonderful complexity.  He is incarnate, he was a fisherman, a carpenter, a crucified person, a supernatural miracle, a sea-side cook, and a vitner.  Christ meets us in the sacraments, but he also meets us around the dining room table as well.  And the woods, and the arcade, and the concert hall.  The possibilities abound, and everywhere we look Christ is there, for he reigns. ... more