Your Dinner Table is An Altar, So Treat It Like One (VIDEO)

Part of my work, besides just doing television and radio, is giving a lot of talks and leading trips. One of the places I lead a retreat (I know it is kind of strange) is in Napa Valley. It's a very difficult life I lead, I realize that!

But seriously, why do I do that? I do it because it is part of community. Did you know that Napa valley only grew in its fame because our Catholics, like religious monks, brought their vines there? And did you know further, that the only reason it continued, even during the prohibition, was because we as Catholics use wine to celebrate our Lord's love for us?

What do I mean by religious experience?

I think people forget that food is a religious experience. Let's look at the word religion. It can either come from the etymology of the word religare—to offer something up—like the word relegate, as you would relegate responsibility. Or it comes from the word religere, which means to be bound together. For example, I am a faithful, religious Baltimore Ravens fan, which means in good times or bad, I am their follower.

I think what we need to do as a CatholicMatch community is to talk about how food is a religious experience. Food brings people together. And good food gives you an opportunity to expand your friendship. Whether your invitation on a date will lead to something further, the food is at least expanding your horizons and helping you see beyond yourself; it is helping you realize that you are not alone.

Ask yourself this question:

So here is a really important question to ask yourself.  When was the last time you were invited over to someone's house for dinner?  Or, when was the last time you invited a friend over for dinner?

If it has been a while, then I think what you need to do is learn how to cook! Or, be one of those guests who says "I will bring something to the table to share."

Remember, food is a great religious experience and if we can celebrate the food in our life, we will experience a real communion of friendship around the domestic church's altar, which is your dinner table. So, I hope you have a religious experience with the next meal you make.