Taking care in the kitchen

Rule of St. Benedict

Chapter 31 – the cellarer should look on the vessels and goods of the cellar as if they were consecrated vessels of the altar.

There is challenge there for me. As a sacristan, I am privileged to prepare the vessels for consecration at the altar and then to clean and prepare them for the next Eucharist after the mass has ended. We treat them with respect, care and reverence (except when the wine goblets are in the dishwasher) at all times. We wash, dry and polish them with deliberation and with the recognition they are intended to contain the most presence essence in the universe.

 The dishes that are waiting for us in the sink are not quite as well cared for as the Eucharistic vessels and there is a lesson there for me to learn. Those dirty dishes are meant to contain nourishment for a temple created by God to contain a Soul that is loved by God and through his grace will be saved by the Holy Spirit. If I can keep that in mind then perhaps I will come just a little closer to the challenge from Benedict to give reverence to God in and for all that we do all the time.