the place of honor

“He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table. “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor.” (LK 14: 7-8) 

We call this savoir vivre, customs of polite society. All of these were created by catholic society because of Our Lord’s rules based on love and respect. Many of us had a sort of “special training” as kids: how to shake hands with family members and strangers, how to answer politely, how to behave at the table using silver or when you can sit and how to sit when with adults. We had special classes when in the Seminary, sort of diplomatic protocol when welcoming or presenting groups of people on a variety of occasions. All of these sometimes complicated rules were based on one crucial rule—show your love and respect to others, stay humble, think more about others than about yourself. The societies based on these customs sometimes lost their Catholic identity, but as long as they kept respect and behaved as gentlemen, they keep the essence of catholicism. 

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.” (Gospel Acclamation)