Homily 42 #

On the Same Day [Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent], a Homily of Our Holy Father Niphon, on How Orthodox Christians Ought to Eat at the Table in Silence

Once, as the venerable Father Niphon was walking, he saw a man sitting at table, eating with his wife and children, and with others who sat with him at the table. And he beheld, standing before them in the house, radiant young men clothed in white garments—just as many in number as there were people eating.

Now those eating were poor and humble folk. Seeing this, the servant of God was astonished and said: “Oh, what a wonder! What is this—that those who sit are poor and needy, and yet those who stand before them are clothed in splendid garments?” He could not understand it.

Then God revealed to him who these radiant youths were: they were the angels of God. For such is their appointed task—to stand before those who eat in silence during meals, as blessed ministers of God.

But when idle talk begins at the table—or impure speech, or slander, or blasphemies, or anything displeasing to God is spoken—or when someone begins to grumble against the food—then, just as smoke drives away bees, so do such unseemly words and wicked conversations drive away the angels of God from the table.

And when the angels of God depart, then the dark demons come in and sow every kind of evil among those eating. They pour forth a foul and stinking smoke upon them from the words spoken at the table and from their evil conversations.

After the holy angel revealed all this, Saint Niphon marveled and said: “Truly, the Apostle Paul writes and says: ‘Brethren, whether ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.’”

To our God be glory, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.