The farmhouse stands proud atop a slight hill just north of a small village in west-central Ohio. It has sheltered descendants of the same family for over 150 years. A mother, father and seven children currently inhabit the home, the same number as the generation that preceded it.
            This afternoon, the living room floor—worn planks of white oak—is strewn with toy frogs, plastic dinosaurs and a plush palomino pony.
            Due to recent remodeling of the kitchen, the corners of the room are stacked with boxes of cooking utensils, hammers, duct tape, dish cloths and rosaries, along with cook books and story books at multiple reading levels, all of which indicate the functions of any family kitchen: mess hall, study hall, chapel and emergency repair shop.
            I’ve been invited to join the family for supper which, I am told, will conclude with homemade rhubarb pie. Then I’ll have the noble privilege of blessing the new and enlarged kitchen, the heart of this home that brims with joy, gratitude and the shrill squeals of incipient sibling rivalry.   
            The father sends one of the boys outside to fetch a twig which I'll use to sprinkle holy water around the refurbished kitchen and dining area.
            We gather between the sink and the back door and commence the rite with the Sign of the Cross, but only after assuring the youngest child that, yes, he will have an opportunity to carry the branch after his sister has her turn.  
            Below is the prayer that we offered amid smiles and shoves and shuffling feet. May it serve as a blessing for your kitchen as well!

A KITCHEN BLESSING

Lord, bless these cupboards
stacked with spoons, bowls, plates
pots and pans.
For, indeed, you once fed thousands
with five loaves and two fish
received from a child’s hand.

Lord, bless this refrigerator, stove and oven.
As you cause dough to rise with flakes of yeast,
may joy and banter lift the spirits
of all whose bodies are nourished
with food from this kitchen.

And bless this sink, dish washer and towels.
Help us wash our souls of leftover sins and infractions.
Help us savor your blessings
and not waste the grace and food that you provide.

Lord, bless this room where this family dines.
Transform this table into an altar of daily offerings
of heartfelt love, tender smiles
and wise instruction
in the ways of virtue, faith and mercy.
 
May this family follow your example
of sharing fellowship with your friends
and washing their feet.

May the children of this family perceive in the food
provided and prepared for them
signs of your love, goodness and blessing.

May they never forget that the Eucharist,
the greatest of all Sacraments,
was instituted at a table like this one.

May they know that they cannot live
on bread alone,
but on every word
that comes from your mouth.

Most of all, grant this family the grace to recognize your presence
with them, elbow-to-elbow, at this humble table
as did disciples in a roadhouse
outside a town called Emmaus.

Lord Jesus, you are the Bread of Life, we adore you.
You are the Cup of Salvation, we acclaim you.
You are the Savior of the world and all creation worships you.

Bless this kitchen, this dining room and all the rooms in this house.
Unite as one the family that lives in this home.
Join them in bonds of enduring love
and grant them happiness and peace
all the days of their lives,
through Christ, our Lord. Amen.