An ode to the 1pm Lunch table

Everybody had “their” lunch table in high school.

I had one, you had one — everybody had their table. Sometimes those tables were accused of being cliques, or childish, or even boring. Why eat with the same people everyday? That’s so high school.

By college, that somewhat disappears as people have varying schedules, different food options, there’s less consistency. That’s how it was for me —  until this year, when I found the 1pm lunch table.

It started early this semester, when a friend and I sat down with two guys we somewhat knew at 1 pm. We chatted and laughed for a full hour and then parted ways.

The next afternoon, my pal and I walked into the caf (the dining hall) at the same time and there were the same two guys. Once again, we sat together, laughed and began to learn each other’s stories more intentionally.

Day 3 came, and once again we sat together. At this point, it had become expected, and thus the 1pm lunch table was born. The table began to grow as more friends began showing up and sitting with us. What began with four guys, has blossomed into 12 or more, drawn in by a vibrant, lighthearted community.

Everyday, many of us attend the 12:10 Mass together and then heads to lunch, where we sit for an hour catching up, laughing, poking fun of each other, and just enjoying each other’s company.

Somedays serious discussions enthrall the table, where we discuss philosophy or debate theological questions. Other days, it’s just guys being guys making fun of receding hairlines or how somebody won’t ask a girl out.

There’s nothing newsworthy about this lunch table. It’s quite simple. Yet in an age where everybody is running around from one class to the next, constantly checking their phones or consumed by social media, it’s refreshing to have an hour a day where life stops and becomes simple.

At the 1pm lunch table, we have an hour to sit with our brothers, catch up, and share a meal. An hour to be human by talking about complex issues, sharing lighthearted jokes, or making a few (usually) tasteful insults.

Sharing a meal with someone else is so human, it rejuvenates the soul, it brings joy, it builds relationships. Sure, having a lunch table sounds high school, or clique, or whatnot. But when that lunch table is filled with a group of guys that laugh with you, encourage you, push you to be better, that’s a true gift.

Find yourself a 1pm lunch table, it will make lunch, and life, that much better.

By Jack Figge