Anyone who does not come to table before the verse, so that all together may say the verse and the oration and all sit down to table at the same time -- anyone who through his own carelessness or bad habit does not come on time shall be corrected for this up to the second time. If then he does not amend, he shall not be allowed to share in the common table, but shall be separated from the company of all and made to eat alone, and his portion of wine shall be taken away from him, until he has made satisfaction and has amended. And let him suffer a like penalty who is not present at the verse said after the meal. And let no one presume to take any food or drink before or after the appointed time. But if anyone is offered something by the superior and refuses to take it, then when the time comes that he desires what he formerly refused or something else, let him receive nothing whatever until he has made proper satisfaction.

Symbolic separation is Benedict's most common sanction.

Part of the purpose is to induce shame, contrition, and correction.

In many cases the sanction is also an intentional reflection of the monastic's thoughtless act.

In being late to prayer or meal and in refusing to join in the shared work of the community, the monastic is separating him or herself from the community.

The sanction offers an opportunity to empathetically reflect on the unintended, but nonetheless real implications of one's thoughtlessness.