Peace Be With You?

I'd like to briefly address one of the most contentious issues related to Sunday morning worship. Though it always a rather sensitive topic, it becomes even more so during the winter months. Some of us are gung-ho about it, and wish we could do more of it... some of us generally go with the flow, not really caring one way or the other... and some of us are highly uncomfortable with it, preferring to eliminate it altogether.

I am speaking of that liturgical element commonly referred to as the passing of the peace. In my favorite British comedy, The Vicar of Dibley, the chair of the parish council complains in a pretentiously whiney tone, "Am I alone in preferring not to shake hands with the malodorous creature sitting in the next pew?" To which another council member guffaws, "Heh heh, I rather like that bit..."

I'm guessing that for many of us, the issue is less THAT we do it and more HOW we do it. Do we shake hands, do we hug, do we bow or wave, do we (horror of horrors) actually offer a biblical kiss of peace? Do we say "Good morning," or "Peace be with you," or "Hello"? And if we're ill or
generally uncomfortable with being touched by strangers, how do we communicate that without creating a disastrously awkward social situation?

The thoughts below may either clarify or complicate. Regardless, I offer them in a friendly spirit, with the disclaimer that I have not yet completed Emily Post's liturgical etiquette training...

- The intention is to somehow convey to your neighbors that you wish for God's peace to be with them.

- The gesture ought to be authentic to you, yet respectful of your neighbors' comfort level.

- Part of sharing "peace" entails not causing excessive anxiety regarding germs or other situations causing physical discomfort (overwhelming fragrances, gigantic bear hugs during flu season, etc.).

- The gesture is symbolic. Peace will still be upon those neighbors you don't manage to get to in the time allotted, I promise! But take care to intentionally seek out those who may be new to the community, those who you don't know all that well, and those who may tend to be overlooked during
this time.

In the end, of course... peace-perfect-peace is not ours to give, but rather ours to reflect as our deepest hope.  And it is this hope which we pass on to our neighbors.