Peace
“When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear…, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’”                      John 20.19 

            In the second century, a document called “The Didache” (did-ah-kay; did-ah-key) was written. It outlined the various ritual practices for the congregations of believers. One of those practices is “Passing the Peace”. This important ritual generally comes at the close of the prayer of confession and assurance of God’s forgiveness. In many churches, this becomes a loud and boisterous time as folks say hello and share pleasantries with one another. Yet, that is not at all “Passing the Peace”.  There are many places in the Gospels wherein Jesus reminds us that he is the peace that we need.  “I have said these things to you so that you may know that in me you will have peace.” (John 16.33)” Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” (John 14.27) After an extended teaching on how Jesus’ followers are to reconcile differences, Jesus reminds us that “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” (Matt. 18.20)
For the Church, Jesus is the One who comes to, in, and among us as the Peace of God present with us. In some congregational worship, the passing of the Peace comes after a time of confession and assurance of God’s forgiveness. In some congregational worship, the passing of the Peace comes as we prepare to gather at the Table of the Lord for Communion. Confession, assurance of forgiveness, reconciliation, and sharing the Peace of Christ. For centuries this has been a holy ritual that takes us deeper into communion and connection with one another, and with God. When we clasp hands or hug gently, we are sharing a reminder that we are together as the Body of Christ. We are participating in an ancient ritual intended to teach peace. We take the time to look into the other’s eyes and offer, “The peace of Christ be with you.” The response that we hear is, “And also with you.”
This is one of the ways that we practice peace so that we may bring that peace to the world. The world desperately needs that Peace we have been given to share. It only takes a few seconds, yet, by doing so again and again, we reinforce for one another the power and blessing of a mind – a life – that is centered on peace. Sharing the Peace of Christ with one another is a holy and powerful action. This is not a simple thing to do! That is why we do this sharing every week. So that we may become more comfortable and the actions of peace may become rooted in the marrow of our bones. When you clasp hands, do you look at those hands? Do you wonder how hands that are clasped in peace could ever be fisted in anger? When you offer those powerful words, do you look with mercy and grace into the eyes of the other? Do you offer the peace to children? Are they learning from you what to say and what to do? Do you seek out a visitor, someone you haven’t seen in a while, someone with whom you may have had unkind words? How might committee meetings, classes, social times be reordered by closing with the “Passing of the Peace”?
Conversation and catching up are best left for the fellowship time. We need peace. We need to share peace. We need to practice peace. We need to practice sharing peace with one another and the world. You might find it interesting to know that Judaism and Islam also offer the peace of God to others. In Hebrew the phrase is: “Shalom Aleichem” (Peace be upon you) and the response is: “Aleichem Shalom” (Unto you, peace). In Arabic the phrase is: “As-salamu’alaikum” (Peace be upon you), and the response is: “Wa alaikum salaam” (unto you, peace). Peace is what most all of humanity craves. Let it begin with us.
May the Peace of Christ be with you…