The Kiss of Peace
St. Paul routinely directed the members of the Christian communities to
"greet one another with a holy kiss" [Romans 16:16, 1Corinthians
16:20, 2 Corinthians 13:12, 1Thessalonians 5:26, 1Peter 5:14]. This
was a visible sign of their unity and their common vision of love in Jesus
Christ. It was also an evocative reminder of Jesus' warning: "If
you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother
has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go;
first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift"
[Matthew 5:23].
A ritualized greeting of peace and reconciliation is found in the Eucharist
of all ancient churches. In the custom of the Armenian Church the
person offering the greeting inclines his head first to the right, and then
to, and the left of the person being greeted. The person offering
the greeting says Kreesdos ee mech mer haydnetsav or "Christ is revealed
among us." The one receiving the greeting responds, Ornyal
eh haydnootyoonun Kreesdosee, "Blessed is the revelation of Christ."
The Kiss of Peace reminds us of our personal responsibility to "live
peaceably with all" [Romans 12:18]. This is the necessary condition
for us to enjoy the blessings of the Divine Liturgy. We must ask ourselves:
"Does my brother or sister have something against me? What
can I do to restore peace in our relationship?" The Bible reminds
us: "If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar;
for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom
he has not seen" [1John 4:20]. All of this is summarized beautifully
in the Hymn of the Kiss of Peace [27]. Christ, the Son of God, is
revealed among us in the bread and wine. When we seal our love for
one another with the Kiss of Peace, and when we receive Christ in Holy Communion,
then Christ unites us in a bond of love and the Church becomes "one
soul." The task of creating "one soul" in the church
parish belongs to each one of us.
>> The Call to Attention: Let us Stand
in Awe
