Hand Holding and Shaking

[John_Hiner]

The Catholic Week
Official Weekly Publication of the Achdiocese of Mobile
March 16, 2007

The pope said, " I have asked the competent curial offices to study the possibility of moving the sign of peace to another place in the Mass, such as before the presentation of the gifts. To do so would also serve as a significant reminder of the Lord’s insistence that we be reconciled with others before presenting our gifts to God."

Although not a “magisterial document,” moving it as the Pope suggests would solve one of your issues.

I agree. Please note, that by saying this, the Pope is confirming that the present placement of the Sign of Peace is not a reminder of the injunction to settle with the brother. If it is moved to before the offering, then it will serve this purpose.

If it is moved, it will fairly have its current meaning, plus the additional reminder. However, even if this happens, the reminder should not be taken for a symbolic substitute for the act itself.

Thank you for the citation.

Spiritus Sapientiae nobiscum.

John Hiner

 

[Brendan]

The meaning of the Sign of Peace doesn’t change based on your posture during the Our Father.

The idea behind the Sign of Peace is Christ’s command to us to Leave there thy offering before the altar, and go first to be reconciled to thy brother: and then coming thou shalt offer thy gift. (Matthew 5:24).)

Judith,

You have a misunderstanding about the Kiss of Peace. It is specifically NOT a sign of Matthew 5

Redemptionis Sacramentum

1. The practice of the Roman Rite is to be maintained according to which the peace is extended shortly before Holy Communion. For according to the tradition of the Roman Rite, this practice does not have the connotation either of reconciliation or of a remission of sins, but instead signifies peace, communion and charity before the reception of the Most Holy Eucharist.151 It is rather the Penitential Act to be carried out at the beginning of Mass (especially in its first form) which has the character of reconciliation among brothers and sisters.

It is the Confetior ( “I confess to Almighty God AND TO YOU MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS…”) that is the reconcilliation between ourselves.

If the Kiss of Peace was meant as a sign of reconcilliation, it would happen BEFORE we offer our gifts (offetory) NOT afterwards.

And also, it is an extention of Christ’s Peace that we offer each other, not our own.

If it was meant to happen

 

[BobP123]

I’m sorry but I do not find handholding between two grown men appropriate. And definitely distracting.