Is the Sign of Peace phoney?

[Pup7]

Pup7:

Rob2:

Regarding hygiene , when we had no option other than to receive Communion on the tongue you could taste the nicotine from a certain priest’s finger as he put the host into the mouth , his finger touching one’s tongue .

Not very hygienic .

That is likely the nastiest thing I’ve heard all day. And I’m a nurse.

I was in my teens , an altar server , @Pup7 , when this priest was a curate in the parish .

As a teen I wasn’t too fussed about it , but the fact that I can now remember it quite vividly indicates it made an impression on me .

The memory influences me today when I have the option of receiving Communion directly on to my tongue or in my hand

I bet. So. Gross.

What’s even more incredible is when you think about the number of people back then who walked around like that - my own dad included - and most of us didn’t think twice about it. Surely all of us who lived with a smoker smelled somewhat like it, yet I never remember complaints or even noticing it.

Back to the thread.

 

[Pup7]

Thank you for sharing this. When I attend Latin Rite mass, I find the Sign of Peace to be a bit uncomfortable for me and I haven’t really liked it. This gives me a different perspective.

Seeing her did for me too - and the fact that she went out of her way on Monday to tell me how happy that little thing makes her made me think she must not have many “outsiders” who take a minute or two for her.

We might be the only person acknowledging someone else on that specific day. As tiny as it is, the SOP just might make a difference to someone.

Maybe that’s silly, but someday I might be that little lady in the pew alone.

 

[ShowersofRoses]

That’s not silly at all. I think many of us, maybe the majority, often feel alone. I think it’s so wonderful of you to have seen her and reached out. I wish more would do that.

I know how much little gestures like that mean to me now. I can only imagine how I’ll feel when I’m the little old lady.

That’s why it bothers me when so many express a revulsion to just reaching out and shaking someone’s hand or giving a hug to someone who looks lonely.

Those little gestures of love are when Jesus can reach out to others through us. We’re to be His hands and feet. I wish more people understood that, instead of worrying more about germs or their comfort level.

 

[LisaB]

Responses in this thread illustrate that many people don’t know or understand that the ritual is symbolic and is not intended to be a “feel good” outreach moment during Mass. This may be why people think it’s phony- the meaning of the ritual is buried so deep that it’s not even obvious to the faithful themselves. Maybe the priests should explain the meaning more so everyone knows what it is, and equally important, what it is not.

 

[Pup7]

Responses in this thread illustrate that many people don’t know or understand that the ritual is symbolic and is not intended to be a “feel good” outreach moment during Mass. This may be why people think it’s phony- the meaning of the ritual is buried so deep that it’s not even obvious to the faithful themselves. Maybe the priests should explain the meaning more so everyone knows what it is, and equally important, what it is not.

We actually do get that.

Next time you see a lone little old lady looking around at the empty pew behind her when it’s time for the sign of peace, I hope you realize what perspective we’re coming from.

Symbols can still - and as a rule do - channel emotions. It’s why my heart skips with a flag waving in the wind and why the sight of the bald eagle amazes me; it’s why when I hear the Air Force Song or the National Anthem I actually choke up a bit.

Symbols carry emotions. We’re people, not automatons. I for one would prefer a “feel good” moment in the midst of a symbolic action over just an auto response.

 

[ShowersofRoses]

Symbols carry emotions. We’re people, not automatons. I for one would prefer a “feel good” moment in the midst of a symbolic action over just an auto response.

Love this post so much.

 

[LisaB]

If a good feeling happens to accompany a symbol, great. But if one goes looking for that good feeling or is disappointed when they don’t get it, the meaning of the ritual or symbol becomes less obvious. An American flag is the same symbol whether you get choked up or not. You wouldn’t fly the flag just (or even primarily) because it makes you feel good, you’d fly it because you want to honor and respect the country it represents (I assume that’s why people fly flags, I’ve never understood why Americans love to display the flag quite this much). In the same way, if one wants to give or receive a sign of peace because it makes them feel good, then the meaning of the ritual is lost. That said, I’m neither a feelings person nor do I attend OF Mass, so I doubt I will ever understand what people like about the SOP. Looking from the outside in though, I can certainly see why someone would think it’s phony unless the meaning is explained to them.

 

[tad]

I had a fellow parishioner in the store earlier this week. We had a nice chat about our new pastor, and it was clear to me that any sign of peace that we might have shared at mass wasn’t phony. We have a real and visible communion. That said, I live, work and worship in the same neighborhood, so Catholicism for me really is a community thing. I see my fellow parishioners around quite a bit, most invariably when I’m buying a nice bottle of liquor at the grocery store.

I was taught to take the SOP sincerely. Obviously some mass goers are more into it than others, but I mean it when I say ‘God’s peace’, or ‘Peace be with you’. As others have said, the SOP is only as phony as you make it.

 

[Wesrock]

As to whether particular person’s sign of peace is phony, that’s on them. The sign of peace itself symbolizes the body of christ coming together to make peace with its members, making peace with our brothers before making an offering at the altar, before going up to be one in Communion. It’s up to us as individuals to make that real in our lives.

 

[lilypadrees]

Not phony at all. Helps to promote good will.

 

[Diaconia]

In the Divine Liturgy used by Eastern Christians (Orthodox and Catholic) only the clergy exchange the sign of peace amongst themselves. Many people don’t even notice it as they are behind the iconostasis.

The exchange is, “Christ is among us,” and the other cleric responds, “He is truly among us.”

It happens after the Liturgy of the Word is completed, and the Catechumens are dismissed.