should the priest address this in homily?

[jimmybadie]

During mass our priest does not tell the congegation to offer each other the sign of peace. But the people do it anyway. Isn’t this wrong? I think he doesn’t do it because he views it as a disruption. Is this a lack of respect for the priest and his role as presider of the mass?

 

[Fr.Charles_Grondin]

The exchange of the sign of peace is an option, it is not a required part of the Mass. Some parishes eliminate the exchange of the sign of peace during cold and flu season.

The reason that some people still exchange the sign of peace even when the priest or deacon doesn’t announce it is because they are simply used to doing it. When you’ve been doing something your entire life its sometimes just instinct to do it at the time your customarily do it.

I’m sure the priest knows that people are still doing it out of habit, its hard to not notice it happening. If he feels the need to publicly address it I’m sure he will…