A
Apryl
Guest
But this is the problem: When people go beyond saying “Peace be with you” to their neighbors so that the moment takes more like 5 solid minutes, it’s a distraction.For as long as I have remembered attended my first mass, I enjoyed saying to my neighbor (person standing next to me in mass) “Peace Be With You”. Please do not take this away.
I am so glad you came into the Church.
As a Cradle Catholic, I recall visiting Church (we didn’t go regularly), and the Sign of Peace was something we did with those around us. Today, when it’s time for the Sign of Peace, I see people going up one side of the Church, down the other, sharing grocery lists, making plans for lunch/dinner and then some. When it’s time for the “Lamb of God”, there is continued conversation, which bleeds over nearly to the time for us to kneel for Communion.
I agree that the Sign of Peace is a beautiful action and it does help us to prepare for the Sacrament of Eucharist, but the sad thing is that PEOPLE have taken away that beauty. The priest can address it, but when it’s during the Mass and the ravelry goes on, how can he address that during that time? Since it’s a problem, because it’s been/being abused, I think it may serve us all better to remove the moment from the Mass.