Sign of peace...

[ComradeAndrei]

I find it odd and sad that some of my fellow Catholics have a hard time wishing peace to their fellow parishioners. If we can’t even do this without acrimony, how can we be expected to be Christ in the world to those in need? Christ asked us to love one another, didn’t he? I would forgo your sense of “distraction” and accept that this has been part of the liturgy since early early on and use it as an opportunity to show charity to our brothers and sisters in Christ.

You imply that we who are not in favor of this option are cold and uncaring. I don’t have to press flesh to be caring or love other folks.

 

[hilde_the_dog]

I don’t really if we have or not. At a daily mass I attend one guy closes his eyes and does not utter a word. Other people will just say peace be with you and nod or give you the peace sign. That I could do without, this ain’t 1970.

 

[hilde_the_dog]

I just realized why did the poll not have “Don’t Care One Way or the Other”

 

[tizzidale]

Well, I’m a newb when it comes to Catholic worship, so I’ll just state my peace and be done. I love the Sign of Peace. I attend by myself, and I’ve never been ignored by those around me. It isn’t distracting to me, and in fact is a wonderful part of the Mass in my opinion.

rusty

 

[DaughterSorrow]

You imply that we who are not in favor of this option are cold and uncaring. I don’t have to press flesh to be caring or love other folks.

Not all but some comments did sound cold and uncaring. Or at least thoughtless. Basically, the attitude that maybe long ago the sign of peace was OK because you knew those people - but nowadays you dont know the people in mass makes it OK to ignore your fellow parishioner during the the communal part of the liturgy. My point is - what does that matter? Why not offer peace to one another? We are your brothers and sisters in Christ. Maybe if we didn’t think of germs, clammy hands and that a “stranger” is next to us, we could look into our neighbors eyes and share the love of Christ while in Mass together.

Just my 2 cents.

In respect and peace,
DS

 

[ComradeAndrei]

Not all but some comments did sound cold and uncaring. Or at least thoughtless.

I think we are looking at it on two different levels. I personally don’t mind it for the most part, as long as it is proper and sober and not a whole bunch of syrupy nonsense. That being said, I’d still limit it by quite a bit.

Basically, the attitude that maybe long ago the sign of peace was OK because you knew those people - but nowadays you dont know the people in mass makes it OK to ignore your fellow parishioner during the the communal part of the liturgy.

The whole Mass is communal on a far higher level than shaking hands or other feel good things. The Mass unites us with the whole Church Militant, the Church Suffering and most sublime of all, the Church Triumphant in the worship of the Holy Trinity. This fact alone blows away any temporal aspect of “community”. How many people dwell on this and see how truly great Holy Mass is?

My point is - what does that matter? Why not offer peace to one another? We are your brothers and sisters in Christ. Maybe if we didn’t think of germs, clammy hands and that a “stranger” is next to us, we could look into our neighbors eyes and share the love of Christ while in Mass together.

It matters because it tends to be overdone and in the wrong spirit. Granted, there are bigger fish to fry, but that doesn’t mean such things can be allowed to fall through the cracks.

 

[MariaG]

I LOVE IT!

But that is probably because I do not see it as “glad handing” or other such things.

It brings to mind for me, the words that Christ first said to the Apostles after He rose from the Dead.

John 20:21 He said therefore to them again: Peace be to you. As the Father hath sent me, I also send you. 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive ye the Holy Ghost. 23 Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.

I was told by an Evangelical pastor, (so I do not know if it is true or not, but I still think about it this way), that in some Eastern Rites, they don’t say Peace be with you, but “Christ is Risen” and the response is “He is risen indeed”.

This is how I view it. Celebrate! Peace! Christ is Risen!!!

So I absolutely love it. I would be deeply disappointed if this were ever dispensed with on a regular basis.

God Bless,
Maria

ps I also love that scripture and the words “Peace be with you” because of the gift of Reconcillation that Christ was giving us and it reminds me of this sacrament as well:thumbsup:

 

[BlyssfulDreamer]

I guess I wouldn’t mind it so much if it was a nod of the head, a smile and a “Peace be with you.” This is flu season now and since many people do not have the good sense to stay home when they are ill, I am leary of shaking hands with a person who has just sneezed in their hand…and then have them extend their hand to me to shake.

:heart:Blyss

 

[FloridaPhil]

Many of you posters need to lighten up!! If not a handshake; why not a fist to fist tap? Especially if you’re worried about germs or being exposed as nervous or self concious.

I’ve witnessed and exchanged so many smiles with even absolute strangers. The feeling is uplifting, light and endeering. We’re reminded that there is great joy in spreading smiles. We’re suddenly reminded that we’re all “family”; not just standing individuals indifferent and unconnected to those around us.

I always begin with a quick kiss if my wife is next to me. The folks in our parrish are always eager to shake and smile and are genuinly glad to see each other.

If totally stressed out by it; offer it up and do it for God, do it for others who may really look forward to it. There are many lonely people out there who it means alot to. We are meant to serve others. What a great and easy opportunity.

Graces will return to you. You will notice immediately.

 

[FloridaPhil]

I LOVE IT!

But that is probably because I do not see it as “glad handing” or other such things.

It brings to mind for me, the words that Christ first said to the Apostles after He rose from the Dead.

John 20:21 He said therefore to them again: Peace be to you. As the Father hath sent me, I also send you. 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive ye the Holy Ghost. 23 Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.

I was told by an Evangelical pastor, (so I do not know if it is true or not, but I still think about it this way), that in some Eastern Rites, they don’t say Peace be with you, but “Christ is Risen” and the response is “He is risen indeed”.

This is how I view it. Celebrate! Peace! Christ is Risen!!!

So I absolutely love it. I would be deeply disappointed if this were ever dispensed with on a regular basis.

God Bless,
Maria

ps I also love that scripture and the words “Peace be with you” because of the gift of Reconcillation that Christ was giving us and it reminds me of this sacrament as well:thumbsup:

Yes, we are participating in a joyous celebraton with family!

 

[fix]

I think we are looking at it on two different levels. I personally don’t mind it for the most part, as long as it is proper and sober and not a whole bunch of syrupy nonsense. That being said, I’d still limit it by quite a bit.

The whole Mass is communal on a far higher level than shaking hands or other feel good things. The Mass unites us with the whole Church Militant, the Church Suffering and most sublime of all, the Church Triumphant in the worship of the Holy Trinity. This fact alone blows away any temporal aspect of “community”. How many people dwell on this and see how truly great Holy Mass is?

It matters because it tends to be overdone and in the wrong spirit. Granted, there are bigger fish to fry, but that doesn’t mean such things can be allowed to fall through the cracks.

Too often it seems to turn into sentimentalism and emotionalism which I believe is partly why so many abuses occur in the mass today. It is about what we “get out of it” on an emotional level only.

 

[ComradeAndrei]

Too often it seems to turn into sentimentalism and emotionalism which I believe is partly why so many abuses occur in the mass today. It is about what we “get out of it” on an emotional level only.

Exactly, and that is NOT what Mass is about. If people are so gung-ho on “building community” on a visceral level you can do that the other 23 hrs. of the day.

 

[HailMary]

In the Chaldean and Maronite rites, the sign of Peace comes from God, through the Priest, to the alter servers, and finally to the people. The alter servers come to each row and put their hands out like they are praying and we cover their hands and pass it to the next person. This is not optional; it is indeed the peace of Christ.

 

[CarolAnnSFO]

In the Chaldean and Maronite rites, the sign of Peace comes from God, through the Priest, to the alter servers, and finally to the people. The alter servers come to each row and put their hands out like they are praying and we cover their hands and pass it to the next person. This is not optional; it is indeed the peace of Christ.

That sounds really nice, and very reverent!

**Crazy Internet Junkies Society
**Carrier of the Angelic Sparkles Sprinkle Bag
Pace e Bene

 

[robertaf]

I’m one of the lucky ones. I belong to a parish that shakes hands at the beginning of Mass, does “Peace be with You” and holds hands during the Our Father. By the end of Mass, the people sitting around me are like family.

A case of OCD might come in handy.

I am a lucky one too. We live in a pretty large but also very friendly parish in a rather small town. We greet each other with a smile and warm words in the parking lot, in the vestibule and by the time we enter the Church we know our Christian family is back together as a Community to celebrate Mass.
We are also diverse. Some folks choose not to hold hands or to turn to offer a sign of Peace. Others shake hands and still others hug. It is the same during Holy Communion. Some receive on their tongue, others in the hand. We simply do not **expect **everyone to be the same. We love and embrace each and every one.
When you see the variety of ministries in our Parish, you can see the diversity. We have everything from the Legion of Mary to Prison ministry to Hospice to the Charismatic Prayer group and many, many more. They are all mainstream ministries in our parish and all held in high esteem. However, each one attracts Catholics with different Spiritual needs.

In light of that, I do not see why anyone would dread any part of Holy Mass. Every second of Mass is good. If you choose not to share the sign of Peace, just continue to stand facing forward with you hands folded. Or simply smile at your neighbor and say Peace be with you. How much can that hurt?

Maybe being an old broad and a cancer survivor, I just don’t see any value in “sweating the small stuff”.

 

[ncjohn]

Too often it seems to turn into sentimentalism and emotionalism which I believe is partly why so many abuses occur in the mass today. It is about what we “get out of it” on an emotional level only.

And just as often it’s about symbols that we find meaningful in approaching God. Those symbols may speak differently to you than to others, but that doesn’t make them invalid, nor does it mean that it’s just an emotional “doing what feels good to me” situation at all.

While there may indeed be some of that, most of us tend to do what we feel is most pleasing to God, or do something in a way in which we feel more connected to God. That will vary between different people based on many factors.

It doesn’t make one more or less invalid, it just makes them different. Getting all judgmental about why YOU think other people are doing things, or dismissing them because they are symbols that don’t speak to you, might be nothing more than failing to remember that we have a God of infinite wisdom and knowledge with the capability of relating to each and every one of us in a different way.

I tend to personally express it exactly as I think it is meant: as a wish for each of my brothers and sisters to feel the peace of Christ in the same way I wish to. There are some days I am more or less successful at that. If it went away tomorrow, I wouldn’t be crushed, but while it is there I will take that opportunity to express that wish. It isn’t about “building community”; it’s about wishing peace to all and letting it begin with me.

Peace,

 

[wisdom_3_5]

I didn’t used to mind it, but its become a bit of a problem for us right now. Our daughter, 7, is VERY VERY social. She loves people and tends to go overboard during the sign of peace, wants to shakes everyone’s hand (even two pews away!). Mostly people think its cute, but I want her focus to be on Christ on the altar, not on herself and other people. She is getting better though.

I like bowing or just a nod of the head. I also like the idea of doing it at the beginning of mass instead of in the middle of the Eucharist.

 

[fix]

And just as often it’s about symbols that we find meaningful in approaching God. Those symbols may speak differently to you than to others, but that doesn’t make them invalid, nor does it mean that it’s just an emotional “doing what feels good to me” situation at all.

I am not saying that part of the mass is wrong. I am saying it has become misunderstood and misused which is why I hope for a reform.

While there may indeed be some of that, most of us tend to do what we feel is most pleasing to God, or do something in a way in which we feel more connected to God. That will vary between different people based on many factors.

Yes, and emotionalism is the wrong basis. Emotions need to be controlled by the intellect.

It doesn’t make one more or less invalid, it just makes them different. Getting all judgmental about why YOU think other people are doing things, or dismissing them because they are symbols that don’t speak to you, might be nothing more than failing to remember that we have a God of infinite wisdom and knowledge with the capability of relating to each and every one of us in a different way.

I do not think it is a great leap of logic to conclude that the sign of peace, in many places, has become a form of glad-handing and terribly superficial. Are all those who have concerns also viewing reality incorrectly? When the priest comes down from the alter to shake hands and folks ask each other how the game was last night or make each other giggle that is what the Church authentically desires?

I tend to personally express it exactly as I think it is meant: as a wish for each of my brothers and sisters to feel the peace of Christ in the same way I wish to. There are some days I am more or less successful at that. If it went away tomorrow, I wouldn’t be crushed, but while it is there I will take that opportunity to express that wish. It isn’t about “building community”; it’s about wishing peace to all and letting it begin with me.

Peace,

I think the lady from the eastern rite gave a good example to follow. I hope the authorities agree.

 

[robertaf]

Hmmm. The Church feels differently. Otherwise, Mass wouldn’t begin with you asking for the forgiveness of your fellow worshippers.

I confess to almighty God,
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have sinned through my own fault,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done,
and in what I have failed to do.

One must keep in mind the concept that we are all part of the mystical Body of Christ. Even my private sins harm and stain my fellow Christians.

It is a cultural expression that replaced the historical “Kiss of Peace” where we actually kissed those around us. I suppose we could go back to that.

We most often harm those close to us. When one thinks of the family as the first Church, isn’t this where we need the most reconciling?

I’ve never thought it an advantage to be removed from my fellow worshippers in the preeminent communal worship of our Church.

Move to Japan. This is what they do.

Thank you for your fine posts. I have to agree with you, completely.
I wonder if Jesus would have refused the hand of anyone at the Last Supper? I wonder if any person at that Last Supper would have got up and stood by a door to keep from participating with each other? Am I wrong in believing that one of the Apostles even emraced our Lord during that Supper?
Am I wrong in believing that that Supper was indeed, the first Mass?

How would any one of us fit in during that Mass, with our various attitudes?

Again thank you for your level headed posts.

 

[tpraines]

Haven’t posted in a while and thought I would chime in!

These are all very good points and I an thankful that everyone is sharing.

I personally feel that it is in the wrong place during the Mass. I find it very disruptive in most parishes, especially when the celebrant comes off the altar and engages the congregation (which they are not supposed to do!) I believe it is a symbolic gesture. You cannot personally request reconciliation (Peace) with every member of the body of Christ so you turn to the member of the Body of Christ to your left and to your right with a simple sign of Peace and move on with the rest of Mass in reverence. (Sadly enough, the same people who go up and down the row of pews at the Sign of Peace are the same ones to leave people stranded in the parking lot with a flat tire! True story, but that is another day!) Nothing is more distracting than the congregation getting out of the pews and socializing at this point in the mass. I have been in some churches that I was so stunned at the noise, that I simply knelt down in prayer and begged Christ’s forgiveness for turning this portion of the sacrifice of the Mass into a 5 minute intermission!

Should it be eliminated - NO! Just reformed a bit to bring everyone back to a more reverent posture during Mass and in doing so rekindle and strengthen the belief in the real presence.

By the way, I knee for Communion as well. If everyone truly believed in the Real Presence of Christ, wouldn’t we crawl on our bellies in humility to receive Our Lord? Thank you Jesus for saving me! Please make me worthy of your gift!