As we prepare to regather, one of the changes in our liturgy is that we will not be able to exchange the peace by hugging or shaking hands. We still need to maintain physical distance for everyone's safety. It's an odd truth that the loving and peaceful gesture is to actually stand back! However, exchanging the peace is a very important part of our liturgy, and we can do so in a holy, reverent, and meaningful way.
Exchanging the Peace is an ancient ritual in many cultures, often done with an embrace and a kiss. So, in a sense, our handshake of peace has already reframed the ritual! Any time you see Paul's words, "Greet one another with a holy kiss" in the New Testament, he is referring to the exchange of the Peace.
We exchange the Peace in the Eucharist after we confess our sins and before we break bread together. It is a sign of reconciliation and unity. So, how do we continue to honor this sign and greeting safely? Some have suggested to use a bow or a wave, but that's not quite what the Peace is. The namaste gesture from Hindu-centric cultures is close. However, early on, somebody suggested American Sign Language!
The gestures are easy and quite profound. The word "Peace" in ASL is actually two signs together - Become and Quiet. How interesting that Peace means to Become Quiet? I think of it is a quieting of the soul where we find that Peace that "passes all understanding" in the words of our final blessing taken from Philippians 4:7.
So, whether you with us online or in person this Sunday, check out this video from St. Paul’s in Ventura, CA to learn how to share the Peace in ASL. When the time comes, we can use ASL to share the Peace with one another and know that we are speaking a language of love the names the Power of God to come into the rockiness of our lives and quieten the noise so that we can be still and receive the divine presence.
Blessings Always!
Dirk+
Peace be With You - In ASL!