for Koinonea

“The Peace of the Lord Be with You”

Remember those excruciating days, just following the adoption of the present Book of Common Prayer, so many years ago now, when the Exchange of the Peace was a solitary affair? Episcopalians, not having adapted yet to the idea that they might even speak to just anyone who showed up in their church, were certainly not about to touch them—even in a handshake! Sadly, there are some congregations one could point to, even in our own diocese, where that attitude remains largely in force. In many, however, it has been replaced by an opposite practice, which nevertheless indicates that we still don’t understand the purpose of the Exchange of the Peace in our liturgy any more than we used to. I am referring to those places where the Peace sets off a melee of hugging and kissing, catching up on news, making plans for later, and general social interchange among those in the congregation who are friends. The greeting offered is, as often as not, “Good morning!” or “How are you?” and one finds, upon inquiry, that the congregation is rather pleased with itself over how friendly and welcoming they have become. But they are no closer to passing “Peace 101” than their frosty neighbors.

The Exchange of the Peace occurs at a key moment in the Eucharistic liturgy, that miraculous couple of seconds when we have just confessed to God our sins and omissions and have received God’s amazing and liberating forgiveness. In that moment of grace, we are uniquely able to wish upon others, whoever might be near us, known or unknown, that same divine peace we have received. And it is God’s peace we exchange, not ours: it is important to acknowledge that fact by mentioning him in our greeting. The ability to do this is crucial to our participation in the Great Thanksgiving which follows (and, on another, but related subject, the connection between these two elements illustrates why creating a chasm between them by inserting “announcements” is an unfortunate intrusion.) We’ve been taught that our liturgy consists of two parts, Word and Sacrament. But we need reminding that those two parts make one event, and the flow from one to the other should not be disrupted. Likewise, the Passing of the Peace should not be allowed to become such a hoopla that the true climax of the celebration, the sharing of Christ’s Body and Blood, becomes diminished. Presiders are right when, however hesitantly, they intervene to call the congregation back to order for continuation of the liturgy we’ve all come for.

To those congregations who believe a boisterous Peace shows how friendly they are: no it doesn’t. It accentuates to the guests just how out of it all they are, and to the introverts just how socially deficient the others consider them to be.
The mature congregation is one in which the Peace is kindly and freely exchanged with everyone adjacent to each worshiper, with a smile, a handshake, or even a light embrace, as locally appropriate. When few are present (say, under 20), it is fine for all to greet everyone else, with no omissions. It is also important for the nearest ones to move around to greet those who have seated themselves somewhat apart from the pack, and to make sure they include those near them that they don’t know (but not for everyone in a larger group to congregate around the one new family like a pack of Chihuahas on a pork chop!)

As for setting off a general hub-bub of social interaction, we have another set of trigger words for that. They come at the end of the liturgy, after the blessing and concluding hymn, and the dismissal: the people say, “Thanks be to God!”