I want to turn now to the Peace and our offering of it
to one another. The first thing I want to say is that the sharing of the Peace
during our service is a part of our continuing worship and not a brief
interlude between one part and another. The Peace is situated where it is,
immediately before the Eucharistic prayer, because it gives us the opportunity
to express our oneness in Christ before we receive the sacrament.
Sometimes, it can appear, at least to the untrained
observer, as anything but this. There is no need to say anything at this point
in our service other than ‘Peace be with you’, for this is what we are sharing.
It should not be an opportunity to enquire about each others health, comment on
the weather, exchange the latest news or assess the preacher’s sermon today. It
should be worshipful and directed to God through one another.
The Peace we are sharing is the Peace our Lord
promised us; that peace which is beyond our understanding and is such as the
world cannot give. It’s the Peace that binds us to our Lord and through him, to
one another.
It’s a Peace which has to be expressed equally to
everyone in the congregation, for all are equally in receipt of it. I know it’s
tempting and fulfilling, to go to our friends, or the people we feel especially
close to, or even to try to get to everyone, but that’s not really what it’s
all about. Maybe we should more often be looking to go to the people we don’t
know very well, or the people we seldom exchange the Peace with, or different
people every week.
Now I’m not in the least trying here to stifle
enthusiasm and expression. I think it’s good that we move about, that we shake
hands, give a hug or even a kiss. The sharing of the Peace should be a worship
activity which is characterised by energy and enthusiasm. But it should be a
worship activity, not an opportunity for gossip, tittle-tattle and trivia. All
of these things can be done after the service over a cup of tea or coffee.
Well, not gossip, because God doesn’t approve of gossip, but that is a time for
us to socialise, exchange information, and keep up with each others news.
Peace is the gift of Jesus to his followers. It’s what
he himself offered to them when he appeared after his resurrection. It’s what
he still gives us today as we meet together in his name. May our sharing of his
peace with one another be worthy of him. Amen.