A nod for a handshake. . .

The lasting effects of a post-covid view of things will likely mean that the sharing of the peace will change.  The old practice of shaking hands had already degenerated into what one called the holy howdy in which friendliness and hello replaced the more solemn "peace be with you."   Some longed for the day when it was gone and others are now longing for its return.  So what are we to do?

I wonder if this might be a teaching moment.  The whole emphasis of the peace was not a delayed liturgical hello to those who we know and those we have met only just now.  It is a rather substantial greeting built upon the gift of forgiveness received from the Lord and now extended formally and liturgically to those around you.  Perhaps before we rush to stick out the hand we ought to teach again what it means to extend the peace of the Lord.

Christian worship is filled with profound actions and postures that reflect words: heads bowed in prayer, arms raised in praise, standing in reverence during a Scripture reading, coming forward to give an offering, and so on. Surely the ancient practice of passing the peace falls into this category.  The sharing of the peace is something rooted in Scripture and reflects the fact that the peace of the Lord is not simply vertical but extends throughout our relationships together (Matt. 5:9; 2 Cor. 5:20).  Sharing the peace is not a recent invention but a more recent restoration of that old practice.

From the beginning Christians have practiced together what they received from the Lord.  “Peace be with you” is the greeting Jesus Himself used with his disciples (Luke 24:36; John 20:19, 26) and it is a formula closely associated with His resurrection. We read how the apostle Paul opened each of his letters with the words “Grace and peace be with you” (Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:3; 2 Cor. 1:2).  While some continue to place this greeting just after the Pax Domini and just prior to receiving the Lord's body and blood, it was our practice to place the greeting of peace right after the absolution -- further reflecting its role not as a welcome or hello but truly an extension of Christ's own forgiveness.  The people who have received from Christ His gift of forgiveness, then turn to their neighbors, grasp their hands, and speak the words, “The peace of the Lord be with you” and receive the words in turn, “And also with you.”  At least that is what we did prior to COVID.  The gesture is simple enough but it hides a more profound meaning and one which the Church has spoken of extensively (Col. 1:20-21).  Our fellowship in the Body of Christ has always been associated with postures and gestures (Eph. 2:14-21).

However, how we do this will inevitably change.  We have had a year or more to be suspicious of a hand outstretched.  Even if some are willing to jump right back into the old normal, others are rightfully hesitant.  Things have changed and one of them is the whole idea of personal space and preserving its integrity.  The worst thing we could do would be to restore a practice that many people are unwilling or uncomfortable with doing.  How would that advance the cause if some stuck their hands out and others either refused to shake it or looked as if they did not want to do it?  It sort of defeats the whole purpose.

There might be another way out.  Perhaps the exchange of peace could be restored but the accompanying gesture changed.  Could it be that a nod of the head or even a reverent bow of the body would be appropriate as a substitute for shaking hands?  A nod of the head or slight bow certainly has liturgical precedent behind it.  Remember here that the original greeting of peace was more likely a holy kiss or embrace and not the shaking of hands.  Could it be that the patting of an arm or touching of the upper arm could replace the shaking of a hand?  There are a few options that might be considered.  But I would suggest that the key here is to connect this with what happens at the altar.  

When the pastor says:  "The Lord be with you," his hands are extended out in ancient greeting posture.  Though it is not typical for the folks in the pew to emulate his hands as they say in return "And also with you," it could be.  In sharing the peace as you say the words, eye contact and extended arms that mirror what the pastor does at the altar could convey just the right impression.  Then, as the person echoes that gesture back to you, you then bring your hands back to your heart again and sightly bow your head, acknowledging the gift with gratitude -- again the way the pastor does at the altar as you say back to him:  "And also with you."

Perhaps this could rescue the sharing of the peace from its devolution into a holy howdy and enable us to restore its place within the Divine Service as a holy gesture signifying an uncommon and gracious gift.  You think about it and I will, too.