The practice of Passing of the Peace began reappearing in congregations in the 60s and 70s but has its origins in the early Christian Church. In the letters of Paul there are several references to greeting one another with "a holy kiss" (Rom 16:16 ; 1 Cor 16:20 ; 2 Cor 13:12 ; 1 Thess 5:26; 1 Pet 5:14 ). In the worship of the early church this took on a specific function in the liturgy. Usually it occurred after the sermon or just before the distribution of communion. Its function was to visibly demonstrate that all who were present were welcome, one in the faith and that no sin stood in the way of their unity with God in Christ.

Of course, over time the actual kiss of peace has given way to either a handshake or an embrace. The purpose, however, is the same: a visible demonstration that we are members of the one body of Christ. Because we have been reconciled to God through Christ, we therefore are also reconciled with one another.

What it is not is simply a time to say "howdy" to every-one, or to talk about what you'll be doing after church. The purpose of passing the peace is to respond to the Good News of God’s reconciling love by demonstrating that we are members of Christ's body. It can be uncomfortable for some, but it can have some tremendous benefits. Consider this: what if you don't want to share the peace with the person sitting in front of you because you are mad at that person for something they did to you or said about you? The fact that you don't even want to shake hands with that person would suggest that indeed there is a need for reconciliation to take place. The passing of the peace helps us to move in that direction so we might live together as one community in the peace of God.

Tom Hart