A
dear friend from our college days surprised us with a visit for worship
yesterday morning while on his way through our small town. It was great to see
him and to catch even the few brief minutes we had for conversation. At the end
of the day there were, of course, the requisite reflections on his visit on
Facebook…including a comment from our friend about the “Sharing of the Peace-a-palooza”
which is a part of our practice.
Just
to explain: the sharing of the peace of Christ takes a few minutes in this
place. I know that some of the liturgical purists would find it overdone (while
the pathologically introverted almost certainly find it horrifying), but the
folks here seem to enjoy leaving their pews and warmly greeting one another as
sisters and brothers renewed by the grace of the Savior. It is noisy and a bit
chaotic, and visitors are certainly not ignored in the process. Hence, our dear
friend’s comment.
I’ve
wondered at times (liturgy nerd that I am) if we haven’t gotten a bit out of
hand. But the pastor in me is loathe to rein it in. There are so few places in
this world where folks of all stripes and means are genuinely welcome or where
they might be joined in true community. The Church, it occurs to me, must always
be that place…even if it’s a bit messier than we would like. There’s a
missional aspect to this, too. Our identity as Christ’s disciples is
undergirded to great degree by that “mutual conversation and consolation of the
saints” (thanks, Brother Martin) which affirms that, as we are Christ’s, we are
also members one of another (and thanks, St. Paul). From simple things like
sharing the peace with a hug, a handshake and a good word comes the strength to
bear God’s grace outside the walls of the congregation’s building…confident
that we do not stand alone, but are borne up by the rest of the baptized in
witness to the world which God seems determined to reconcile.
Self-justification
for our existing practice? Maybe. But I’m willing to take that risk if the
peace-a-palooza in here means a more faithful and engaged presence “out there.”
