A “Teaching Moment” shared during a recent Sunday worship service offered some insight on the Passing of the Peace. As most realize, every action in our worship together has thelogical meaning behind it and the particular placement or timing of each action within the liturgy is of equal importance.
The Passing of the Peace is immediately preceded by our Prayer of Confession and the receiving of Absolution. Through Confession, we admit (i.e. confess), with all humility, our shortfalls and sins - those “things done and left undone” – and seek God’s forgiveness. The Absolution follows whereby we are, indeed, absolved (forgiven) of our sins and assured of God’s mercy and grace. Now, having been forgiven and being at peace with God, we are ready to stand and offer that same grace to our neighbors.
Thus, when we say, “The peace of the Lord be always with you” we declare that not only are we in right relationship with God but also, that we desire to right any wrongs between us, to forgive each other, and, thereby, be at peace and right relationship with each other. Why is this important? Because we do not receive the Holy Communion simply as individuals, but rather, we receive it as a community: as the body of Christ.
Of equal importance, St. Paul says (I Cor. 11:17-29) that before we receive communion we must have made peace with God and each other. In other words, in order to receive the true sacramental benefits of the Eucharist, we must have made every effort to resolve all differences between God and our neighbors and, perhaps, even our own selves. Then, having received (and offered) forgiveness, and being at peace with God and our neighbor, we can, as Hebrews 4:16 affirms, “come boldly unto the throne of grace.”
The Season of Lent will begin in a few short weeks and is the perfect time to examine our hearts and minds to see where we might be estranged from God, our neighbors, each other, and, perhaps, even from our own selves. Lent urges each of us to ponder and ask ourselves if there is anything within us, any conflict or concern with each other, or some barrier between us and another member or neighbor, between us and God, that might interfere with receiving communion and going forth to serve in this community.
As always, the Rite of Reconciliation (i.e. Confession) is always available to help clear the conscience, receive godly counsel, and with all confidence, enable you to turn and “pass the peace”with God and neighbor.
May the peace of the Lord be always with you!
Yours in service to the Gospel
Allan +
The Passing of the Peace is immediately preceded by our Prayer of Confession and the receiving of Absolution. Through Confession, we admit (i.e. confess), with all humility, our shortfalls and sins - those “things done and left undone” – and seek God’s forgiveness. The Absolution follows whereby we are, indeed, absolved (forgiven) of our sins and assured of God’s mercy and grace. Now, having been forgiven and being at peace with God, we are ready to stand and offer that same grace to our neighbors.
Thus, when we say, “The peace of the Lord be always with you” we declare that not only are we in right relationship with God but also, that we desire to right any wrongs between us, to forgive each other, and, thereby, be at peace and right relationship with each other. Why is this important? Because we do not receive the Holy Communion simply as individuals, but rather, we receive it as a community: as the body of Christ.
Of equal importance, St. Paul says (I Cor. 11:17-29) that before we receive communion we must have made peace with God and each other. In other words, in order to receive the true sacramental benefits of the Eucharist, we must have made every effort to resolve all differences between God and our neighbors and, perhaps, even our own selves. Then, having received (and offered) forgiveness, and being at peace with God and our neighbor, we can, as Hebrews 4:16 affirms, “come boldly unto the throne of grace.”
The Season of Lent will begin in a few short weeks and is the perfect time to examine our hearts and minds to see where we might be estranged from God, our neighbors, each other, and, perhaps, even from our own selves. Lent urges each of us to ponder and ask ourselves if there is anything within us, any conflict or concern with each other, or some barrier between us and another member or neighbor, between us and God, that might interfere with receiving communion and going forth to serve in this community.
As always, the Rite of Reconciliation (i.e. Confession) is always available to help clear the conscience, receive godly counsel, and with all confidence, enable you to turn and “pass the peace”with God and neighbor.
May the peace of the Lord be always with you!
Yours in service to the Gospel
Allan +
RSS Feed