"Peace Be With You"

Back in college, a Theology teacher of mine recounted how he would wince when strangers greet him "Peace" during that portion in the mass. 

For him, the greeting should be predicated by two things. First, that greeter must be in a quarrel with him. Hence, the greeting of peace is taken as an apology or an act of forgiveness on the part of the greeter. Second, that greeter must be known to him. Otherwise, the greeting of peace becomes illusory, a token act by an otherwise disinterested co-participant in the mass.

It took me a while to realize that his premises were wrong. First, we greet each other not because we have a grudge in need of a resolution. We greet because we are modelling Jesus Christ. It is our belief that in acting out as Jesus did eons before, we become channels in bringing His peace to others. 

Interestingly enough, for most people, the greetings of peace become self-fulfilling prophecies. But that's something for another post.

The second prerequisite has more meat though. Often times, through force of habit, we greet each other sans the sincerity of the act. Too often, the greeting becomes mechanical and obligatory. The life is drained away by routine and familiarity. 

I do not have an easy answer for this. But one way I can respond is by becoming more authentic in doing the greeting regardless if the recipient is a stranger, a friend, or a family member.

The Lord's peace be with you.