Just recalling what my former Theology teacher had to say about the Sign of Peace, the part in the mass where you greet each other peace.
He personally didn't have anything against this rite. But he couldn't stand the general public's blind adherence to it. For instance, I automatically greet the person on both sides, regardless of who he or she is, "Peace be with you." For my teacher though, it's nonsensical: Why say that to total strangers? Do I have a grudge against them that I need to greet them with such words?
I think what he's trying to impart is that we should mean what we say. The phrase "Peace be with you" isn't a common expression and is intended only for a select audience. It's basically reserved for people like family or friends you have feuds with. Strangers, on the other hand, probably don't care if you wish them peace and it does appear insincere for me to wish the same thing for someone I never know.
I'm not discouraging you though to stop greeting your neighbor, "Peace be with you." But I do hope you agree with my teacher's tenet that words must be uttered consciously and not thrown around in robotic fashion.
No comments:
Post a Comment