Trapped in a Pew!

At the end of hockey games (and most sporting event I believe) the players walk across the field and shake hands as a sign of good sportsmanship.  In our worship services the people walk across the aisles and shake hands as a sign of sharing God’s peace with each other.

This tradition is centuries old.  Jesus greeted his disciples in Luke 24 by saying, “Peace be with you."  That is not the only occurrence. And then Paul continued the tradition in his letters.  And now churches do it today.

Through the years this has not been my most favorite part of worship as an introvert who is encouraged to leave the comfort of my own pew and reach out to others with a simple handshake and those words:  "God’s peace be with you."  However, it has grown on me as I have forgotten about myself and thought about what those words convey to others.

This past Sunday during the passing of God’s peace, I was trapped in my pew.  There were, of course, people in front of me and behind me in their pews; but this time there were people at both ends of my pew sharing the peace with each other and with me.  At first I thought - how do I get out of this pew!  Then I thought - this is a pretty comforting feeling to be hemmed in by God’s peace.

So I share God’s peace with you now.  May you feel that deep sense of peace in the chaos around you.  May you share it with others in worship and in your every day life.  How about with your children before they leave for school?  Maybe with a friend as you part company for now?  Maybe with a store clerk after he tells you to have a good day?  The options are limited only by our own ability to step outside the box of only sharing God’s peace during worship.