At my dentist’s office this past week the hygienist complained about the common Sunday morning ritual of greeting everybody.  She was especially appalled at the possibility of rapidly transferring germs to so many, so quickly.  As a pastor of course I was asked about this practice.  I noted that historically this was really the ritual of passing the peace of Christ … something with great significance.  I went on to explain that the best method of passing this peace was to look another eye to eye and say "the peace of Christ is yours this day" and make sure every person heard this at least once.  She thought this a fine idea until I reminded her that scipturally this was accompanied by a full kiss on the lips (Paul repeatedly says "greet one another with a holy kiss."  See Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26. Also see Peter’s commending us to "greet one another with a kiss of love.  See 1 Peter 5:14.) … suddenly shaking hands seemed like a far better idea!

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