Bulletins
June 19, 2016
Download the Bulletin as a PDFOfferte vobis pacem.
“Let us offer each other the sign of peace.”
Before we talk about what we do after those words are said at Mass, let’s look at what precedes those words.
“The peace of the Lord be with you always.”
Pax Domini sit simper vobiscum.
Even more, before that, the priest says “Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your apostles, ‘Peace I leave you, my peace I give to you.’ Look not on our sins but on the faith of your Church and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will. Who live and reign for ever and ever.”
This past Sunday you might have heard me observe that this gesture is not an expression of personal affection but a solemn profession that “I have received peace from the Lamb of God. He died for my sins. His blood has atoned for my transgression. I have reconciled with Him. The peace that I enjoy with Him... His peace which I have received through the mediation of the Church, I offer to you.”
St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430) comments on the sign of peace in Sermon 227:
Then, after the consecration of the Holy Sacrifice of God, because He wished us also to be His sacrifice, a fact which was made clear when the Holy Sacrifice was first instituted, and because that Sacrifice is a sign of what we are, behold, when the Sacrifice is finished, we say the Lord's Prayer which you have received and recited. After this, the 'Peace be with you’ is said, and the Christians embrace one another with the holy kiss. This is a sign of peace; as the lips indicate, let peace be made in your conscience, that is, when your lips draw near to those of your brother, do not let your heart withdraw from his. Hence, these are great and powerful sacraments.
St. Peter and St. Paul so often conclude their epistles with the request, “Greet one another with a holy kiss” (Rom 16,16; 1Cor 16,20’ 2Cor 13,12; 1Thes 5,26; 1Pet 5,14)
Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen!
Rev. Christopher J. Pollard
