From the Pastor,

St. Mark’s Church is a warm, friendly congregation.  Members come from many church backgrounds or no church background at all.  Some come from highly liturgical churches and some come from churches with a more loosely constructed service.

Churches that are liturgical, like St. Mark’s, extend what is called “The Peace.”  Although it seems like a break in the service, it is actually an important part of the liturgy.  We extend the Peace immediately after the Confession of Sin.  The Peace is included on a regular basis for reconciling with each other after we have confessed less than charitable or even negligent behavior in our relationship with God and each other.  We thereby prepare ourselves to offer God our gifts (offering), and to receive communion with clear consciences and pure hearts.  Extending the Peace tells the recipient that you are at peace with him or her, and it tells God that nothing stands in the way of presenting your gift or receiving the sacraments of Jesus’ Body and Blood.

A verse that informs our understanding of the Peace after Confession is Matthew 5:23-24:  “So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.”  Admittedly, being able to literally do this in the service would be awkward before extending the Peace, giving an offering, and then taking communion.  However, if in our hearts we ask God to forgive us for hurting another, or if we truly desire to be at peace with one we have hurt or one who has hurt us, then we are free to receive communion “worthily” as St. Paul instructs us in I Corinthians 11:27-32.  Our responsibility becomes one of going to the person soon afterward and reconciling.  It is like keeping a promise to God.

We are to receive Holy Communion for spiritual nourishment and to identify with the worship community.  If we are “out of communion,” it is incumbent upon us to find a way to reconcile whatever is an impediment for us.  We do this out of obedience to God and regard for the Sacrament, as well as Christ’s Body.

Extending the Peace of Christ sometimes seems like an occasion for visiting or conversation, but the actual intention is for drawing the Body of Christ into loving relationship.  Apparently Jesus knew (and St. Paul figured it out) that we are in constant need of setting things right in our lives. 

The holy season of Lent is fast approaching.  Ash Wednesday, which begins our Lenten journey, is on February 22.  Let us prayerfully, with humility, prepare ourselves during this reflective penitential season for restoring God’s Peace at St. Mark’s.

The Peace of the Lord be with you,

Mother Eileen+
The Rev. Eileen Weglarz