Holy Kiss

Early in the morning Moses went up Mount Sinai as the LORD had commanded him, taking along the two stone tablets. Having come down in a cloud, the LORD stood with Moses there and proclaimed his name, "LORD." Thus the LORD passed before him and cried out, "The LORD, the LORD, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity." Moses at once bowed down to the ground in worship. Then he said, "If I find favor with you, O Lord, do come along in our company. This is indeed a stiff-necked people; yet pardon our wickedness and sins, and receive us as your own." (Exodus 34:4B-6, 8-9)

Yes, we are a stiff-necked people with most of us being unwilling to acknowledge and shed our biases or to at least understand the other opinion.  Teacher Larry Brown writing in the Cape Cod Times (May 29) Ideas & Opinion Section offered a useful perspective: A friendly exchange between the left and the right.

He began his piece by saying, “Back in February, I heard from a local Republican who made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.  Could we share our thoughts ‘in a civil manner without emotions hijacking our intelligence. I think,’ David wrote, ‘I could learn and understand better some of the positions that you take – and maybe you might learn something from me and why I think the way I do.”  Brown did a good job explaining why our necks should loosen and then turn to see and hear the other person even if we strongly disagree. 

I admit I can be stiff-necked. We all must be less like statues and more like flexible Gumby.  Our eyes cannot see the entire picture when we wear blinders.  We mask ourselves from our own wickedness and sins.

Our second reading is: Brothers and sisters, rejoice. Mend your ways, encourage one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the holy ones greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. (2 Corinthians 13:11-13)

This reading emphasizes the first and gives us pause.  We are to mend our ways, encourage and agree with one another.   Well, only if we are not so stiff-necked.  Agreeing may not be possible unless it’s agree to disagree, especially with politics and even faith.  Kisses are unlikely, even when kisses are meant to be holy.

The challenge is for us all to accept the kiss of peace.  That’s what makes it holy.  Living in peace and with understanding and tolerance is our charge.  So, let’s pucker up.

Deacon David Pierce