Unpacking Our Faith: Why Do We Celebrate Mass? Discovering Its Power and Purpose (Week 8)

by Rev. Emmanuel I. Ihemedu  |  01/12/2025  |  Live the Liturgy

Do You Know the Origin of the Kiss of Peace at Mass?

The Lord’s Prayer, which begins the Communion Rite, reminds us of our shared dependence on God as His children. It leads us into the Kiss of Peace, a tradition deeply rooted in early Christianity.

As early as AD 150, St. Justin Martyr, wrote about the “holy kiss” exchanged after the prayers of the faithful. This gesture reflects our interconnectedness and the call to reconciliation. Jesus’ first words after His resurrection were, “Peace be with you,” a message we echo in the Sign of Peace as a final preparation for Holy Communion.

The tradition also draws from Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount: “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…” (Matthew 5:23-24).

The Sign of Peace is not a time to withdraw or remain indifferent. It is a sacred moment to overcome divisions, fears, and boundaries, fostering unity with one another and with God.

May this gesture break every form of division and make us truly one family in Christ. Amen!