Pucker up for Peace

Romans 16:16— "Greet one another with a holy kiss"

I Corinthians 16:20— "Greet one another with a holy kiss"

II Corinthians13:12 — "Greet one another with a holy kiss"

I Thessalonians 5:26 — "Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss"

I Peter 5:14— "Greet one another with a kiss of love"

As you can see there are five references in the New Testament to the holy kiss or kiss of love. Not surprisingly there is a long tradition of laying a chaste smooch on a brother or sister in Christ in the Roman Catholic and Orthodox communions, along with others. Don't worry, this is not an innovation which I'll attempt at Bridge St.



It did come to mind when I read about the removal of a novel called Borderlife from a list of recommended books in Israeli schools. It is about the love between a Muslim and a Jew and apparently this would be a harmful subject for young minds. The result is a protest in the form of a video showing Muslims and Jews kissing in ways than are definitely more intimate than one might expect in church.

Still, the notion of a kiss, holy or otherwise, includes vulnerability and intimacy and openness. The "protest" is a lovely one and breaks down prejudices and barriers. Take a look:

http://www.cbc.ca/books/2016/01/watch-arabs-and-jews-kiss-to-protest-book-removal-from-school-curriculum.html