Saturday 18 April. Song 103 ‘Put Peace into each other’s hands’
Words: Fred Kaan / Music: John Bell © Hope Publishing Co / Panel on Worship  
YouTube recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VI_sd5A-h8
Featured image: from image-generator.com

This five-verse song by Fred Kaan is a gentle one, intended for use at the ‘sharing of the Peace’ at Holy Communion (indeed, the third verse refers specifically to sharing bread, and the fourth to ‘shaping your hands into a waiting cradle’ and the ‘gift of Christ’). The footnote in Common Ground suggests it is also suitable (probably without those verses) for an act of reconciliation. As usual with John Bell, the melody in Scottish style and 3:4 time is simple but very memorable.

In many churches (including my own) the ‘Peace’ has become a challenge of how many members of the congregation one can shake hands with in a few minutes before the worship group starts singing the next song: a reverse variation of ‘musical chairs’. But sometimes, at least, a far better use of the time is to seek out just one person for a short conversation. One person who you know is feeling upset or lonely, one person whom you may have inadvertently offended or neglected recently.

The references to the bread of communion, and in particular the last verse ‘Put Christ into each other’s hands, he is love’s deepest measure’, mean that the sharing of peace is much more than building or rebuilding friendship. It is to acknowledge that as we share the bread, we also share our lives and the life of Christ. The deepest symbolism of this is in a small gathering where the numbers are few enough for the bread, once consecrated by the priest, to be passed round a circle, each person sharing with their neighbour with the words ‘the body of Christ’.  Peace, shalom, wholeness, unity, forgiveness, commitment, eternal life. The blessing we invoke one each other in those few moments of connection, be it a handshake or a piece of bread, is nothing less.