While many Catholics are familiar with the sign of peace at Mass, few know the origins of this liturgical action.
The sign of peace was not created to be a casual exchange, but a profound plea for forgiveness.
St. Cyril of Jerusalem explains the spiritual meaning of this action in his Catechetical Lectures.
Ancient cultures had a custom of a "kiss of peace," which was much more meaningful than the simple handshake or waving that has replaced it in the modern Church.
Furthermore, since churches were relatively small at the time, everyone knew everyone else, making this "kiss" more meaningful, as you likely held grudges against people you saw on a regular basis.
This is much different than modern-day parishes, where the congregation is constantly changing and you don't even know the person standing next to you.
Nevertheless, the spiritual meaning behind the sign of peace remains, urging all of us to reconcile with our brothers and sisters before approaching the altar.
