Handshaking Isn't The Epitome Of Sportsmanship But A Handshake Can Benefit Christian Worship

Yep I'm an FSU fan.  I get that FSU hasn't been the "sweetheart" team in the world of college football this year.  I also get that many in the media have taken advantage of finding ways to generate a controversial story.    I am proud of my team, they have had quite the run of undefeated success, that is until the Rose Bowl on the Jan 1st.  A lot went wrong during the game and mistakes were made, this happens in sports.  All teams have suffered losses like this.  I think all college athletes should be treated with respect over the time and effort they put forth.  That's why I am highly disgruntled over the unfair finger pointing over players leaving the field and heading back to the locker room without shaking hands with Oregon.  Let's be honest, the whole indecent would have gone basically unnoticed had it not been for Kirk Herbstreit attempting to be a whistleblower.  He of all people should know that there is not a formal ceremony for an exchange of handshaking at this level, specifically during the postseason when the bowl committee is eager to get to the trophy ceremony.  having been at bowl games before I know that the end of the game is like as those hosting the game direct the shots.

Yes, there are times when players shake hands, yet this pleasantry is not law or a rule.  College Football is not a group of young kids playing soccer.  Returning to the locker room peacefully was just fine.  FSU simply let the Ducks enjoy the moment of their well-deserved win. They may have also been avoiding conflict in regards to inappropriate chanting from a few of their opponents.  Hours later the majority of Alabama players also returned to the locker room without shaking hands with the players from Ohio.  Going straight to the locker room does not indicate that an athlete is a poor sport, lacking in class, or whatever. Sportsmanship is more than a handshake. Because at the end of the day a sweaty handshake on a field doesn't have very much lasting value.  It's interesting that so many people have gotten quite shaken up over the lack of handshaking in college football, perhaps it shows that people do have a soft spot for tradition after all.  Or we can at least observe in this case that many like tradition especially  when others don't live up to their standard of it.

There Is A Handshake That Means Quite A Lot

In many churches, there is a practice of shaking hands before or within the service.  This practice, through  historically liturgical, remains even in contemporary settings.  It's a wonderful practice, but unfortunately often very misunderstood.   The sharing of the peace is more than a moment of pleasantry or hospitality or even sportsmanship.  Worshiping Christians aren't shaking hand to simply say "hello".  The practice is not some kind of verbal name tag either.  This practice is a symbol of what true fellowship is to be under the cross. Congregations are bound together in forgiveness.  The sharing of the peace is a greeting of a handshake (or a hug) and the words "the peace of the Lord be with you".  The confession this practice makes finds its theological roots in the Fifth Petition of The Lord's Prayer, "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us".

How easy it is to become a curmudgeon holding back from extending this handshake and greeting.  Sometimes we fear it may be too chaotic, or simply take too much time.  Or worse we realize our struggle with the fact that Christ's forgiveness is good also for those who have hurt us.  In this, we join Jonah under the vine, grumbling over the great mercy and grace our God freely gives.  Though just as it is with the rest of the liturgy the Word of God draws our eyes away from our selfish way and onto Himself.  In Christ, the sharing of the peace becomes a blessing.

As God's children, we are gathered around the very words and promises of Christ given to us in worship.  We are declared forgiven of our sins and reconciliation with God.  In Christ, this reconciliation is extended into the relationships of the worshipers.  The greeting is a confession of neighborly love and care, as described by St Paul in 1 Cor. 11,  as we come to the cross where we bear with each other as we are strengthened and sustained in the righteousness that comes from receiving the very body and blood of Christ in the Lord's Supper.  The gift of peace that is poured upon us blesses us to live in harmony bound up in love as we serve each other in times of happiness, temptation, and suffering.  The beautiful greeting of handshakes, hugs, and words of peace continues as a beloved practice not because of what we  do in it but because of how it serves the church.

Peace be with you!