The Finishing Touch

Rev. Dr. Scott K. Seidler

Greet one another with a holy kiss.  Romans 16:16

29.  At least.  That’s the number of folks recognized by name as the apostle Paul concludes his letter to the Roman church.  By doing so he reminds us that the church ceases to be church when the church ceases to be human.  When God calls us to belong to Christ Jesus, to be holy, we don’t leave our humanity at the doorway of faith.  All the trappings of being human come with us into the communion of saints—saying “hello” included. 

When Paul draws on the common and customary greeting in Roman culture to plant a kiss on the cheek, he does so fully aware of the unique greeting shared in the church.  Not just any kiss, but a “holy kiss”, given and received by God’s holy people.  We are a people who by grace have been set apart for God’s purposes.  As we greet one another, share faith together, engage in mission to the world, we do so as men and women and children whom Christ has claimed by grace to be His hands and feet. 

Christians don’t leave their humanity at the doorway of faith.  God’s judgment for sin is what’s left at that door, at the foot of Christ’s cross.  All glory to God!

Help me not lose touch with the lives of those who hurt and need healing, O Lord, the Great Physician.  Amen.