"Vibing" the Peace
This week at windsor e-news
Recently a friend reached out to express goodwill, saying, "Sending positive vibes your way!" Two thoughts immediately came to mind:
(1) "Man, I am getting old," and
(2) "Bro, I have no idea what you're talking about -- what does that even mean?”
Who can help me out here: is 'vibe' a noun, or a verb? Can I catch the vibes, or do they just come over me? And if I catch them, am I supposed to share them or keep the for myself? Is this some evolution of the Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations" or is that something else entirely? The Castle taught me that "the vibe of the thing" is shorthand for really nothing at all.
So to borrow from Shakespeare's Juliet, I guess I'm asking, "What's in a vibe?"
Seeing as I've already dated myself, perhaps resurrecting the bygone church tradition of passing the peace might help us here. For the uninitiated, this part of our worship services has a long history, dating all the way back to the second century.
"Passing the peace" was the physical act of affection that church goers would extend to one another before the Lord's Supper - like a hug, kiss, or handshake. It was an extension of Jesus's blessing "Peace be with you," that he gave his disciples after he rose (Luke 24). It was a reminder of the peace we have before God in Jesus and an opportunity to reconcile before communion.
“Passing the peace - an extension of Jesus’ blessing...”
Google defines "vibe" as "to transmit or give out." I guess vibe is better as verb than a noun, because while we may not be able to hold onto "vibes" we can give out, and receive, the peace of Jesus.
