There is so much power in a greeting. Years ago, we had to greet everyone with a kiss. Sometimes it was really big. Nathaniël has this story about the aunt with the mole you had to dodge, or the other one with her lips so flabby it left you wondering if she forgot her dentures that morning. At least nowadays we like hugs better.
And men too! At first this was quite funny, but as I got used to it, I realized that a hug conveys much more than a firm handshake. Somehow it communicates affection, warmth, respect, friendship and much more.
We were going out for the night and my son was excited to order a pizza to go through Uber, which for him offers a few varieties of his mother’s kitchen.
Shortly after, the doorbell rang. After a while my son came back with the pizza and he no longer had a piece. I commented with surprise that he must have been very hungry to have already eaten a piece on the way from the front door to the kitchen.
He replied, “No, I gave it to the guy who delivered the pizza.” But why, I asked. My son said, “When the pizza delivery man handed it to me, he touched his left hand to his right elbow. You know, Dad, that’s the way they convey respect. So I made the appropriate response on my part and shared a slice of pizza with him.
wow! Something happened here that is more than a greeting. Two people who don’t know each other at all walk away changed. Walk away with a smile in your hearts and a slightly fuller belly. This is how it should be. When we end up in each other’s space, even for a fleeting moment, we must leave changed, better, nicer, more.
Perhaps Paul understood something of greeting, because he always said something nice about readers at the end of his letters. Here, at the end of Titus, it’s no different: 15… Thanks to all of you. Or as The Living Bible says: 15…God’s blessings be with you all.
And don’t we all need such a lot of blessings, grace and goodness? In a way, that’s exactly what my son did. The delivery man experienced some of God’s goodness, through a slice of pizza in his belly.
Somewhere in my head, I put a reminder to myself to greet people differently from now on. There are so many hungry people out there, people who long for just a little bit of grace, a little bit of goodness. God’s pantry is full of it and he’s looking for a takeout window to share it.
Let us make our doors and windows like this and be the channel through which God’s grace and goodness can flow to others. Let’s greet people and bless with God’s grace. Every day, every time.
That is why I now open my window, here on your screen, and greet you: May the grace of God flow over you and may the grace of God be more than enough for you. May you fill yourself because God goes with you everywhere.
Holy Scripture
Titus 3:12-15
Reflection
Who can you hurt?
Who must you hurt?
When you go to do?
Prayer
Father, thank you for all your grace. It is more than enough for me. Amen.
