Chap. Xviii.—Of The Kiss Of Peace.
CHAP. XVIII.—OF THE KISS OF PEACE.
Another custom has now become prevalent. Such as are fasting
withhold the kiss of peace, which is the seal of prayer, after prayer
made with brethren. But when is peace more to be concluded with
brethren than when, at the time of some religious observance,[12] our
prayer ascends with more acceptability; that they may themselves
participate in our observance, and thereby be mollified for transacting
with their brother touching. their own peace? What prayer is complete
if divorced from the "holy kiss?"[23] Whom does peace impede when
rendering service to his Lord? What kind of sacrifice is that from
which men depart without peace? Whatever our prayer be, it will not be
better than the observance of the precept by which we are bidden to
conceal our fasts;[14] for now, by abstinence from the kiss, we are
known to be fasting. But even if there be some reason far this
practice, still, lest you offend against this precept, you may perhaps
defer your "peace "at home, where it is not possible for your fast to
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tirely kept secret. But wherever else you can conceal your
observance, you ought to remember the precept: thus you may satisfy the
requirements of Discipline abroad and of custom at home. So, too, on
the day of the passover,[1] when the religious observance of a fast is
general, and as it were public, we justly forego the kiss, caring
nothing to conceal anything which we do in common with all.