| Hugs - article by Joel Hempel Walking in opposite directions across the living room, Marcia and I paused to hug each other. Life would be harder without hugs, I said as we held each other. Those who have lost a spouse of many years feel that loss daily. People who are lonely often long to be held in a warm embrace. Hugs, safe hugs, holy or sacred hugs, communicate affection. Not long ago, on Sunday, Sandy walked into church and, on her way in for choir practice, stopped to hug three men, all of whom had lost their wives. I jokingly asked, Where’s mine? She smiled and said, “You don’t need one. She was right! It was a beautiful thing that Sandy did. In his epistles to multiple churches, St Paul encouraged brothers and sisters in Christ to greet each other with a holy kiss.1 The holy kiss has given way to the holy hug in today’s culture. Personally, I’m glad it has. Hugs and warm embraces offer so much more than a peck on the cheek. A warm embrace says I see you, care about you, include you in my circle of love, and it lets the other person know they are not alone. Church is a great place to combat loneliness. Recent studies indicate loneliness has reached epidemic proportions. There are many reasons for that. A quick Google search will list all the reasons. But what are the reasons for withholding hugs in church? Awkwardness? Fear of invading the other person’s space? Discomfort with too much touch? Years ago, the practice of “passing the peace” gave permission to hug, or at least to shake hands, with someone you didn’t know well. Maybe it’s time to bring back the practice in a less structured way. Maybe with practice, we can get past the awkwardness and unnecessary fears that get in the way. Psychologists and other researchers who study such things tell us that hugs reduce stress, improve mood, lower blood pressure, and strengthen relationships. I guess God knew what he was doing when he inspired St. Paul to promote brotherly affection2 and St. Peter to write, Greet one another with the kiss of love.3 1. Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:26 2. Romans 12:10 3. 1 Peter 5:14 | 
