I like holding hands during the Our Father. I think I've told you why already, but it bears repeating.
I used to hold hands during the Our Father too.
But i spent so much time worrying about getting hold of someone's hand [my kids] and making sure everyone was doing it that i lost time to pray the Our Father.
By the time i was situated in getting a hand in each hand half the prayer was over.
The Holy Spirit is not subject to us holding hands and He has the power to give us peace through the Our Father prayer - not the fact we are holding hands.
I admit - i was distracted when i did the hand holding.
I did it because it seemed like a loving gesture and so i started doing it with my family.
I miss the fact that i used to be able to once just fold my hands and look down and pray - like everyone else.
But since the hand holding has come - i am permanently distracted from the prayer because i know in the back of my mind that these ppl are distracted and distracting.
I no longer have peace because i sense what it involves and the chaos created is like a crackle in the atmosphere.
Dont get me wrong - i liked holding hands but it really kept me from half the prayer AND from a one on one earnestness in my prayer life ... and now i have to conscientiously avoid it - i am forever marred.
I have to close my eyes and pray but knowing ppl are doing the oran stance and the hand holding i am still distracted.
I cant win, its my own fault - but i really want the Church to make it all stop.
Hmm... I always thought of it as a special ritual to bring all of us laity together as family in addition to the offering of peace. Ah well... That's just me, but if this does go into motion I don't think our Chapel will be able to follow. Small church but it's very tight kit
Which? The sign of peace?
I like the idea of doing it at the beginning of Mass. Get it out of the way...say hello to friends and neighbors.