The "holy kiss," mentioned five times in the New Testament, may seem like an outdated and awkward command. However, this ancient practice serves as a powerful symbol of Christian unity and radical welcome. In a world of social divisions, the early Christian church used the holy kiss as a revolutionary act to show that their shared faith in Jesus erased boundaries between people of different social statuses, ethnicities, and backgrounds.

Today, the "holy kiss" challenges us to move beyond simple greetings and offer a genuine, heartfelt welcome to everyone in God's family. Instead of a physical kiss, this can be expressed by engaging with new people, listening to their stories, and reaching out to fellow church members during the week. This radical welcome is important because it serves as a witness to the world, showing others what Jesus' love looks like, and it helps us grow to be more like Him. By embracing this principle, we can build a church community that is a beacon of God’s love in a lonely and divided world.