HIGH FIVE

Most of my life a handshake has been a right hand extended to the right hand of another and held semi-firmly and released simultaneously with a greeting. This is the protocol I remember for shaking hands with a man or woman or child. This goes clear back to Sister Osborne and Brother Cosby and everyone else. It is still protocol for some of us.

Then came grasping one hand with two. Then, high five. I’m not sure when this started as a greeting method. With open hand, one hand, two hands, extended hands or raised hands… we slap palms and go our way… with greeting or not, the palm slap is often the only greeting.

Then came COVID and the clenched fist knuckle tapping of fist to fist while turning our heads in opposite directions while masked. This was after the fake knuckle tapping ended as a gesture of recognition.

Then came the shake hands with a slight hug (male or female) for added meaning and emphasis of …some kind. That’s cool, if it’s cool.

In Galatians 2:9, Paul an apostle, wrote, “and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.” Giving the right hand of fellowship was “a solemn act of partnership signifying acceptance, agreement and trust. It still is, let’s shake on it.

“I tell you the truth, anyone who welcomes my messenger is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming the Father who sent me.”
Jesus