When the verbose politician delivered speeches, his wife would keep on blowing kisses to him. Everyone admired the love between husband and wife. But, only the poor politician knew what “kiss” meant: Keep It Short, Stupid! July 6, celebrating International Kissing Day, let’s reflect on the many meanings of kisses.
The Bible has many references to kisses, the most common being the emotional embracing of kith and kin. Joseph kisses his father and his brothers, who had sold him into slavery, and Esau kisses his brother Jacob as a sign of reconciliation. Naomi kisses her daughters-in-law Ruth and Orpah as a blessing and Samuel kisses King Saul after anointing him to govern. These kisses are signs of affection, reconciliation, forgiveness, blessing, welcome and farewell.
The Song of Songs celebrates appropriate romantic kissing: “Oh, how I wish you would kiss me passionately!”
But, beware of the flirtatious spouse who lures naive victims for illicit lovemaking! Judas’ kiss, however, stands out as the vilest one since it led to Jesus’ capture and crucifixion. “Judas, would you betray me with a kiss?” asks Jesus.
Sometimes kissing represents nothing more than empty promises of political campaigning like Absalom’s kisses, which stole the hearts of the Israelites and has echoes in Indian electioneering. Joab, too, kisses unwary Amasa while treacherously stabbing him.
God’s love and compassion for erring humankind is strikingly symbolised by a father’s kissing of a wasteful, wayward son. On the other side, a repentant sinner-woman weeps at the feet of Jesus and kisses them. The washing and kissing of feet is replayed during Holy Week to commemorate Jesus’ attitude of humble service.
Israelite history records periods of apostasy when the people worshipped animal images of gold. Outraged Prophet Hosea condemns this idolatry: “Men kiss calves!” It’s common among Catholics and orthodox Christians to kiss images of Jesus, Mary and the saints as a sign of affection and reverence — sometimes condemned by other Christians as idolatry.
The “holy kiss” was customary among early Christians. Today, some churches give a “kiss of peace” which can be a simple namaste or a handshake. Metaphorically, the Bible also longs for cosmic kiss-bliss when: “Righteousness and peace kiss each other!”
International Kissing Day reminds us of a kaleidoscope of kisses: mamma’s kisses, friends’ kisses, flying kisses, flat kisses, kiss of peace, holy kiss, e-kisses, French kisses, Judas’ kiss — and what have you. They say that a kiss is a contraction of the lips caused by an expansion of the heart. This weekend, kissing mom-dad-child-spouse-friend-whoever or whatever, let’s not be like Judas or Joab, but kiss with expanded hearts.
Thank God for kisses!
Francis Gonsalves is a professor of theology. He can be contacted at fragons@gmail.com
