Liturgy Corner: What do we exercise during Mass?

What’s up with standing, sitting, and kneeling. My Fitbit didn’t tell me it was time to move…” 

STANDING: The prayer posture of standing is by far one of the oldest and most traditional prayer postures. Standing is a posture used to show reverence and respect to Jesus and His word and one another. Just as we stand when a guest enters the room and we rise in respect, we stand when we pray together. When we begin our Mass, we rise and greet one another. When the priest says, “Let us pray”, that is generally also a cue to stand together in prayer, and in unity. SITTING: The prayer posture of sitting is one of learning, listening and meditation. This is why we sit during the first and second readings (but not for the Gospel because the Gospel has the words of Jesus, so we stand to respect the Word). We also sit during the homily so that we can listen and learn from the priest as he expounds upon the readings and the Gospel. 

BOWING: Bowing is a sign of reverence and gratitude. Here in the US, even on the busy streets of downtown Sacramento, many people also give a nod of their head in acknowledgment of someone…a sign of respect. There are times during Mass where we bow (either a bow of the head or a bow from the waist). These are moments when we wish to show an outward sign of extreme reverence and gratitude. 

KNEELING: “Hey, I read somewhere that we kneel because the priest acts as Christ and we kneel before him.” No no no no no no no. Maybe way way way back a gajillion years ago. Well, kneeling is a posture of prayer and reverence, just like standing. However, kneeling is also a position of deep humbleness. Just as the song “I can Only Imagine” asks the question of “Will I fall to my knees, will I be able to speak at all” when coming face to face with Jesus, we remember that WE are in the midst of the True Presence of Christ in the Eucharist! Holy Guacamole Batman!! This is why we return to a seated position after the consecrated hosts are returned to the tabernacle.