Posture in Church
“Oh Lord, you have searched me, and know me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.” (Ps 139:1-2)
In the words of Romano Guardini, ‘every part of the body is an expressive instrument of the soul.’ The Bible speaks of several postures of prayer; standing, kneeling, bowing, and prostration.
*Standing (side of vigilance and action... like a soldier on duty): Mt 24:15 ... ‘by the prophet Daniel, standing in the Holy Place...’
*Kneeling (side of worship in rest and quietness): Mt 8:2, 9:18, 15:25 ... ‘a leper came to Him and knelt before Him’ ... ‘behold, a ruler came in and knelt before Him’ ... ‘But she came and knelt before Him, saying, ‘Lord help me.’’
*Bowing Jn 19:30 ... ‘it is finished, and HE bowed HIS head...’
*Prostration Mt 26:39 ... ‘fell on his face and prayed’ ; Rev 4:10 ... ‘fall down before the one who sits on the throne and worship him, who lives forever and ever.’
When a knight puts his hands together, for example, he renders himself vulnerable. He could not reach for his weapon. So he stood when he approached a king or a judge. We too, are vulnerable when we are in God’s presence; for none of our weapons can harm him, and none of our defenses can repel him.
Hands pressed together, palm to palm, resemble a flame pointed heavenward -- an appropriate image as we heed St. Paul’s counsel to ‘present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship’ (Romans 12:1)
*Signs of Life by Scott Hahn / Catholic Doctorine by Gregory Oatis