POSTURING IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD

Recently David Wells pitched a perfect game for the New York Yankees. When he got into the ninth inning, the fans got on their feet and cheered every pitch. Fans also stand as the starters of their home town pro basketball stars are announced. When Mark Messier skated around the ice with the Stanley Cup, the crowd stood and roared their approval. The point is clear: when great moments happen in sports, people rise to their feet to cheer, to applaud, to participate in this moment of glory, to appreciate a job superbly done. Standing is a posture which feels different from kneeling.

There is a controversy in the United States Catholic Community about which posture, standing or kneeling, is appropriate during the Eucharistic Prayer. The Catholic bishops are about evenly divided. If you visit another part of the country, you may find the entire Assembly, priests and baptized, standing from the time of the dialogue that begins the prayer (The Lord be with you. And also with you./Lift up your hearts. We have lifted them up to the Lord./Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give him thanks and praise) to its conclusion with the prayer of doxology (Through him, with him, in him, etc.) and the Great Amen. Here in the Archdiocese of Boston the Cardinal wishes the baptized to kneel during this prayer.

My normal temptation would be to tell you the historical meaning associated with the two postures. I would hope that such historical understanding would persuade you to do what I want. However, I think it would be more profitable if I were to ask you to try something.

I would like you to kneel in your pew. Do what you usually do. Some kneel at attention and look up to view what is being done during the Eucharistic Prayer. Others settle into a kneeling with their face buried in their hands. As you do this experiment, be reflective. Ask yourself: what does this posture feel like? What spiritual meaning does it convey to you? Does your kneeling body say reverence, or humble presence before the great mystery of God coming down and consecrating bread and wine, or personal unworthiness as a creature before one's creator, or participation in the awesome sacrifice of Calvary reenacted?

Since you are a member of this Assembly and not an individual monad, how does your kneeling enhance or detract from your feeling that you are part of an Assembly, the Body and Christ, which is giving praise and thanksgiving to God?

Now take a moment to try the other posture, standing. Stand up and let your body speak to you. What would standing convey during the Eucharistic Prayer? Does your posture feel vigilant and attentive, or praise, or thanks? When you stand, notice where you direct your attention.

Since you are a member of this Assembly and not an individual monad, how does your standing enhance or detract from feeling that you are part of an Assembly, the Body of Christ, which is giving praise and thanksgiving to God?

I hope that this column will make you more aware of what your body posture says to you about prayer posture. Feel your posture and think about it.