Stand or Kneel - A Second Thought

The Pharisee and the Publican

      “And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. “The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. ‘I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ “But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ “I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Luke 18: 9 – 14

Hold hands, raise hands, fold hands for the “Our Father”. Sit, stand, or kneel to receive the Eucharist. Receive in the hand or on the tongue. Traditional Latin Mass or Novus Ordo. These are just some of the arguments we Catholics are having with each other these days. The discussions are always passionate, usually heated, and many times end in uncharitable behavior by all involved. This is hardly the unity Christ prays for, for his Church. The divide is widening, all in the name of reverence.

Christ is about unity, not division. If there is something dividing the Church, even perceived reverence, it is not of Christ. It is of the devil. Yes, the devil uses normally holy things, like scripture and reverence, as tools to get us to sin. Any evil thing can be justified by a verse in scripture if scripture is improperly used. Perceived reverence is also sinful if it causes scandal, division, or malice of any kind. True reverence raises one’s heart to God. False reverence is calling on the Church to do as you do because of how you personally feel.

“The prideful one was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: those receiving in the hand, standing, at a Novus Ordo Mass.”

We learn in the Screwtape Letters that our posture makes a difference in the way that we worship.

“At the very least, they can be persuaded that the bodily position makes no difference to their prayers; for they constantly forget, what you must always remember, that they are animals and that whatever their bodies do affects their souls.”

The Screwtape Letters, Chapter 4

Knowing this the Church has a general instruction on the proper postures we are to use when we come together in unity to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is never a “Jesus and me” moment. It is always a “Jesus in unity with his bride, the Church, throughout all of eternity” moment. We show this eternal unity in our postures, our actions, and our words. The Mass is celebrated throughout all time in every language on the planet combining language from the Church from its very conception. We offer this Mass as one unified body all at once. It is not a time to stand alone.

So, is there a correct posture we should be using when we celebrate Mass? The answer to that is absolutely, positively, and unequivocally yes. It also does not involve our hands, our tongues, or our knees. In fact, the only part of our bodies that really matters is our hearts. If our hearts are in the wrong posture then it does not matter what position we place our bodies in.

The old Baltimore Catechism defined prayer as:

“Prayer is the lifting up of our minds and hearts to God, to adore Him, to thank Him for His benefits, to ask His forgiveness, and to beg of Him all the graces we need whether for soul or body.”

That is about as good a definition of prayer as one can find. True reverence raises one’s heart to God. It is never prideful. It is never boastful. Nor does it demand others do likewise. It does not make claim to be better simply because of outward appearance.

Who does God love more; the man who receives Him in his hand while standing or the man who receives the Lord on the tongue on his knees? Those who argue about this question ad nauseam fail to realize that with God there is no competition. He loves us all perfectly. The greater question is which one loves God more? That is a question that cannot be answered by simply looking at outward appearance only and God alone is the only one who knows our hearts.

True reverence begins in the heart and then radiates outward. If you want to show reverence in your worship do as your bishop instructs. He has been given the authority of Jesus to lead His Church. If you do not know what the proper posture is ask your pastor. If, on the other hand, you have been called by Christ to a more reverent posture cherish the gift of love you have been given. It is yours. It has not been given to everyone. Don’t expect everyone to share in this gift.

This is the reason why the Church has a general instruction on posture and not a definitive instruction on it. The Church recognizes that Christ calls some of us into a deeper union with him and she would never deny anyone of this gift by demanding they conform to a single posture or liturgy.

God has given us many treasures. Instead of arguing which is better or more reverent we should be concentrating on those things that help us elevate our hearts closer to God.