A look at the postures of prayer

In preparation for the implementation of the revised Roman Missal in just a few weeks' time, the homilies over the past couple of weeks have focused on the spoken words which we use for the celebration of the Eucharist.  This week, we turn our attention to some of the postures we use in our prayer.

Whether we stand, sit or kneel at various points during the celebration of the Eucharist, all that we do is meant to demonstrate unity.  One of the great strengths of the Catholic Church is that we recognize the both the unity we share and the variations in the lived experiences we each bring to the community, and when we stand together around the Table of the Lord, we also bring the variety of our gifts.

The communion we receive in the celebration of the Eucharist also reminds us of

• the communion of the Trinity, which is made manifest in the Eucharistic banquet;
• our participation in Jesus' act of self giving;
• the relationship between sacramental communion and the various gatherings of God's people (ecclesiae); and
• the relationship between sacramental communion and communion with all creation.

These aspects are more eloquently explained in the Holy Father's Apostolic Exhortation Sacramentum Caritas (February 22, 2007).  My words are perhaps less eloquent, but hopefully they help in some way.  As always, homilies are availiable in podcast format or in text (see below):

Toward conscious, active and full participation

Back in 1967, when all of us here present were much younger, and some of us were still in diapers, the priests and lay people who were gathered for the Second Vatican Council published the first of a number of documents which were meant to provide guidance for some changes that were then to take place in the liturgy that would henceforth be celebrated in the Roman Catholic Church.  More than four decades have passed since that time when the collective wisdom of the Council Fathers spoke of this liturgy that we now know as the Mass, as the high point both of the action by which God sanctifies the world in Christ and the worship that the human race offers to the Father.  In order that praise be given in a fitting manner, the Council considered it a matter of greatest importance that the celebration of the Lord’s Supper be so ordered that all people taking part in it should be able to derive from it the graces which Christ has always desired to share with us.

One of the primary intentions of the Council Fathers was that all those present for the celebration of the Eucharist should be able to consciously, actively and fully participate in all aspects of this universal prayer.  The richness of the liturgy which gathers us together is observed all the more when we join our voices together to sing, or to respond to the prayers that are spoken aloud.  Cardinal Roger Mahoney, former Archbishop of Los Angeles, California explained it this way:  We are one. Our Catholic faith will not allow the distinction “us” versus “them.” On Sunday we gather in one Lord, one faith, one Baptism. Yet, we are many. When we gather, it is also to witness to the universality of our faith, evident in the many parts that make up the one Body. We celebrate the diverse experiences, cultures, and charisms that assemble around the one table.

Over the past number of weeks, I have attempted to provide some explanations about the revisions to the prayers and responses that are being altered so that our voices, as different and unique as each of them is, may be united in a common prayer of praise.  Now that we have become a bit more familiar with the responses, I need to explain a few of the changes in posture which are also being implemented.  To do otherwise would be for me to run the risk of turning aside from the way or of causing many to stumble and I certainly wouldn’t want to do that.  Jesus’ words in today’s gospel are rather severe, and directed toward the leaders of his day.  These leaders had a reputation for being more concerned about their own well-being than about the needs of the people they were called to serve.  Instead, Jesus calls you and me to understand that we are all brothers and sisters and therefore we should aim always to receive his word which is also at work in all believers.

No matter which Catholic community we may find ourselves in for the celebration of the Eucharist, we should all feel at home.  We should all know what to expect, what words to speak, and whether to stand, sit or kneel at various times during the Mass, even without having to ask.  One of the things that helps us to be united in prayer is the observance of silence at certain points during the Mass.  Silence allows our hearts and spirits to hear and to reflect on the voice of God which speaks through the scriptures, the homily, and the prayers that are recited. 

To further strengthen our unity in in the celebration of the Eucharist, Bishop Plouffe has asked that in this diocese, the congregation stands when the priest has completed the washing of hands, that we should kneel only during the recitation of the words of consecration, and that we remain standing if possible at all other times up to and including the distribution of communion.  The Bishop’s instructions say that during the distribution of communion, the assembly should remain standing (if possible) until all have received the Blessed Sacrament.  After Communion has been distributed to all the assembly, ‘as circumstances allow’ the members of the assembly may sit or kneel while the period of sacred silence is observed.  When approaching a priest or a Eucharistic Minister during the communion procession, everyone is asked to stop and make a simple bow of the head before receiving Holy Communion, and to consume it immediately.  Communion is to be received standing, preferably in the hand for reasons of hygiene, although reception of the Eucharist on the tongue is also permitted.

Some of these changes have already been implemented in this parish community.  Others will take some time.  The key is that we all be patient with one another, remembering Paul’s words of wisdom that we should be gentle with one another, and always seek to tenderly care for one another, especially as we live these changes.  Let’s also keep in mind that all of this is meant to unify the act of worshipping and giving thanks to God so that we might more consciously, more actively and more fully participate in the Eucharist, by which we give praise to God.