|
What is
Genuflection?
To GENUFLECT is to 'bow the knee';
to go down on one knee. It is the most profound and solemn form of
bowing.
The next most solemn form
of BOW is a profound bow from the waist. Finally there is the simplest
form in which the head alone is inclined slightly forward and down.
Why Bother?
Prayer
"And the Word was made
flesh and he dwelt among us" (John 1:14). These words are at the
heart of the Christian Gospel. It is only because of that one almost
unbelievable fact that we can pray at all. These words also remind
us of a fact that the whole human person, spirit, mind and body has
been 'saved.' A fact emphasized when the Risen Christ ascended, or
returned, to the Father taking His human body with Him.
When we pray we offer our
whole self to God, we come before the throne of the Heavenly Grace
with humility. The whole self seeks to be united with God. Although
prayer comes from the heart it is often expressed, rightly and
naturally, through our bodies.
We pray with words. We
put into words, in the best way that we can, what we want to say to
God. There is so much that we want to say to Him, though, that we
simply cannot find words to express it. Indeed, the most meaningful
prayer is often completely silent, for when we stop talking to God
we may listen to what He might want to say.
Midway between words and
silence is 'non-verbal' communication, the language of facial
expression and bodily movement. It is such a powerful language
because it is almost instinctive. One gesture is often worth a
thousand words, as we all know! It can express attitude and state of
mind, and when it accompanies words can point up their deeper
meanings to us.
Worship
In the United States we
are not as familiar with physical signs of reverence and honor in
non-Church life as are our English cousins. In Great Britain anyone
who has been in a courtroom will have seen how the officials have to
nod, or bow the head to the judge or magistrate when they pass in
front of him. The same is true of people who are introduced to Her
Majesty the Queen; they curtsey or bow.
In this way they are
saying that what the person stands for, or represents, is worthy of
their respect. How much more is God worthy, not only of our respect,
but of the worship of our souls!
In St. Paul's letter to
the Philippians (2:9) we read: "Therefore God has highly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the
Name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and
under the earth."
For the person who wishes
to worship the Lord with all their heart, with all their soul, with
all their mind and with all their strength, worship with the body is
both right and natural.
When to Genuflect
When we genuflect depends partly
on the tradition of the church where you worship. Whatever the current
tradition of your church, though, the general rule should be to
reserve the most solemn reverence, i.e. genuflection, for the most
solemn times. Genuflection is particularly appropriate in the presence
of God Himself!
If you are fortunate enough
to worship in a Church in which the Body of Christ (the Blessed
Sacrament) is reserved, it is right to acknowledge the Lord's Real
Presence with a brief act of worship on entering or leaving the
building. Normally a genuflection in the direction of the place of
reservation, coupled with a turning of the mind towards Him is enough.
If you are unsure whether
the Blessed Sacrament is reserved in your church, then look for the
tell-tale sign of a permanently lit lamp, red or white, near to a
wall-safe or box fitted to, near or suspended above the altar. The
wall-safe is called an AUMBRY, the box is called a TABERNACLE, or when
suspended oven an altar it is called a HANGING PYX. Alternately you
could ask if there is one of these things in your church. Whether the
Body of Christ is reserved in your Church or not, during the Eucharist
the Body and Blood of the Lord certainly comes into your church.
The Real Presence of the
Lord God Himself comes among us under the appearance of bread and wine
as St. Paul's first letter to the Corinthians (ch11) reminds us. When
you move from your seat to go up for Communion, remember who is
waiting for you at the altar, and genuflect to adore your Lord and
God. After you have received the Body and Blood of the Lord, and
before you retake your seat, it is a good practice to genuflect in
adoration of the Lord who is still present at the altar.
When to Bow
Although customs vary
tremendously there are several points during the Eucharist at which it
is traditional to bow profoundly.
1. At the words "And was
incarnate by the Holy Ghost ... and was made man" in the Creed, in
honor of the Incarnation of Our Lord, a genuflection is the general
custom in Anglo-Catholic parishes, but a profound bow is an
alternative.
2. At the Words of
Institution in the Eucharistic Prayer, at which moments the bread
and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ, although one is
already kneeling, a profound bow is in most places the custom.
More generally, it has
been customary to bow the head slightly at the mention of the name
of Jesus, whenever it is heard in Church. This practice not only
honors the sacred name, but encourages us to be attentive at all
times during Divine Service.
Equally traditional is
the practice of turning to the High Altar and bowing the head as you
pass in front of it, honoring the throne of God in Church, the Holy
of Holies.
Practice does vary so
much that there can be no hard and fast rules about when to bow, or
even how to bow. For many people, unused to bowing, the slightest
nod of the head can feel very conspicuous! Don't let that put you
off though because, however it feels, it is very unlikely that
anyone else will notice, and you will soon become accustomed. Above
all, if you put your soul, your mind, and your body into worship you
can't go far wrong.
|
