What are the reasons for the various gestures and postures in the liturgy?
A. The ways we use our bodies in worship reveal much about our attitude toward God, ourselves and creation. The various postures and gestures of worship express the dignity of the body as well as the presence of God in the midst of the worshiping assembly. The use of the body in worship also enables us to see all of life as prayer, not only words but also actions. We stand to offer praise and prayer to God. Our standing suggests the importance of our corporate action: singing, hearing the Gospel, participating in the Eucharistic prayer. We sit to listen to the scripture readings and the sermon. We may kneel for confession, to receive communion, and at other times of prayer. Kneeling is a posture that signifies penitence, adoration and awareness of God’s majesty. The worship leaders and others bow as a sign of reverence at the beginning and end of the service. They reverence the altar as the central symbol of Christ’s presence in our Eucharistic celebration.
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