June 24, 2002

"To Kneel Or Not To Kneel"
A Reflection by Robert Quinn (revised)

Has kneeling at Mass become a lost art? If so, re-discover
it in the Bible.

Bulletin
SKEPTICAL REPORTER JOURNEYS BACK 2,000 YEARS IN TIME,
IN SEARCH OF "KNEELING" PRACTICES.
SURVEY RESULT BELOW

Reporter (addressing a "winged" group):
                   "How do you stand (oops)....feel....on the issue of kneeling in the Presence of God?
Angels: "so that, at the Name of Jesus, every knee shall bend of those in Heaven, on Earth or under the Earth." (Phil. 2:10)

Reporter (moving on):
                    You, sir....it's Saul, right? Oh, it's Paul. Sorry about that. Your comment, please."
Paul: "...As I live, says The Lord, to Me every knee shall bend and every tongue shall give praise to God." (Rom. 14:11)

Reporter (to himself):
                     At last, here's a good group: all dressed like kings-----surely they kneel to no one.
The Magi: "And entering the house, they found The Child with Mary, His Mother, and falling down
they worshipped Him..." (Matt. 2:11)

Reporter (spying Paul, again):
Hello again, Paul. Would you like to amend your earlier comment?
Paul: "For this reason I bend my knees to The Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ." (Eph. 3:14)
                "Having said this, he knelt down and prayed with them all." (Acts 20:36)
"...and we knelt down on the shore and prayed." (Acts 21:5)

Reporter (annoyed):
That's not fair. Please limit yourself to one great argument for kneeling...not three!

Reporter (noticing someone in an olive garden):
"You, sir, what is your feeling on the practice of kneeling?"
Jesus: "And He, Himself, withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and kneeling down, He began to pray." (Luke 22:41)
      Reporter (visibly shaken), slowly moves away.

Reporter (still unnerved) spots soldiers with spears:
Gentlemen-----your thoughts on kneeling?
Roman Legionaries: "...and bending the knee before Him they mocked Him, saying, '
Hail, King of the Jews.' " (Matt. 27:29)

Reporter: (seeing Paul approach again):
Another quote, Paul? Oh,...now you are Saul again. You have more names than a writer.
What's that....you are a writer.
It figures! Well, let's hear your latest.
Paul: "and falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him: 'Saul, Saul,
why dost thou persecute Me.' " (Acts 9:4)

Reporter(exasperated)....to the entire crowd:
"Let's be honest. When did any of you last kneel to God?"
Full Chorus: "This morning-----at Holy Mass."
Reporter: "OK, you win. I bow (hey....it's a start) to your wisdom.

"Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery"

Epilogue

Fellow passenger on reporter's flight home:
"A very good friend once demonstrated "kneeling" as a gesture of dependence,
submission or supplication."
Reporter: "You have a wise friend. I wish that I could have met him."
Fellow passenger: "You already have....in the Garden of Olives."