Kneeling, Sitting and Standing

It was the Greeks who taught that we could and should separate the spirit from the body in order to achieve holiness. But the Hebrews disagree. The Bible sees persons as whole: body, mind and soul. An Episcopal worship service acknowledges this by making ways for worshipers to express devotion, not only by listening, but by engaging in physical participation. This moment can be an entry into the experience of worship for us.

Different feelings accompany different postures and actions. Kneeling evokes a quiet, reverent humility. Sitting prepares us to listen with attention. Standing enables us to show honor and give dignity to that which we stand. Speaking gives the congregation a voice and engages the worshiper in prayers, affirmations and scripture reading. We smell the incense and take in the mystery of a particular moment. Silence allows us the opportunity to quiet our inner souls and focus on God's presence.

We are fortunate to be able to participate so much in worship. We do so by listening, of course, but we also speak in unison as a response to the prayers, psalms and greetings. When we hear, "The Lord be with you" we reply, "And also with you."

We are able to show our reverence by either bowing or kneeling at those times we feel are especially sacred moments such as the receiving of the Eucharist or praying in silence.

We sit to hear the lessons; but when the Gospel is introduced, there is a procession to honor it, and we rise to stand as it is read. All of these movements allow us to express many things that words alone do not convey. It is a wonderful thing to do it all together as one person.