KNEELING
Kneeling as an Act of Worship and Reverence
Throughout Sacred Scripture, kneeling is depicted as a profound posture of worship, humility, and surrender before God. In ancient Hebrew culture, the knee was a symbol of strength, so bending one’s knees represented a willingness to submit one’s power and will to the Almighty.
Old Testament Examples
In the Old Testament, numerous instances highlight the importance of kneeling in prayer and adoration. For example, at the dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem, Solomon “knelt in the presence of the whole assembly of Israel and stretched forth his hands toward heaven” (2 Chr 6:13). The Psalmist exhorts us: “Come, let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the LORD who made us. For he is our God, and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides” (Ps 95:6-7).
The prophet Isaiah foretells a time when all people will recognize God’s sovereignty: “To me every knee shall bend; by me every tongue shall swear” (Isa 45:23). This prophecy is echoed in the New Testament by St. Paul, who applies it to Christ: “at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth” (Phil 2:10).
Examples of Faithful Individuals
Faithful individuals maintained a practice of kneeling in prayer, even in the face of persecution. The prophet Daniel had a “custom of going home to kneel in prayer and give thanks to his God in the upper chamber three times a day, with the windows open toward Jerusalem” (Dan 6:11). Similarly, after returning from exile, Ezra knelt to pray: “Then, at the time of the evening sacrifice, I rose in my wretchedness, and with cloak and mantle torn I fell on my knees, stretching out my hands to the LORD, my God” (Ezr 9:5).
New Testament Examples
In the Gospels, we see people kneeling before Jesus as a sign of reverence and supplication. When Simon Peter witnessed the miraculous catch of fish, “he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, ‘Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man'” (Lk 5:8). Jesus himself prayed on his knees in the Garden of Gethsemane before his Passion (Lk 22:41).
Early Christian Practice
The early Christian community continued the practice of kneeling in prayer. Examples include St. Stephen (Acts 7:60), St. Peter (Acts 9:40), St. Paul (Acts 20:36), and the early Christian community as a whole (Acts 21:5).
Liturgical Tradition
The Catholic Church has preserved this biblical tradition of kneeling as part of her liturgical worship. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that “kneeling signifies adoration and worship” (CCC 2628). It is a physical expression of our interior disposition of humility and reverence before God.
REFLECTION
As Christians, we are called to reflect on the significance of kneeling in our own prayer and worship. When we kneel before the Lord, particularly in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, we are not merely following a ritual. Instead, we are physically expressing our recognition of God’s sovereignty, our dependence on His mercy, and our willingness to submit ourselves entirely to His will.
Let us approach our times of kneeling in prayer and worship with renewed understanding and devotion. May our external posture reflect the internal disposition of our hearts – humble, repentant, and surrendered to God’s love and mercy. As we kneel before the Lord, we join countless generations of faithful believers who have expressed their love and reverence for God in this way. May our kneeling be a powerful witness to our faith and a source of grace for ourselves and the world.