The "genuf" is what I have decided to start calling the half-genuflection (although calling what I usually see a half genuflection is often VERY generous).
First of all, it is always helpful to mention when it is that we ought to genuflect because many have simply never been taught. We genuflect when coming in and out of the presence of royalty, and certainly our Lord Jesus Christ is the "King of Kings" and thus also deserves that same treatment. No one going to see the Queen of England would drop their knee about 3 inches in more of a curtsy/stumbling motion, so why do we do it with our Lord? I think often times (and this is on the priests to help do a better job of teaching people this) people simply don't know that we even believe Christ is truly present in the tabernacle.
An important aspect of a genuflection is to actually touch the knee to the ground. Part of the value of the genuflection is that it continues to be an opportunity to show humility...and It also hurts and that pain is good! Now of course here some will relegate me to that same class as the masochistic monk in the Da Vinci code and those who enjoy hurting themselves - but it's not so. Catholics believe that there is actually joy to be found in admitting something is greater than ourselves; there is joy to be found when I am able to acknowledge that I'm not in charge and that I don't always know what is best; there is joy in admitting, through a genuflection, that I am not the King of the Universe. There is a childish simplicity and levity that comes from not walking into Church and giving God the "what's up dude head nod" but instead saying "Lord, it is good for me to be here in your presence!"
"Genuflection haters" love to frame genuflection in terms of some medieval custom that hails from a time when people were overly focused on the transcendence and greatness of God, but they say that now that we are enlightened moderns who have crawled out of the swamp of the middle ages, we now know that God is our bud, and so a quick head nod as if to say "what's up" is sufficient.
Next time you come into or leave the presence of the King of the Universe, don't settle for a "genuf" or a head nod but instead let your knee touch the ground, let it be an opportunity to reflect on your position in the universe and to give honor to the King of Kings (and teach your kids and teenagers to do the same).
uh-oh....Guilty.
ReplyDeleteGonna Change now. Thank you for the correction
I'm still not able to 'touch the floor' with my new knee joint, but how wonderful it is to again be genuflecting...even if it's only a Genuf for right now. Thanks, Father for the lesson.
ReplyDeleteWe are teaching all of our children to genuflect properly. Unfortunately, we are an oddity in our parish where no one - literally no one - else genuflects at all. Even a genuf would be a start. I'm reading this to the kiddos in the morning - I think it will benefit them greatly.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Where are my old altar rails! Lord, I pray they will put them back...it is breathtaking to see people go up to kneel to receive together around the altar and stand back to wait your turn and for everyone to be so watchful so that not a crumb falls to the floor with paten under our chins. We take TIME for the Lord when we do this and REVERENCE. I hear more and more are coming back to doing this. I sure hope we do. Suzanne McConnell
ReplyDeleteRare is the convert who doesn't genuflect to the floor. Converts have lost friends and family, but have gained the Truth through Holy Mother Church and it seems that they have a better appreciation for the Church and the True Presence than SOME cradle Catholics. Let us never tire of the Sacred Mysteries. We will appreciate them so much more if/when they are ever taken away from us as in ancient times.
ReplyDeletelove to see true genuflecting kids and adults. I am not able to genuflect but I make sure to bow with respect. Let's get back to basic respect.
ReplyDeleteFolded hands, careful signs of the cross and true genuflecting
What if you walk in holding your infant and you can't genuflect. Does it count for you if your wife genuflects?
ReplyDeleteHaha, yes, guilty, but only when holding a 20 lbs infant, although it is harder to genuf w/ an infant than go down to the ground and then just use the pew to help me up, so that's what I've been doing lately.
ReplyDeleteIt's scriptural, too:
ReplyDelete"To me every knee shall bend" Isaiah 45:23c
In our family, genufs are called curtseys. Use that term and the boys, at least, will never do it again! LOL
ReplyDeleteIf all I can do it genuf (cause if I also "lect" I will not get up, at least not calling attention to myself!) should I stop doing it altogether? I'm thinking I'm setting a bad example and encouraging others to genuf.
ReplyDelete