Thought of the Day



Thursday, 22 October 2009

Genuflection reflection

Terry has a post up that made me think about genuflecting. Now my situation might be different than yours because our church is built "in the round." I do not genuflect the moment I walk into the church proper even though I pass the tabernacle. I wait until I circle half way around the church to my usual seat. Then I genuflect and enter the pew. Sometimes this means I nod hello to fellow parishioners before I greet Jesus. I don't like that idea.

Occasionally I will need to exit the pew before Mass starts to pick up a missal or hymnal that I forgot on the way in. Or I might need to get a sip of water so I don't disturb everyone around me by coughing. Usually I genuflect as I exit the pew and again when I enter. Sometimes I will see a person trying to manage a walker and the doors leading into the church and I just jump up and walk-run to help them. Should I still genuflect when exiting the pew even if precious seconds are lost and someone could get hurt if they fall before I get there?

If I have already greeted Jesus when I enter the church how many times do I have to keep genuflecting? One the one hand I want to show respect. On the other hand I don't want to seem overly hung up on it.

I wonder what you think?

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