Reviving the Practice of Reverence

Catholic Exchange ^ | 12-30-04 | Andrew Sullivan, M. J.

[Salvation]

	by Fr. Andrew Sullivan M.J. Other Articles by Fr. Andrew Sullivan M.J.

Reviving the Practice of Reverence

12/30/04

Here we are at the end of the year. It is a good time for reflection and assessing what we need to do to end the year with a better understanding of how we can love God more.

Let’s consider the need for reverence in our lives. There is a need for great reverence in our relationships with Jesus Christ. Lord have mercy that there is so little reverence these days. It has become like scarce water in a desert. It has dried up! It is so difficult to find and so precious! Simply to praise God in peace the soul needs a reverent atmosphere. It is a very necessary gift in the spiritual life. We cannot live a proper relationship with Jesus without reverence. Reverence must be observed because it is right and proper, always and everywhere to conduct ourselves with respect before God.

Reverence is observed with an outward sign of respect for God, but it comes from an attitude deep within the heart. When we respect God, beholding Him with awe, we naturally reflect a beautiful internal attitude in our very actions.

Some people say that “we should not be fearful of God because He is our friend.” I agree that we should approach God with a confident familiarity. But another distinction is necessary to add for the sake of clarity. There is a particular kind of fear of God which is not only healthy for the soul but absolutely necessary. Don’t forget that “fear of the Lord” is a gift of the Holy Spirit! This gift gives the soul a deep respect for God, a desire to avoid sin and a desire to flee from all attachments to created beings. It helps a person be attentive and ready to respond to the urgings of God.

This type of fear does not hinder us from approaching God, but assists us in approaching God in the proper way. It reminds us of the greatness of the God to whom we are speaking and the smallness of ourselves. From this profound awareness of the true awesomeness of the Almighty God comes reverence. Approaching God without such a fear and reverence is like approaching a friend without any respect for that friend.

Reverence is much deeper than the proper liturgical actions we should expect to find observed in the sanctuary of any Church. Reverence is rather a genuine reflection of the spiritual life. Those who are reverent know God well and their proper place before Him. Those who are not reverent have a superficial idea of God and a poor idea of how they are related to Him. How we conduct ourselves speaks of our reverence and our relationship with God. We show reverence when we truly believe (and act accordingly) that we are in the presence of the Almighty Omnipotent God.

Here are a few ways in which we can make some of these ideas practical: Dress well when going to Mass; do not forget to genuflect when entering the Church pew and when exiting the Church pew; approach Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament with great reverence and speak with Him; make an act of thanksgiving after receiving Holy Communion; (out of greater reverence) receive Communion on the tongue rather than in the hand, since the traditional method of Communion distribution on the tongue should be preserved and encouraged while Communion in the hand “should not be imposed in a way that would exclude the traditional usage” (Memoriale Domini, Instruction of the Congregation for Divine Worship).

My friends, these practices and others are highly recommended by our Catholic Church, even regardless of abuses witnessed in local churches. I recommend the reading of the following Church documents where you will find such practices encouraged: Dominicae Cenae, Inaestimablile Donum, and Sanctus Pontifex, also refer to the 1983 Code of Canon Law and the Notitiae (Instruction for Sacrament and Divine Worship) Vol. XI (1975). Know the practices of reverence the Church officially encourages. It is best to read the official documents of the Church to know these things rather than to depend on others' private ideas about things.

Resolve in this coming year to nurture the holy fear of the Lord in your heart and to train your body in reverent behavior for our dear Lord deserves no less.


Fr. Sullivan, M.J., is a priest with the Miles Jesu order. Miles Jesu is an Institute of Consecrated Life dedicated to promoting reverence to the Blessed Sacrament, devotion to our Lady and faithfulness to the official teachings of the Church. For information on Miles Jesu and its Seminary Program, please call 1-800-654-7945 or visit their website.

[Salvation]

The pendulum is swinging back to the right.

[Salvation]

Resolve in this coming year to nurture the holy fear of the Lord in your heart and to train your body in reverent behavior for our dear Lord deserves no less.

[Salvation]

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[Salvation]

In what one way can I develop more revernce for God whether at Mass or not?

[Salvation]

**(out of greater reverence) receive Communion on the tongue rather than in the hand, since the traditional method of Communion distribution on the tongue should be preserved and encouraged while Communion in the hand “should not be imposed in a way that would exclude the traditional usage” (Memoriale Domini, Instruction of the Congregation for Divine Worship).**

[Knitting A Conundrum]

I understand the need for reverence. I almost never go into the sanctuary without my head covered...not because I am told to do so, but because I feel called to that sign of respect. I wear hats, I wear shawls, and if I forget it, well, I go to mass anyway, but it is sort of something between God and I. It is a sign to me that I am going to visit my Lord, and a mark, at least to myself, of my respect for him.

We have a moderately conservative parish, and a priest who always wears the cassock around his parishoners, and lovely old silk vestments during mass and is pretty conservative himself. We are getting ready to build the new church, and is is so good to see that the tabernacle is going to be behind the altar, where it will be easy to see. Although our current sanctuary was built years ago, it was never ment to be permament, and we kneel on the floor and use moveable seats. It will be good to have real pews and kneelers!

[vrwcagent0498]

I'd like to join your parish. ;)

I am INSISTING that my son, who will make his first Holy Communion next year, to receive it on the tongue, and the tongue ONLY.

[Smartass]

Look down upon me, good and gentile Jesus,
while before Your face I humbly kneel and,
with burning soul, pray and beseech You to
fix deep in my heart libely sentiments of
faith, hope and charity; true contrition for
my sins, and a firm purpose of amendment.

While I comtemplate, with great love and tender
pity, Your five most precious wounds,
ponder over them within me and calling
to mind the words which David, Your
prophet, said to You, my Jesus:
"They have pierced My hands and My feet,
they have numbered all My bones."
Amen.

[vrwcagent0498]

I thought Jesus was a Jew. ;)

[marshmallow]

I was as much interested in the author's religious order as I was in his article. Miles Jesu looks like the real deal. I'd never heard of them. Thanks for posting.

[Gerish]

Receive Communion on the tongue rather than in the hand.........

Sometimes at Mass on Sunday when I should be thanking the Lord after receiving him, I do watch and am amazed that out of 100 or so people at Mass, my husband, myself and two of my children who are old enough to receive are the only ones receiving Our Lord on the tongue. This does sadden me very much, as I find the mannerism is which people take the Lord in their hand and practically run down the aisle before they put him in their mouth more difficult to watch. Very disrespectful and very sad to see. If you know, please refresh my memory - exactly when was this practice started anyway?

[Smartass]

What did I post, to mislead you to think otherwise?

[VermiciousKnid]

Good for you for insisting that your son receive Communion on the tongue, but be prepared to get a fight from his teacher.

I had to call in the monsignor last year while my son was preparing for his First Holy Communion to remind the teachers that reception on the tongue is perfectly acceptable. (And my kids go to Catholic school!)

Anyway, good luck -- I hope you don't have too much trouble.

Regards,

[Salvation]

I had not heard of it either. What did you find out?

[Kolokotronis]

This is a good article, Salvation. In the Orthodox Church, at communion time, the priest comes out from the altar through the Royal Doors, holds aloft the chalice and announces "With the Fear God, Faith and Love, come forward!"

Perhaps needless to say, we don't touch the bread or wine or the chalice. The Body and Blood are mixed together in the chalice and we receive communion on a golden spoon.

[marshmallow]

Just click on the link at the end of the article. It takes you to the Miles Jesu web site.

Spanish Founder....transferred to the US in 1950s.....etc etc. Haven't had a chance to go through it all but they're pro-Pope so that's fine by me.

[Salvation]

From the home page:

Welcome to Miles Jesu!

Fr. Alphonsus Maria Duran, MJ, Founder and General Director of Miles Jesu

Miles Jesu (Latin for "Soldier of Jesus") is a form of consecrated life in the Catholic Church for the laity, known as an Ecclesial Family of Consecrated Life, whose purpose is "to instill Catholic ideals and goals in the world to further the Kingdom of Christ, making Him the Center of all human life". The Holy Father himself is consistently promoting such forms of consecrated life as something especially inspired by the Holy Spirit for the needs of our times. 2004 marks the 40th Anniversary of Miles Jesu.

[Mike Fieschko]

I thought Jesus was a Jew. ;)

Correct use of tense.

[Diago]

The pendulum is swinging back to the right.

In Cleveland, the Pilla Ordo of the Mass was just mandated. Less kneeling more standing. Hand holding. Holding your hands in weird positions during the Our Father....Basically a further homosexualization of the Mass. Certainly not a swing to the right...

[Catholic54321]

Leaving aside the thoughts and statements of the SSPX, sedevacantists, traditionalists, independants, etc., it still baffles me that such conservative-leaning Catholics as I see post here do not bring up the "old-fashioned" idea of kneeling before the presence of the Lord. I've still never heard a satisfactory explanation why there hasn't been a movement to replace the communion rails that were ripped out of so many parishes. If one truly believes it is the Body and Blood of God that you are receiving, why has it become such a point of contention when communion-seekers desire to fall to their knees? I know several SSPXers that point to this as the final straw when they leave. Despite the reservations of some towards the "indult", I thank God that there is one available in my city every week and on holy days so that I can approach my Saviour in a worthy manor.

[sinkspur]

If you know, please refresh my memory - exactly when was this practice started anyway?

Pope Paul VI approved of a general practice of receiving communion in the hand in 1977.

[Salvation]

That doesn't sound good at all -- bet you wish Pilla would cease and desist.

[sinkspur]

I've still never heard a satisfactory explanation why there hasn't been a movement to replace the communion rails that were ripped out of so many parishes.

Receiving the Eucharist in a standing position also reflects respect and reverence.

If one chooses to kneel to receive, that decision should be respected, and will be, in most parishes.

[Salvation]

I totally understand your point, and many of the churches still have the Communion rail there. I have heard all kinds of reasons/excuses. Priests are older so it's too difficult for them to bend down to distribute Communion. etc. etc. Too many old people can't kneel at the Communion rail so what would we do about them?

I had an interesting experience in visiting an Anglican Parish in Portland Oregon, while my son was attending there. They used the Communion Rail!!!!

[Catholic54321]

I suppose sinkspur, and I'm not here condemning the practice at all, but do you not see a difference? I see your explanation as "good enough". It just seems that "good enough" is often not. We're all called to be saints and "good enough" doesn't play the same as "my utmost". As far as most churches allowing you to kneel if you wish, it is true, however to me "most churches" is the same as saying good enough. I'm not trying to argue with you, I just want to hear some thoughts on this. If Jesus appeared before you right now, would stand and look Him in the eye as a sign of respect or would you fall down before Him?

[Catholic54321]

Salvation, those reasons (that I've heard also) were never in question. Dispensation was always available for anyone truly in need of it.

[sinkspur]

If Jesus appeared before you right now, would stand and look Him in the eye as a sign of respect or would you fall down before Him?

I don't really know. I suppose I'd fall down, but I have no doubt that He'd lift me up, right away.

[broadsword]

In what one way can I develop more revernce for God whether at Mass or not?

Try this prayer many times a day: Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner, who has nothing that was not received from Thee.

Humility can help to develop reverence. Try visiting the Blessed Sacrament every day and spending some time kneeling before a crucifix and meditating on His sacrafice for you--a sacrafice HE did not need or want for Himself.

[broadsword]

So many glibly approach the Infinite God as if they were His peer. I believe they will have a rude surprise one final day.

[vrwcagent0498]

The prayer has "gentile" instead of gentle.

[Kolokotronis]

In the early Church and to this day in the East, kneeling on Sundays and at Easter time was forbidden because the Liturgy is seen as a joyous celebration of the Resurrection, a festal day. Kneeling is a penitential act. Kneeling on Sundays and for the reception of communion arose in the Middle Ages in the West as a symbol of the submission of a vassal to his Lord. Standing to receive communion is not at all a mark of disrespect but rather the joyous approach of a Christian, a child of God and heir to the Kingdom, to God. This practice is 2000 years old. Your communion rails are all that remain of the iconostasia of the original churches.

[Dominick]

I got some static from the DRE about the tongue when my middle daughter had First Communion, but I was pleasently surprised when my daughter demanded it.

[Dominick]

If Jesus appeared before you right now, would stand and look Him in the eye as a sign of respect or would you fall down before Him?

I would probably drop dead from fright! I am not sure what my Lord would want of me, or if he was coming to slap me upside the head like I expect.

[Diago]

That doesn't sound good at all -- bet you wish Pilla would cease and desist.

I am praying that God brings Cleveland an orthodox Catholic bishop by whatever means He chooses. The Pilla reign has been very damaging to the faith of many individual Catholics I know personally. When you extrapolate that out to people I don't know, it is a major tragedy.

Thank you for pointing out that there are signs of hope out there.

Have a Happy New Year!

[.45MAN]

Have never done any different............

[Salvation]

Try this prayer many times a day: Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner, who has nothing that was not received from Thee.

Excellent suggestion. I had forgotten that little prayer.

[Salvation]

Thank you for that historical update.

[Salvation]

OK, I will pray for the reconversion of Pilla's soul instead.

[Kolokotronis]

" Try this prayer many times a day: Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner, who has nothing that was not received from Thee."

This is a variation of an ancient Eastern noetic prayer, or prayer of the heart, used by the Orthodox, especially the holy monastics, to "pray unceasingly". We pray: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner." Our spiritual fathers teach us to practice this continually until it in fact becomes an unceasing prayer in our hearts at all times of the day no matter what we are doing. It focuses the soul of Christ and advances one in theosis. It is absolutely worth doing. I never knew that Romans also used this prayer.

[Smartass]

I didn't notice.   The prayer originated from a Catholic web site.   Not much I can do about their error.   Moreover, rule 101 with me, is that I never argue religion with anyone.

[Catholic54321]

Fair statement Kolokotronis, but remember that this discussion is concerning the Latin Rite. As I'm sure you already know, the different rites all "developed" independently of each other, basing their Masses on the existing cultures. I've been to several of the eastern rite services and find them quite beautiful and moving. There isn't any question of their validity or reverence(of the ones that are in full communion wih Rome). As far as I know, all of the approved rites celebrate both the Lord's resurrection as well as His passion, however the Latin rite stresses his suffering more so than in the east. I don't think anyone here claimed that standing was a sign of disrespect at all but if we are not vassals to the Lord while on this earth, then what are we?
By the way, isn't that prayer known as the "Jesus Prayer"? It is a wonderful method of continuous prayer.

[Kolokotronis]

"I don't think anyone here claimed that standing was a sign of disrespect at all but if we are not vassals to the Lord while on this earth, then what are we?"

I am sorry of I gave you the impression that I believed that any of you held to the belief that receiving communion standing was in some way disrespectful. I know you do not believe that. What I meant to do was demonstrate that standing is probably an older way of receiving communion on Sunday than kneeling.

"There isn't any question of their validity or reverence(of the ones that are in full communion wih Rome)."

:) And we love you guys too!

"... if we are not vassals to the Lord while on this earth, then what are we?"

Interesting and rather Orthodox take on things here! When the priest gives us communion, he uses the Greek words "O Thoulos tou Theou...." Thoulos is usually translated "servant" but in fact it means a type of slave. Thus he says, "The slave of God (so and so) receives the Body and Blood, etc".

" By the way, isn't that prayer known as the "Jesus Prayer"? It is a wonderful method of continuous prayer."

Indeed it is. I have tried for years to actually master it. My wife has succeeded. I keep planning on making a pilgrimage to a monastery at the Holy Mountain to really concentrate on this, but something always comes up, some excuse not to go which is no excuse at all.

[Catholic54321]

lol Thanks! We love you too!

[Gingersnap]

Although this article is primarily aimed at Catholics, I think it has a lot to say for all Christians. Leaving aside the kneeling/standing, tongue/hand issues (as a Continuing Anglican I kneel and receive on the tongue), reverence in general is important for all Christians.

As human beings, we express reverence in our speech, in our postures, and in our actions. There is nothing wrong with expressing joy in the Lord but nothing can replace expressing reverence and awe. Let's face it, we don't deserve anything from God. Acting (and being) humble and thankful in corporate prayer is one way of reminding ourselves of the great gifts we have received.

[Salvation]

**reverence in general is important for all Christians**

Amen!

[american colleen]

Found this the other day... thought you might like it if you haven't seen it already. Valaam Monastery - if you click on the pics of the cd's, each chant will play when you click it. They are lovely.

[Kolokotronis]

Thanks for the link; I'll try listening to the chants this evening at home. Valaam is of course one of the grat monasteries of Russia and Orthodoxy and is sometimes called "The Athos of the North".