Thank you so much for that great response. I’ll try it.
When you say you fold your hands in front of you, are you lacing your fingers together and folding them tightly or are you placing your palms together with the fingers straight up?
What are you doing when we say, “For the kingdom, power, and glory are yours...”? Are you lifting your hands up toward heaven?
>>When you say you fold your hands in front of you, are you lacing your fingers together and folding them tightly or are you placing your palms together with the fingers straight up?<<
I lace my fingers and have taught my children to do the same. To me, that is a universal posture that says “leave me alone, I’m praying.” Most people get it. If they don’t, they deserve to be ignored.
>>What are you doing when we say, “For the kingdom, power, and glory are yours...”? Are you lifting your hands up toward heaven?<<
I don’t, but I don’t see any reason why you couldn’t. While the “hands extended” (orans) position is truly reserved for the Priest and Deacon, folding one’s hands is the laity’s posture. Personally, I don’t do any of the “Catholic Calisthenics” that the innovators have added. No swaying, no “Lift up your hearts” freethrow toss, no handholding. AND when we travel through the summer and go to different parishes, I put my girls between my husband and myself so they don’t have to deal with anyone.
The Our Father is during the Liturgy of the Eucharist. We should be concentrating on Jesus, right there on the Altar. I always say to people, “If Jesus appeared standing on the Altar, would you be grabbing for your neighbor’s hand? I sure wouldn’t. I’d be on my face, begging forgiveness. Well he is right there on the altar. Body and Blood, soul and divinity.”
rant off/