Kneel to your GOD!

We Kneel to Our GOD!

"Therefore GOD also has exalted Him and has bestowed upon Him the name that is above every name, so that AT THE NAME OF JESUS EVERY KNEE SHOULD BEND of those in heaven, on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess that
the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of GOD the Father."
Philippians 2:9-11

Unfortunately, in some parishes, the priest requires the parishioners to stand during the most holy part of the Mass, the Consecration. When asked why they do this, they either refuse to answer or they say that Vatican Council II requires it.

Let us see exactly what Vatican Council II really does say regarding this subject...

General Instructions:
Chapter II:

20. A bodily posture common to all who are present is a sign of their unity with each other as a congregation; it expresses the mental attitude and dispositions of those taking part and enhances them.
21. To achieve this bodily posture the faithful should heed the directions given to them in the course of the celebration by the deacon, the priest, or other assistant. Unless some contrary instruction has been given, they should in all forms of the Mass, stand from the moment the priest enters or reaches the altar until the end of the Collect; also at the Alleluia before the Gospel; during the Gospel itself, the Creed and the Prayer of the Faithful; in addition from the Prayer over the Gifts until the end of Mass except where indicated below.
They should sit during the readings which precede the Gospel and during the Responsorial Psalm; for the homily, and during the Preparation of the Gifts; also when it seems fitting, during the silence which follows the distribution of Communion. But unless impeded by lack of space, density of the crowd or other reasonable cause, THEY SHOULD KNEEL DOWN FOR THE CONSECRATION.

This excerpt from Vatican II can be found in "Vatican Collection Volume 1, Vatican Council II, the Conciliar and Post Conciliar Documents", Costello Publishing Company, page 167.

As you can see, the document from Vatican II does NOT say to stand during the Consecration, but it does say to KNEEL DOWN. I have yet to see an "other reasonable cause" regarding this rubric.

The Roman Missal says essentially the same thing...

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (G.I.R.M. 4th edition) Issued 27 March, 1975
Introduction:
Chapter I: Importance and Dignity of the Eucharistic Celebration

Chapter II: Structure, Elements, and Parts of the Mass General Structure of the Mass Different Elements of the Mass Individual Parts of the Mass Introductory Rites Liturgy of the Word Liturgy of the Eucharist Concluding Rite

20. The uniformity in standing, kneeling, or sitting to be observed by all taking part is a sign of the community and the unity of the assembly; it both expresses and fosters the spiritual attitude of those taking part. [28]

21. For the sake of uniformity in movement and posture, the people should follow the directions given during the celebration by the deacon, the priest, or another minister. Unless other provision is made, at every Mass the people should stand from the beginning of the entrance song or when the priest enters until the end of the opening prayer or collect; for the singing of the Alleluia before the Gospel; while the Gospel is proclaimed; during the profession of faith and the general intercessions; from the prayer over the gifts to the end of the Mass, except at the places indicated later in this paragraph. They should sit during the readings before the Gospel and during the Responsorial Psalm, for the homily and the presentation of the gifts, and, if this seems helpful, during the period of silence after Communion. They should kneel at the Consecration unless prevented by lack of space, the number of people present, or some other GOOD REASON.
But it is up to the conference of bishops to adapt the actions and postures described in the Order of the Roman Mass to the customs of the people. [29] But the conference must make sure that such adaptations correspond to the meaning and character of each part of the celebration.

Priests have no authority to circumvent the postures decreed by the G.I.R.M.. If a priest has said we must stand during the consecration, the laity has the right to respectfully decline to do so...

Canon 214:
The Christian faithful have the right to worship GOD according to the prescriptions of their own rite approved by the legitimate pastors of the Church, and to follow their own form of spiritual life consonant with the teaching of the Church.
1983 Code of Canon Law.

In addition, the priest cannot refuse reception of Holy Communion to those who respectfully decline to stand during the consecration...

Canon 843:
1. The sacred ministers cannot refuse the sacraments to those who ask for them at appropriate times, are properly disposed, and are not prohibited by law from receiving them.
1983 Code of Canon Law.

The Daily Missal which is provided by all Churches, tells the parishioners what postures to assume at which points in the Mass. It tells us all to KNEEL from the end of the Sanctus, to the end of the Great Amen. The Sanctus is before the Consecration and the Great Amen is after it.

In this writing, I have provided three authentic Church documents, all of which say the same thing, we do not stand for the Consecration, but we KNEEL to Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Bible references. We Kneel before our GOD...

1Kings 8:54, 2Chronicles 6:13-14, Ezra 9:5, Psalm 95:6-7, Isaiah 45:24, Daniel 6:10,10:9-10, Matthew 2:11,17:14, Mark 1:40,10:17, Luke 22:41, Acts 9:40,20:36,21:5, Rom 14:11, Ephesians 3:14, Philippians 2:9-11.

"...For we all stand at the judgment seat of GOD; for it is written, As I LIVE, says the Lord, to Me EVERY KNEE SHALL BEND, and every tongue shall give praise to GOD."
Romans 14:10-11

Does not this verse describe the Consecration? As the priest calls down THE WORD with his word, the bread and the wine become the LIVING GOD in totality, BODY, BLOOD, SOUL, and DIVINITY. Who would not feel in his heart, the yearning to kneel before the LIVING GOD?
It would be even more reverent for us to prostrate ourselves before Him.