By Fr. Andrew Kelly
SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER – 5-25-14
Why should the following be normal behavior among believers? When entering the worship space, the believer profoundly bows before the Lord’s Table and then kisses. Next the believer turns toward the Book of Scriptures, bows profoundly and then kisses. Finally the believer turns toward other assembled believers, bows profoundly and then kisses (offers the sign of peace).
Why all this bowing and kissing? Simply because the believer sees what the risen Jesus is reflecting upon in Sunday’s Gospel (John 14:15).
“And I will ask the Father, and the Father will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth …You know the Spirit, because the Spirit abides with you, and the Spirit will be in you … I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you …On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.”
The believer sees the risen Jesus at the Lord’s Table, hears the risen Jesus in the Book, and touches the risen Jesus in each assembled believer. In the presence of the risen Jesus, bowing profoundly and then kissing lovingly become second nature to those who see Jesus’ risen presence every Sunday in the worship space.
(Father Andrew Kelly is a retired priest of the Diocese of Davenport.)
