After some thought on this and some reading of Kung and Zanzig, interesting very interesting, I think that I have figured out the rationale behind the standing versus the kneeling postures.
According to these two theologians and many others, both in and out of the Church, historically, the Catholic Church operated in what was termed a Christology from above model which envisioned Jesus primarily as a divinity. In fact his divine nature was exalted and trumpeted far above his humanity. To that end it was only proper that Jesus be accorded all the respect and dignity due someone who on the earth would be the equivalent of a King. So popular devotions such as Expositions, benedictions, Adorations etc were the norm and and kneeling to receive Holy Communion was proper. It also resulted in the general feeling that Christmas, celebrating the birth of the Man God and the Messiah was the pre-eminant Christian festival
Today the Church operates in what is termed a Christology from below model, which was trumepted by Kung and other theologians at Vatican II. Christology from below envisions Christ’ humanity, more than his divinity. It does not deny his divinity, but pretty much ignores it. It is pointed out that Jesus started his ministry late in life, that he lived, suffered and died a man, rather than as a God. Many proponents of this model feel that Christ became aware of his mission gradually, thus explaining why He started so late in life. He is even referred to as a first century Jewish teacher healer and prophet in some of their writings, rather than as the Son of God .While He was certainly those things He was first of all the Son of God and the Second Member of the Blessed Trinity.
In todays worship, we are told to, envision Christ in the community, to see him in each other, to see him as a brother, to have that deep personal relationship with him. To see him as everybody and in everybody. Hence, kneeling would not be required or even correct, because you would not kneel to your friends. It is also the reason that such Christ/Diety devotions that were popular, Expositions, Benedictions and Adorations were stooped in so many places and actively discouraged in many others. Such devotions did not fit the model of Christ/Man. It also resulted in the belief in the celebration of Easter as being considered the pre-eminant Christian festival, because in it the Christ as man, and by extension we as men have through Gods grace defeated death and been resurrected
An aside, the entire Christology from below model appears to me to be nothing more than a watered down version of the Arian and Adoptionist Heresies of the early church. Just my opinion by the way.
Note: This is just an opinion that I have after reading a lot on this subject. It certainly does explain a lot of things that have occurred in the past fifty years or so in the Church and the introduction of some practices and the decline of others…
