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anon64704623
Guest
For example, bowing, kneeling, raising my hands, crossing of forehead/lips/heart, close palm, beating of chest, sit, stand, genuflect, etc.
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Greenfields
Guest
Going out of your way not to show loving respect of God in blessing your self,kneeling and genreflecting would be showing some sort of rebelliousness ,some obstinacy .
There is a time and a place for everything .
There is nothing wrong with them if they are done at the right time and in the right place .
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TraditCatholic
Guest
Depends why you neglect to do such “prayer gestures” is it because of pride? or are you ashamed of your faith/people will judge you?
Tis_Bearself
Patron
Depends on why you are not doing them.
Are you physically disabled, injured, sick, in pain etc. and can’t do the gesture or just not feeling well enough? Then not a sin.
Did you get confused or distracted and just forget to do something? Like when everybody crossed themselves during Mass you were thinking about something else and missed doing it? Probably not a sin, but try to focus better next time because you’re supposed to be doing the gesture.
Did you willfully not do it because you don’t want to respect God? Then your disrespect of God is a sin.
Are you a non-Catholic who for example doesn’t genuflect in front of the tabernacle because you don’t believe in the Real Presence, or because you were raised to believe that a bow was appropriate? Probably not a sin, but you should at least try to be reverent when in someone else’s church, or else don’t visit there.
Are you physically disabled, injured, sick, in pain etc. and can’t do the gesture or just not feeling well enough? Then not a sin.
Did you get confused or distracted and just forget to do something? Like when everybody crossed themselves during Mass you were thinking about something else and missed doing it? Probably not a sin, but try to focus better next time because you’re supposed to be doing the gesture.
Did you willfully not do it because you don’t want to respect God? Then your disrespect of God is a sin.
Are you a non-Catholic who for example doesn’t genuflect in front of the tabernacle because you don’t believe in the Real Presence, or because you were raised to believe that a bow was appropriate? Probably not a sin, but you should at least try to be reverent when in someone else’s church, or else don’t visit there.
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MaryEstelle2
Guest
To be reverent is good, but don’t you wonder how many people do them(signs) as automatic learned reflex? Also, if you can’t you just can’t. Do not judge the exterior signs of reverence as the condition of the interior spiritual wealth of anyone.
Tis_Bearself
Patron
Perhaps “respectful” would be a better word to use.
I don’t want somebody to come in laughing and joking and making a show of ignoring the tabernacle just because they don’t believe.
I don’t want somebody to come in laughing and joking and making a show of ignoring the tabernacle just because they don’t believe.
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Dlee
Guest
I often can’t kneel because of my back/knees. I remember during my RCIA time, when Father gave the final prayer and blessing, I crossed the entire church like Father, instead of myself! Woops 
And then there was the time I went to an evening Mass and sat up front, only to realize there was no one in front of me so I could follow all the “Catholic calisthenics.”
And then there was the time I went to an evening Mass and sat up front, only to realize there was no one in front of me so I could follow all the “Catholic calisthenics.”
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Reverent_Howler
Guest
One cannot expect the impossible. Besides, the hosts of the Catholic Answers radio show say one isn’t required to raise hands or hold hands at Mass. Some of these gestures were imposed by the Charismatics or neo-modernists “to show unity” IMHO.
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anon64704623
Guest
I wondered if Jesus did all these gestures during his time.
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RandomAlias
Guest
Jesus surely used the gestures and signs that were appropriate in his time and culture, in order to show honor, respect, and love to those around him and to the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Most likely he would have used the customary Jewish and Middle Eastern gestures and postures. There is no reason to believe that Jesus made the Sign of the Cross.
Most likely he would have used the customary Jewish and Middle Eastern gestures and postures. There is no reason to believe that Jesus made the Sign of the Cross.
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MaryEstelle2
Guest
Now, why would Jesus make the sign of the cross before His crucifixion?
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Hereiam
Guest
Pay more attention to your attitudes and behavior outside liturical or prayerful settings and you will be showing greater reverence…James wites, we should be doers and not just hearers of the word.
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anon64704623
Guest
If i dont understand the gestures but i copy it anyway will i sin?
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anon64704623
Guest
What if i just do whatever others did without understanding? Will i sin?
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RandomAlias
Guest
No, you would not sin by copying what other people do. These gestures are not requirements that must be performed in a certain way or with your full attention or intention. They are for your benefit. They can help you to pray. They can remind you of what is happening or what you are doing. They can be a way for you to express your love for God.
For example, the gesture of crossing our forehead, lips, and heart is to remind us that the Gospel reading we are about to hear should take effect on our mind, our speech, and our heart. Some people, as they do this gesture, silently pray “May your Word be always on my mind, on my lips, and in my heart,” or a similar prayer. I don’t always bring those words to my mind, but just envision what they mean, like a wordless prayer.
For example, the gesture of crossing our forehead, lips, and heart is to remind us that the Gospel reading we are about to hear should take effect on our mind, our speech, and our heart. Some people, as they do this gesture, silently pray “May your Word be always on my mind, on my lips, and in my heart,” or a similar prayer. I don’t always bring those words to my mind, but just envision what they mean, like a wordless prayer.
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