What Does genuflect Mean
The adjective genuflexo allows to qualify the one who is on his knees . The term derives from the medieval Latin genuflexus , in turn linked to genuflectere (which translates as "kneel" ).
Genuflecting, therefore, is the act of lowering the knee toward the ground . In ancient times, this action was a bow to someone powerful. For a long time, for example, Christians have genuflected before the tabernacle that houses the Eucharist.
The place where the sacred host is stored in churches belonging to the Catholic religion is known by the name of the tabernacle or tabernacle . The sacred host is a piece of bread that is made without yeast (that is why it is called unleavened ) and with wheat flour; It is shaped like a circle and the priest hands it over to the faithful as part of the mass at the time of the " offering " or "sacrifice without shedding of blood."
The act of lowering the knee before the consecrated host is considered a sign of adoration towards Jesus Christ . In turn, it reflects the believer's submission to divinity. The genuflection also appears before the pope .
In the context of the ordinary Mass , that is, the one that the Catholic Church celebrates daily as part of the normal approach to God and his teachings but without any special or extraordinary reason, the priest must genuflect on different occasions, which are set out below :
* as soon as you arrive at the presbytery (the area of the main altar that extends to the end of the steps by which it is ascended; in general, the presbytery is delimited with a railing or fence), if it is reserved in the tabernacle the Blessed Sacrament;
* after having raised the host;
* once you have raised the chalice with the holy wine, which represents the blood that Jesus Christ shed to save human beings from the consequences of their own sins;
* before commencing the moment of communion ;
* throughout the entire celebration, once the host has been consecrated, each time it passes in front of the Blessed Sacrament.
As is to be expected, the faithful must also genuflect in some of the same situations as the priest, although in the context of Mass they do not move from their seats. When visiting the church outside of a celebration, they must genuflect each time they pass in front of the tabernacle, even if the consecration of the host has not taken place . During Mass, consecration is one of the situations in which they must kneel, as well as the reading of the Gospel. Ultimately, genuflecting is a sign of worship and respect that believers embrace as part of their communication with God.
Formerly a genuflection was also made before a monarch . Nowadays, on the other hand, it is rare for an individual to genuflect in front of another human being , regardless of formal greetings such as bows.
Today, the use of the genuflex concept is linked to abiding by all mandates and fulfilling the will of someone with power . The genuflecting subject, in this framework, is symbolically kneeling before the other.
A journalist who, for receiving money and favors from a ruler, never criticizes him and limits himself to spreading positive news about his management, can be classified as genuflecting. Viewers, listeners or readers cannot expect an objective look at reality or impartial information, since the journalist in question is subordinate to the ruler and does not intend to upset him. This means that the reporter privileges the observance of the indications of the powerful before the fulfillment of his work as a communicator.