Your body’s not just along for the ride at Mass, it’s part of the prayer.
This Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 18:9–14) sets the tone: a tax collector beats his chest in humility, while a Pharisee puffs himself up in pride. One goes home justified. The other... not so much. Fr. Jonathan Meyer joins us on All Set for Sunday to unpack how posture reveals the posture of our soul and how it can even transform it.
Scripture Snapshots:
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Sirach reminds us that God is not impressed by status. He hears the cry of the poor (Sirach 35:12–14, 16–18). No favorites, just faithfulness.
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The Psalm is a fan favorite: “The Lord hears the cry of the poor” a musical and theological banger.
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In 2 Timothy, Paul gives his victory lap speech: “I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith” (2 Tim 4:6–8, 16–18). His eyes are on the prize, the crown of righteousness.
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And in the Gospel, Jesus contrasts the proud Pharisee and the humble tax collector. Guess who God listens to?
Fr. Meyer’s Message:
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Our bodies preach. At Mass, our gestures, kneeling, genuflecting, bowing, even folding our hands, all of it speaks.
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Drawing from communication theory (and a viral TED Talk by Amy Cuddy), Fr. Meyer explains how our posture shapes our focus, attentiveness, and openness to grace.
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Catholics have a rich tradition of embodied prayer from St. Dominic’s nine ways of prayer to the simple act of striking one’s chest during the Confiteor.
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His encouragement? Let your body lead your soul. Feeling distracted or spiritually dry? Start with a prayerful posture, and your heart might just follow.
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🧦 Product Spotlight: St. Dominic Socks
Since we’re talking about posture and prayer, what better companion than St. Dominic, who literally wrote the book on prayer postures?
