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Hi, Aryhl —
Thanks for your question.
While we should show reverence when receiving Communion.
The verse you reference has absolutely nothing to
with how we receive Communion.
The verse in question comes from Paul's letter to
the Philippians. Let's look at it in context.
1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ,
any incentive of love, any participation in the
Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete
my joy by being of the same mind, having the same
love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do
nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility
count others better than yourselves. 4 Let each
of you look not only to his own interests, but
also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind
among yourselves, which was in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not
count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant,
being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being
found in human form he humbled himself and became
obedient unto death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore
God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him
the name which is above every name, 10 that at
the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven
and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every
tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the
glory of God the Father.
(Philippians 2:1-12 RSV-CE)
Paul is using Christ as our example of humility
and obedience. Because of His obedience to the Father,
Jesus was exalted by the Father. For this reason,
Paul encourages the Philippian Church to stop it's
grumbling and put aside it's petty bickering. This
becomes more clear as Paul continues his thought
in the subsequent verses.
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed,
so now, not only as in my presence but much more
in my absence, work out your own salvation with
fear and trembling; 13 for God is at work in you,
both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without grumbling or questioning, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children
of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked
and perverse generation, among whom you shine as
lights in the world
(Philippians 2:12-15 RSV-CE)
No where is there any sacramental language or any
reference to how we should receive Communion. In
fact, in the Eastern Churches they have never knelt
during any part of the Divine Liturgy.
Kneeling is strictly a Western tradition which has
become, in our culture, the most common posture of
reverence. You are not going to find a particular
verse in the Scriptures which tells us what posture
we must take when receiving the Eucharist. Certainly
the text you quoted from Philippians can't be forced
to say it, without completely wrenching it out of context.
John DiMascio
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