Kneeling is Believing

(Public Domain)

The word “kneel” is closely related to the word “knee.”  In fact, it means “to go down or rest on one or both knees.”  The Latin term for “knee” is genu, as in the verb “genuflect.”  

Ashley Lewis of Readers Digest points out that many religions closely associate kneeling with prayer.  Dropping down in this manner expresses “devoted service and everlasting respect.”  It symbolizes submission to God’s eternal will.

It has become fashionable to kneel during marriage proposals.  This harkens back to the days of medieval courtship, when knights would genuflect before noblewomen and feudal lords.  Such displays of romanticism can be fine, so long as the line between worldly passion and idol worship is not breached.

Resources

http://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/weddings/this-is-why-you-get-down-on-one-knee-to-propose/ar-AAn913s?li=BBnbcA0&ocid=BHEA000 

Copyright February 26, 2017 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved