A Religion of the Whole Person

Mark Shea has a good article that explains why the gestures of Catholicism are such an important aspect of our faith. It's a religion of the whole body and not just the head!

"This is the reason for all the signs of the cross, genuflection, bowing, kneeling, uplifted hands, responsorials, anointing, exchanging of greetings, rituals, and rites. We are learning, not merely with our heads, but with our arms and legs as well how to be like him. We are receiving, not just ideas, but a life from Christ. And life for him (and for us) is a bodily thing." ...But a gospel that is only words and addresses only our head is not the gospel of the Word made flesh. We need the fullness of the gift God has given us: a gift that is revealed not only in words, but in the breaking of the bread as well."