The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy: There we read:

Servers, readers, commentators, and members of the choir also exercise a genuine liturgical
function. They ought, therefore, to discharge their offices with the sincere piety and decorum
demanded by so exalted a ministry and rightly expected of them by God’s people.
Consequently they must all be deeply imbued with the spirit of the liturgy, each in his own
measure, and they must be trained to perform their functions in a correct and orderly manner.
(No. 29).
REVERENCE FOR THE WORD OF GOD
When we think of how Jesus Christ is present at Mass, we normally first think of his
presence in the Blessed Sacrament, in the bread as the Bread of Life, received in Holy
Communion. But as we read in the Instruction on the Mass, Jesus Christ is present in four
ways, namely (1) in the people who gather (where two or three gather, I am in your midst),
(2) in the person of the priest, (3) in the Word of Scripture, and (4) in the consecrated bread
and wine, which is the Body and Blood of Christ.
Christ is really present in the assembly gathered in his name; he is present in the person of the
minister, in his own word, and indeed substantially and permanently under the Eucharistic
elements (No. 27).
GIRM (No. 120 – 123)
The Introductory Rites When the people are gathered, the Priest and ministers, wearing the
sacred Vestments, go in procession to the altar in this order:
a. the thurifer carrying a smoking thurible, if incense is being used;
b. ministers who carry lighted candles, and between them an acolyte or other minister
with the cross;
c. the acolytes and the other ministers;
d. a reader, who may carry a Book of the Gospels (though not a Lectionary), slightly
elevated;
e. The Priest who is to celebrate the Mass.

During the procession to the altar, the Entrance Chant takes place (cf. nos. 47- 48).
When they reach the altar, the Priest and ministers make a profound bow. The cross adorned
with a figure of Christ crucified, and carried in procession, may be placed next to the altar to
serve as the altar cross, in which case it must be the only cross used; otherwise it is put away
in a dignified place. As for the candlesticks, these are placed on the altar or near it. It is a
praiseworthy practice for the Book of the Gospels to be placed on the altar. The Priest goes up
to the altar and venerates it with a kiss. Then, if appropriate, he incenses the cross and the
altar, walking around the latter.

IMPORTANCE THEN OF BOWING AND GENUFLECTING

The Lectors, servers and priest bow to the altar, genuflect before the Tabernacle (reverence).
The server and lector bow to each other (reverence for the proclaimation of the Word); lector
bows to the priest (reverence for the person of Christ).
Genuflecting before the altar after communion (reverence for Christ Himself present in the
bread and wine).