Originally posted by Jill2778:
I am not thankful at all. To me, the first 24 years of my religious upbringing were a waste of time. I never knew Christ in the Catholic church. To me He was an unreachable giant. When I started attending church with the Baptists (and became Baptist) I learned what a real relationship with Christ is really about.
[/QUOTE]I did not realize it was possible for Christ to be physically present in your Eucharist as well as physically present sitting at the right hand of the Father on a throne in Heaven, also, I did not realize Christ could be physically present in millions of churches worldwide at the same time. I also didn't realize Christ could be present physically in the tablenacle when Mass is not going on and also sitting on His throne in Heaven. Wow. [/QB][/QUOTE]
I can understand the comments of Jill regarding her years in the RCC. However having spent twentytwo years in the RCC in Dublin I am grateful in so many ways to the RCC.
Firstly I was given some very critical instruction regarding doctines like, the Godhead, the Trinity, the Ressurection and assension so that when I became a true christian (ie Evangelical Protestant) through a real change in my life brought about by accepting the teachings of God's Word as opposed to what I had been taught on the means of a sinner being reconciled to God, I was not confused by the departure of so many Protestants (Liberal and Modernists) from most of the basic doctrines of the Faith. The RCC taught me well.
I am equally grateful to the RCC, and Jill if you think about this I am sure you will be also, that having had first hand experience of the emptyness both in my own life and with the testimony of my friends and indeed as expressed by many priests. Having seen how without money Mass could not be said for your loved ones(Dublin RC saying "High money High Mass, Low Money Low Mass, no money No Mass)I understand what is meant by trying to quench your thirst from an empty well.
When I return to Dublin, as I do, some of my family and old friends, still RC's criticise the RCC more than I ever do.
With regard to Christ being present in the Eucharist perhaps an American Roman Catholic can explain something to me that Catholics overhere cannot explain. If Jn 6 v 53 refers to the Eucharist how do you explain the words of Jesus"Unless you eat and drink you have NO LIFE in you"
Every blessing to all
Prionseas