"It's the Sacraments (especially the presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist) that separates Catholics from many other Christians. My best understanding of this is that not only is God the Creator of all things, but He exists within, and works through, what He has Created."
If God is everywhere, why do you need Him in the wafer top help you?
Just pray, seek, need, etc., and He'll answer then, also, wouldn't He, as much as if you've eaten a wafer with His Real Presence?
Ed
"If God is everywhere, why do you need Him in the wafer top help you?"
God is not present everywhere, especially in a human heart that rejects God. That is His gift of free will. If He commands Himself everywhere (including Hell), then His creation would not be the reality we know right now.
Sacraments and Ceremony:
Why does a Marine have to raise his hand to give an oath upon promotion? Didn't already go through a similar ceremony before with a raised hand? Why does he salute the same superior officers every day? Why does he stand in formation for every flag raising and retiring?
If you have already told your spouse that you love her, then why does a husband need to say it again and again...and show her with actions? What's the use of giving flowers that die. Is really only to cover the stench of a fart? Doesn't a rose have more significance?
Why do most women keep every love note their man has given them? Are they going to use this as evidence in a court of law? What's the meaning of a "thing" like a love letter in a loving relationship?
Like I said before. Judeo Christian Faith is not gnostic.
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06592a.htm
We are still fighting a spiritual battle against those spirits who've rejected creation. The Sacramental life is not pious poems and movements. Christ instituted the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist when he said, "This IS my body." Christ conquers evil through God's Creation because Creation is "good".
The cynicism that rejects clearly defined actions and institutions is like an unrepentant US President that belittles the American Senate and People over definitions of "is". Focusing on the Word of God and His promise and command is like pouring hot cools on the wicked (it's similar to mentioning the blood poured out on the cross and the victory of the Arch Angels is very repulsive to devils).