***That is because there is no “altar” in most Protestant churches. There is no need to sacrifice Christ again. His one-time perfect sacrifice was offered to and accepted by God at Calvary, per Hebrews.***
Do you think so little of what Christ did that you would be willing to deny the importance of the sacrifice of the Mass? I know, I know. Paul didn’t tell you guys personally to follow the words of Christ, so you don’t. You guys don’t believe in Transubstantiation; the words and actions of the first Christians were so much hooey and the Church Fathers are considered by the Reformed to be incompetent fools. St. Augustine is merely one of the misled, until the Reformed delves into his heretical period, and then, by gosh, it’s all love and devotion and brotherhood.
The priest, as a member of the congregation should be looking, with the people, up to God and addressing Him as a people, not as in the Protestant prayer barns with the prancing, dancing, shouting, haranguing, snake oil salesmen shaking their fists, stamping their feet, and pounding their Bibles.
Look at the televangelists. They are trying to be rock stars, or great and wise statesmen, or squeeze the tears from your eyes as they squeeze the cash from your wallet.
I find it easier to be in a spiritual frame of mind in a Catholic Church as opposed to a gymnasium or arena. But if somebody finds differently, so be it. The place that I have felt the greatest presence of God is in the Dom in Cologne, Germany. The feeling was almost overwhelming as I walked into it. No, I haven’t been to St. Peter’s yet.
Westminster Cathedral was also awe inspiring, and we have a number of places like that in the US and Canada.
What Christ did was save the eternal souls of all His sheep. All history builds to Christ risen from the cross. All future flows from Christ risen on the cross.
And it was a one-time offering, made by Christ and accepted by God.
Read Hebrews.
Therefore I deny the Mass. Period. It blasphemes the accomplished work of Christ. It is offered by "another Christ" repetitively.
But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." -- Hebrews 10:11-14"And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
As for me, I don't care for any modernist rendering of a church. Have you seen the new cathedral in L.A? It's atrocious, IMO. I like a small wooden structure with sloping pews and the pulpit center-stage. Much like Alpha-8-25-02's beautiful little church back east.
A kirk in the valley. That's my preference.