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In no way were they worshipping that hunk of wood. Though surely, by a reasonable measure to an on-looker - the practice itself would seem an abomination under this Scripture.... I’m very certain, to my cousins and those I know who participated, it was a physical acting out of the humility and gratitude they feel – and most importantly, it was done in obedience to the tradition of the Catholic Church. If the tradition were to lay prostrate before the crucifix, that is what they would do (if they could.) Truly, they were not worshipping the wood.

Dearest sister in Christ, this to me is a fine example of keen spiritual discernment on your part. The surface appearance might indicate the worshippers indeed were venerating a "hunk of wood." But they would not have understood their act in this manner but rather, as you say, as "a physical acting out of the humility and gratitude they feel" for the sacrifice of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

It seems to me that the Catholic tradition pays more attention to the complementarity and reconciliation of the physical and spiritual dimensions of human life than the Reformed Church does, which seems to have an almost exclusive concern with the spiritual. That is probably why one typically finds in Catholic churches amazing appeals to sensory experience, through such media as art and architecture, music, the use of incense, the physical aspects of ritual, and so forth. All of these are ultimately appeals to spirit, mediated by bodily experience, intended to unify the Body of Christ and join us to Him through commonly-shared experiences.

At least, that is my understanding.

Thank you ever so much for your splendid essay-post, dearest sister in Him!

To God be the glory!

It seems to me that the Catholic tradition pays more attention to the complementarity and reconciliation of the physical and spiritual dimensions of human life than the Reformed Church does, which seems to have an almost exclusive concern with the spiritual. That is probably why one typically finds in Catholic churches amazing appeals to sensory experience, through such media as art and architecture, music, the use of incense, the physical aspects of ritual, and so forth. All of these are ultimately appeals to spirit, mediated by bodily experience, intended to unify the Body of Christ and join us to Him through commonly-shared experiences.

How beautifully said, dearest sister in Christ!

I look forward to the day when all of our brothers and sisters in Christ rejoice in the Spirit with the mind of Christ (I Cor 2) and quit "sweating the details."

To God be the glory!

It seems to me that the Catholic tradition pays more attention to the complementarity and reconciliation of the physical and spiritual dimensions of human life than the Reformed Church does, which seems to have an almost exclusive concern with the spiritual. That is probably why one typically finds in Catholic churches amazing appeals to sensory experience, through such media as art and architecture, music, the use of incense, the physical aspects of ritual, and so forth. All of these are ultimately appeals to spirit, mediated by bodily experience, intended to unify the Body of Christ and join us to Him through commonly-shared experiences.

But Scripture seems to warn us of what we perceive through the senses. (And this may very well be because what we perceive through the senses always ends up pointing back to us.)

Instead Scripture encourages us to rely on our quickened hearts and our renewed minds which keep the focus on God alone. That's why God regenerates our consciences so that we may know the truth, not just feel the truth.

The method God has chosen to reveal Himself to us is amazing. Since Scripture is written in black and white and enters our mind first in words and concepts, everything that follows works together for God's purpose, according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

And thus the primacy of God's word is revealed and strengthened and affirmed by our minds, in the daylight, through the freedom Christ won for us on the cross. "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." -- Romans 12:2

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" -- Titus 3:5

"And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life." -- 1 John 5:20

"It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." -- John 6:63