I’ll take the plunge here, despite my reservations: “..the Catholic way, while affirming the uniqueness of the Incarnation in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, also tends to see “incarnation” as an eternal reality to be lived and breathed by the follower of Jesus. Catholics believe God, in becoming human, was not simply performing an isolated miracle: He was establishing an eternal principle. In the Incarnation, Catholics believe, God was committing Himself to revealing His power and grace in and through human things.”
Therein lies the core reason why I can’t speak to non-”Orthodox” Roman Catholics about the reality of Catholicism. On the one hand I believe this to the point of near knowledge of the reality of the eternal Incarnation. On the other, it’s virtually incomprehensible to someone who hasn’t immersed themselves in meditation upon this reality, and then, once comprhended, the concept of the Incarnation and the reality it presents to us is inexplicable. The beauty of this article lies in it’s daring to speak to the “fear” that embracing the Incarnation as an ongoing reality creates. And it is that “fear” which I’ve come to understand what was meant by biblical references to “fear of God”.
It’s interesting to note in the reading of this article the lengths of mental gymnastics some will go to negate the meaning and intent of the Incarnation. It’s understandable however considering the extent to which it farkles with the Western mind’s frame of reference relative to it’s imperfect and self-limiting understanding of Time as being purely linear.
One of my favorite books on this subject can be had for not much, God Is Near Us: The Eucharist, the Heart of Life by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger. (available, as is most everything, on Amazon). But, there again, I’ve noted that even our Popes have somewhat danced around the core issue. They point to it without attempting to explain it’s meaning. Well, it is rather radical, but so was the entirety of the Jesus event.
The beauty of this article lies in it’s daring to speak to the “fear” that embracing the Incarnation as an ongoing reality creates. And it is that “fear” which I’ve come to understand what was meant by biblical references to “fear of God”.
For a long time, I mistakenly thought that fear meant fear of punishment by God. More recently, I have come to understand it refers to fear of offending God. Fr. Benedict Groeschel, over the past few weeks, has addressed the levels of personal growth in spirituality. As we draw closer to our Lord through total trust, the love intensifies and with it the personal desire not to offend Him. Your statement is a good reflection of that higher level of spiritual growth. Many Catholics confuse structured prayer for personal conversation. They 'fear' to draw closer to Him, on a more personal level. They follow a formula of prayer in a sacramental setting but hesitate to take it to the next level.
But, there again, I’ve noted that even our Popes have somewhat danced around the core issue. They point to it without attempting to explain it’s meaning. Well, it is rather radical, but so was the entirety of the Jesus event.
I feel Pope Benedict XVI provides a commendable explanation here. SOLEMNITY OF THE SACRED BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST .
Now, don the tanks and venture into the deeper waters of the ancient Church of the East, where christianity began. The Maronites trace their heritage to the Church of Antioch where Peter served as bishop before proceeding to Rome. Here you will find the rich writings of the Eastern Church Fathers.
The Divine PresenceFor the Syriac writers the Incarnation is the climax of God's plan of creation. God in His benevolent love for us became one of us in order to save us. St. Ephrem views the humanity of Christ as the instrument of salvation. For him, that same body in which Christ healed humans and rose again, He gave us in sacramental form to heal us, to incorporate us in Him in the Church, and to give us a pledge of His resurrection.
St. Ephrem often meditates on the presence of the divine in the bread and wine. In his Hymn on the Faith. No. 6, he declares: "For in the Bread is eaten a strength not to be eaten and in the Wine is drunk a might not to be drunk..."
In fact, St. Ephrem draws a parallel between the divine action at the Incarnation and at the Eucharist. He declares in the Hymn on the Faith. No. 10:
In the womb that bore you are Fire and the Spirit,
Fire and Spirit are in the river where you were baptized,
Fire and Spirit are in our Baptism too,
And in the Bread and the Cup are Fire and Spirit.
source.
I would encourage you to explore the writings of Sts. Ephrem, Aphraat, James of Saroug, Anthony of the Desert and many others. And when you have done so, I would invite you to attend the Divine Liturgy celebrated in any one of the Eastern Catholic Churches. There you will find a profound level of spirituality and reverence.
Wishing you a Blessed Christmas!