The curse of the Reformation . . . . Hmmmm.
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Sola Scriptura.
Sola Deo Gloria.
Solo Christo.
Sola Gratia.
Sola Fide.
If this is a curse, then I thank God that this curse rescued me from the thrall of sin and, also, opened my eyes to a soteriology far superior to that of the Catholic faith in which I was reared.
By the way: Now a Protestant, I still have a fairly “high” view of the Eucharist, though I can no longer give assent to the Romanist view of Transubstantiation.
Also, let’s be honest, I actually agree with your characterization of the what you not-so-inaccurately term the “mushrooms” that sprang up around the base of the Reformation tree proper — from the Episcopalians to Osteen, et al.
Now, can you not be equally honest and admit publicly in this forum that a Roman Catholic priest or two here and there (or Pope, even!) during the past 1600 years has engaged in adultery, fornication, incest, and/or sodomy at one point or another — perhaps even in the hours immediately preceding the celebrating of the “sacrifice” of the Mass? Or, engaged in the sale of indulgences? Or, temporized with evil in the form of Adolph Hitler? Or, .... the list goes on. In sum, Rock of Gibraltar, Schmock of Gibraltar!
Finally, I greatly admire Aquinas, but his “Pange Angelicus” though very eloquent, seems a bit over the top. My suspicion is that the angels are not permitted to partake of the Eucharist. (And, perhaps, brilliant as he was, he knew that, but was simply trying to make a point.)
We are NOT talking here of personal sin, We are speaking of formal doctrine. It’s no small wonder that the Catholic Church has the greatest number of converts from avowed atheists to members of every religious denomination on this planet including a former Rabbi of Rome who converted to Catholicism. The greatest literary giants from Hillaire Belloc to GK Chesterton, to scientists, Nobel laureates, poets, sculptors, painters, philosophers, mathematicians, astronomers, and yes, martyrs and saints.
The “sola scriptura” crowd forgets that the books in the Bible were chosen by the Church Fathers. As St. Augustine remarked “If it weren’t for the Catholic Church, I wouldn’t be a believer.” What the curse of the Reformation wrought was not only the tens of thousands of wild mushrooms sects, but also spawned “low-information” Christians like the obese housewife in Dallas who attends a third-rate mega Church which is more entertainment and Sunday fun than the consecration of the Holy Eucharist. Better yet to attend a rock concert. All noise and pablum signifying nothing.
The great works of Benedict XVI, (called the theological Einstein of our times) like “Iesus Dominus” is not for stupid minds. Folks who have no clue of Bible interpretation based on Scripture, the sacred oral traditions, and divine revelation, each end up being their “own” religion. No need for evidence just look around the pastors and attendees from the local neighborhood Foursquare Church, to Sunrise Churches, to the idiotic televangelists from Bishop Jake to Osteen, all seeking a slice of “low-information” Christians.