:-)
I definitely see the differences but on the kneeling thing, I close my eyes and "every knee shall bow" always goes through my head. It is particularly strong during the Consecration and after Holy Communion (receiving Him as well, but if I knelt, I'd probably be thrown out!) as you know what Catholics believe about the Real Presence. Believing as I do, how could I not kneel?
I was just ironing and heard the first few minutes of today's Mass on EWTN (the noontime broadcast) and the priest started out by explaining "Sacrifice of the Mass" and what it is and what it is not. I thought of you, fishtank, and hope you will avail yourself for 5 minutes and listen - and learn what Catholics believe the Mass is and not what you personally believe the Mass is. It will be rebroadcast (streaming and on TV) at 7 PM and Midnight tonight. Just 5 minutes - right after the priest files into the Church and before the Mass even starts. I gave you the link in my last post to you. Here it is again: EWTN streaming.
This is what Trent said. As an RCC and as a SSPXer, I believed this, because it is what my Church taught.
I don't believe it any longer, because I no longer agree with either the N.O. or the SSPX camp.
http://history.hanover.edu/early/trent/ct22cmas.htm ON THE SACRIFICE OF THE MASS.
CANON I.--If any one saith, that in the mass a true and proper sacriflce is not offered to God; or, that to be offered is nothing else but that Christ is given us to eat; let him be anathema.
CANON II.--If any one saith, that by those words, Do this for the commemoration of me (Luke xxii. 19), Christ did not institute the apostles priests; or, did not ordain that they, and other priests should offer His own body and blood; let him be anathema.
CANON III.--If any one saith, that the sacrifice of the mass is only a sacrifice of praise and of thanksgiving; or, that it is a bare commemoration of the sacrifice consummated on the cross, but not a propitiatory sacrifice; or, that it profits him only who receives; and that it ought not to be offered for the living and the dead for sins, pains, satisfactions, and other necessities; let him be anathema.
CANON IV.--If any one saith, that, by the sacrifice of the mass, a blasphemy is cast upon the most holy sacrifice of Christ consummated on the cross; or, that it is thereby derogated from; let him be anathema.
CANON V.--If any one saith, that it is an imposture to celebrate masses in honour of the saints, and for obtaining their intercession with God, as the Church intends; let him be anathema.
CANON VI.--If any one saith, that the canon of the mass contains errors, and is therefore to be abrogated; let him be anathema.
CANON VII.--If any one saith, that the ceremonies, vestments, and outward signs, which the Catholic Church makes use of in the celebration of masses, are incentives to impiety, rather than offices of piety; let him be anathema.
CANON VIII.--If any one saith, that masses, wherein the priest alone communicates sacramentally, are unlawful, and are, therefore, to be abrogated; let him be anathema.
CANON IX.--If any one saith, that the rite of the Roman Church, according to which a part of the canon and the words of consecration are pronounced in a low tone, is to be condemned; or, that the mass ought to be celebrated in the vulgar tongue only; or, that water ought not to be mixed with the wine that is to be offered in the chalice, for that it is contrary to the institution of Christ; let him be anathema.