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***Too quickly the Mass was over and I told my friend goodbye and walked to the parking lot. I could not feel my feet on the ground. My spirit was still resonating with the bliss of that moment in his Presence. I was praying frantically. O Lord, was that you? But Lord, I didn't think you even attended Catholic Church, let alone fill the place like that? I need answers Father. There are so many issues to tackle. What about Mary, Saints, Purgatory, salvation by works, etc. Where do I begin? His answer came back clear and unmistakable. "Start with what draws you, start with the Eucharist."***

Experience trumps doctrine.

My above post is not to start an argument, but it is an honest reaction to reading the testimony. I have heard similar ones from Mormons, New Agers, etc. They have a profound experience which causes them to reallign doctrine to fit.

The real issue is whether the doctrine is true, not how stong the experience is. I don't intend to debate doctrine here but I did want to make an obesrvation on the process.

Well, this is the one and only time that experience came before understanding of truth during my journey. God had to go this route to get my attention and direct my studies, but from this point on, it was all learning and understanding backed up and FOLLOWED by any experiences that happened. I was raised not trusting experiences. In fact, my family taught me to run from people who "had experiences." I guess I would have had to run from St. Pete and St. Paul. They were forever seeing angles and having visions. Ooops, and scrap that old book of Revelation. That was a mind blowing experience for St. John I am sure. The centuries have been full of Saints who had visions and mystical experiences. But I would put any of them up against any furndamentalist in their knowledge of Scriptures and Tradition. True Christianity is not limited to the brain. It's a total person experience. God created our whole person, and He intends to relate to our whole person. Thus the sacraments. So fuss all you want about my experiences. I would not be a Catholic today if it were not for the solid and undeniable evidence from scripture and history. Meanwhile, I pray that someday you too come to know Him up close and personal in the Eucharist.