“OK, and what I'm driving at is whether you (you all) share the exact same substance and specifics of your supplications to Mary that you do with God.”
Really good question!
A critical difference is that we offer the Sacrifice of the Mass only to God. For us, the Mass is true worship. The Mass is offered ONLY to God (although it may be offered on behalf of others, as a form of intercession).
Just talking to God, although that can be a part of worship, isn't sufficient as worship. Thus, talking to any saint, praying to the court for relief (that's what they say in the courts here in Maryland, that we “pray relief” of the court), whatever, just yacking with people, whether on earth or in Heaven, doesn't qualify, by itself, as worship.
But of course, for folks who are neither Catholic nor Orthodox, you don't accept what we believe about the Mass.
However, it would be nice if you did recognize that for us, the Mass, the Eucharist, is the source and summit of our faith, the keystone of our worship of the Most Holy Trinity.
sitetest
A critical difference is that we offer the Sacrifice of the Mass only to God. For us, the Mass is true worship. ......... Just talking to God, although that can be a part of worship, isn't sufficient as worship. Thus, talking to any saint, praying to the court for relief (that's what they say in the courts here in Maryland, that we “pray relief” of the court), whatever, just yacking with people, whether on earth or in Heaven, doesn't qualify, by itself, as worship.
OK, I would agree with you that prayer by itself does not constitute the full idea of worship. But just on the subject of prayer alone, do you (you all) share the exact same substance and specifics of your supplications to Mary (or another Saint) that you do with God?
If someone asked me what constituted worship I think I would first point him to these passages:
Would Catholics agree that this is an excellent expression of how to worship and give glory to God through worship? I don't know enough about the Mass to say, but would you say that it covers these ideas that it is God's mercy that motivates us to worship, and that we are to present all of ourselves openly to God by the renewing of our minds in the knowledge of truth which (I hold) is found in God's word? Or, in what way(s) does the Mass constitute worship in accordance with Rom. 12:1-2?
However, it would be nice if you did recognize that for us, the Mass, the Eucharist, is the source and summit of our faith, the keystone of our worship of the Most Holy Trinity.
I am happy to recognize whatever anyone says his belief and faith is, even if I disagree with it. :) But I have one question about the above. If someone asked me what the source of a Catholic's faith is, I should answer that it is the Eucharist and the Mass? That is, as opposed to God Himself?