I have attended mass. My step-mother was Roman Catholic.
I think you have a point in terms of the wording of the mass etc.
However, as we have seen hereon abundantly and multiple times on countless threads . . .
the RELATIVE EMPHASES is
EXTREMELY ASKEW from being remotely Biblical from our Protty perspective—EVEN GIVING as much grace about different perspectives as we can.
And, instead of addressing the discrepencies . . . and proving us wrong, it seems that time after time, the Roman Catholic side ends up DEMONSTRATING THE WORST OF WHAT WE ARE ARTICULATING is the problem.
I can’t recall in the 10+ years hereon any thread began by a Roman Catholic et al titled:
GIVE IT ALL TO JESUS. I can’t recall one even close to that title.
There have been dozens of threads extoling Mary’s virtues, purported offices and purported ministrations in behalf of earth-bound Believers . . . by comparison.
THAT STARK DIFFERENCE COMES OUT OF A DIFFERENCE IN PRIORITIES OF THE HEART AND OF THE MIND.
THERE IS NO RATIONALIZING THAT. THERE IS NO ESCAPING THAT. THERE IS NO PRETENDING GOD TURNS A BLIND EYE, TO THAT.
I would love to see a different picture. I have to trust the picture I see has some correlation with AUTHENTIC REALITY.
I have known plenty of Catholics who have given their all for Jesus. This is the truth.
Perhaps for many this is something that they don’t—for whatever reason—put all out for reading on a public forum. There is no fault in that. To each his own.
And this all reminds me of St. Francis of Asissi:
“Preach the Gospel. If necessary, use words.”
So much of genuine spiritual life and growth is a mystery to others and that’s because Jesus alone knows our hearts, knows how wondrously we are made and certainly knows the best way to abide in us in a way that will bring forth the best fruit. He comes to us and gives to us as the unique individual creation of His that we are.
I spent many year visiting the sick and elderly in my parish. Hidden out of sight except for those who ministered to their needs, either medically or spiritually, they were certainly unknown to the world at large. These same people inspired me with the depth of their at-one-ness with the Lord and their absolute acceptance of the cross they were bearing and their humble trust in all God’s plans for them.
They were accomplishing the tending-of-the-fields that was assigned to them and doing it without notice and accolade.
I learned more from them than I learned from many who were “busy”, or held themselves as high examples or were self-appointed heralds.
Surely you understand this. We are all called according to the measure we are given. And some may very well be “giving all” and it is not recorded and noted by others.
The deeds God loves the most are those He alone has witnessed. Remember Nathaniel?