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Thank you so much for your testimony, dear brother in Christ, and for your encouragement!

most "criticism" of Catholic soteriology that we've seen here is based on the ignorance of the critics.

I perceive the difference as the "observer problem" not ignorance on either side.

As a metaphor, consider the words of God as if they were a multi-faceted diamond. And God is Light.

A person looking at the diamond from one facet might see reflections or images of himself or others whereas another person looking at a different facet might see only the light.

The former would see a role for man in his own salvation. He would emphasize willful obedience and good works. For instance, he would probably highly value Mary's consent - the part she played:

And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. - Luke 1:38

Conversely, the one seeing no images in the diamond would see no role for man in his own salvation. He would perceive whatever good came of his life to be God's doing. He would not value Mary's consent, perceiving that no one and no thing can thwart the will of God.

And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to [our] father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. - Matthew 3:9

Nevertheless, it is the same diamond and the same light.

As for me, the Light from the diamond blinds me to all other images. Compliments make me uncomfortable.

But at the same time, I do not perceive that those who see images in the diamond are in error and would only caution them to keep their priorities straight because "no light, no images."

Then one of them, [which was] a lawyer, asked [him a question], tempting him, and saying, Master, which [is] the great commandment in the law?

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.

And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. – Matthew 22:35-40

If we don't get keep our priorities straight, nothing we do will matter.

Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

Nevertheless I have [somewhat] against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. – Revelation 2:1-5

To God be the glory, not man, never man.