The difference is.....
“So, then you are saying here that there is a difference between worship/prayer and veneration, and that Catholics know what it is.”
There is a difference between latria on the one hand and hyperdulia or dulia on the other. The difference is about what is attached to whom by their nature. God is God. Only He is to be worshiped, given latria. Mary and the saints can be venerated. All that they are is because of God’s gifts to them. I have ZERO difficulty distinguished between God and everybody else. ZERO. I have no difficulty distinguishing between God and His creatures. ZERO. I have never met any Catholic who did have a difficulty in that regard.
“You don’t accept appearance as being what’s different.”
Because appearances are mere appearances. Two things can look the same and be different.
“You do suggest above that there is a difference. What IS different in your mind?””
The difference is between Him, them and me and our respective natures. Him - God. He is what He is because He is. Period. “them” - the saints: they are greater than me as I am now but everything they are is because of God for only He and His gifts can make them saints. Me - I am a sinner. I need Him for without Him I’ll never be one of them (the saints). I want both Him (in His Three Divine Persons) as my Father, Lord/Savior, and Comforter. I also want them (the saints) in my life because they are my brothers and sisters in the faith now perfected by His grace. They aid me through the generous power of God before His throne through their prayers. Me? What am I? Thankful. Very thankful. Why? See Sirach 51:1-12.
Here, I’ll just post it:
I will give thanks to thee, O Lord and King,
and will praise thee as God my Savior.
I give thanks to thy name,
for thou hast been my protector and helper
and hast delivered my body from destruction
and from the snare of a slanderous tongue,
from lips that utter lies.
Before those who stood by
thou wast my helper, 3 and didst deliver me,
in the greatness of thy mercy and of thy name,
from the gnashings of teeth about to devour me,
from the hand of those who sought my life,
from the many afflictions that I endured,
from choking fire on every side
and from the midst of fire which I did not kindle,
from the depths of the belly of Hades,
from an unclean tongue and lying words—
the slander of an unrighteous tongue to the king.
My soul drew near to death,
and my life was very near to Hades beneath.
They surrounded me on every side,
and there was no one to help me;
I looked for the assistance of men,
and there was none.
Then I remembered thy mercy, O Lord,
and thy work from of old,
that thou dost deliver those who wait for thee
and dost save them from the hand of their enemies.
And I sent up my supplication from the earth,
and prayed for deliverance from death.
I appealed to the Lord, the Father of my lord,
not to forsake me in the days of affliction,
at the time when there is no help against the proud.
I will praise thy name continually,
and will sing praise with thanksgiving.
My prayer was heard,
for thou didst save me from destruction
and rescue me from an evil plight.
Therefore I will give thanks to thee and praise thee,
and I will bless the name of the Lord.
Amazing reply! God be with you!
I hear you saying that the difference between worship and veneration is based in the nature of the glorified saints, that they have attained to a higher status (status...for want of a better word).
(I’m putting words in your mouth not out of anything other than attempting to understand.) You are saying that you know the difference between worship (only to God) and veneration (to saints/angels) because worship is only to God no matter if it is the same acts that are performed. (Did I get that right?)
Now, to be fair to those not of that same Church, it does appear to be circular reasoning. It isn’t worship because you know that it isn’t.
When I argue with my wife, she can say, “You’re angry.” I can reply, “It isn’t anger because I know when I’m angry.” She says, “But it looked like anger.” Again I reply, “But it isn’t. I know what I felt, and it wasn’t anger.”
You’ve got to feel for the wife. She’s not a mind reader.
The same with us non-Catholics. We could take you at your word, that it isn’t worship, but it looks the same as when you worship, so at least give us the benefit of understanding, since we’re from a different ‘culture’.
The difference is.....