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’.
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).
Youre leaving out God and me. I didnt. Who made the saints? God. If I go to Heaven, who got me there? God. The saints will aid me, but only through Him. They are nothing without Him.
(Im putting words in your mouth not out of anything other than attempting to understand.)
Okay.
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?)
Some acts are strictly reserved for God, yes. I assume you kiss your spouse differently than you do your parents or your children. You love them all, but some acts are restricted to your spouse alone, correct? We only offer the Eucharist to God the Father, for instance, because that was always only intended for Him. We can ask the saints for help, but we never worship them. I know I never have. Ever. Not even once.
All the sacraments are about worshiping and honoring God. Baptism is done through invoking the Trinity. Confirmation is done through the Holy Spirit. Confession is done through the power of Christ. The Eucharist is given by the Son through the invocation of the Holy Spirit and offered to the Father. And so on.
The saints are mere helpmates to God. They do nothing on their own.
Now, to be fair to those not of that same Church, it does appear to be circular reasoning.
Nope. I think the problem is your apparently small circle of appearance and not our reasoning. The Eastern Orthodox and many Anglicans have no problem understanding what I am saying here so you cant just say those not of that same Church. That just doesnt wash. That blindness on the part of Protestants makes no sense to me.
It isnt worship because you know that it isnt.
No. If it isnt worship it isnt worship because it isnt worship. Offering up the Eucharist is worship. Thats only done in adoration of God the Father. Period.
When I argue with my wife, she can say, Youre angry. I can reply, It isnt anger because I know when Im angry. She says, But it looked like anger. Again I reply, But it isnt. I know what I felt, and it wasnt anger. Youve got to feel for the wife. Shes not a mind reader.
But is she right? Notice how you dont say she is or isnt? Do you know what you do and dont do? I do know what I do and dont do. And I dont worship anyone but God.
The same with us non-Catholics.
Except for the Eastern Orthodox, Non-Chalcedonian Orthodox, and Anglicans you mean. Again, that blindness that Protestants are stricken with.
We could take you at your word, that it isnt worship, but it looks the same as when you worship, so at least give us the benefit of understanding, since were from a different culture.
So if a Protestant gets on his knee to ask his girlfriend to marry him, he must actually be worshiping her because hes kneeling in front of her, proclaiming his love, his fidelity and so on, right?