Dear friend,
The Old Catholic Encyclopedia states: “The word worship (Saxon weorthscipe, “honour”; from worth, meaning “value”, “dignity”, “price”, and the termination, ship; Latin cultus) in its most general sense is homage paid to a person or a thing. In this sense we may speak of hero-worship, worship of the emperor, of demons, of the angels, even of relics, and especially of the Cross.” It refers to: “Christian worship according to the following definition: homage paid to God, to Jesus Christ, to His saints, to the beings or even to the objects which have a special relation to God."
When applied to God, it is adoration or “an act of religion offered to God in acknowledgment of His supreme perfection and dominion." Such and an act is an expression of the virtue of religion which is really a matter of justice. We owe God the acknowledgement of Who He is. So if Jesus is the Son of God that He insisted He is, then we owe Him worship. When Jesus showed the doubting Apostle Thomas, His wounds, Thomas fell at His feet and worshipped, saying: “My Lord and my God!” (Jn 20:28)
Here are some citations from the Catechism of the Catholic Church: #347, # 2096 You and your parish are in my prayers.
Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.
