"Just a bunch of rules"

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As a hunter and someone with a 45 minute daily commute I can assure you I’ve prayed in all kinds of places, from tree stands to traffic jams. And of course Mass hasn’t always been celebrated in great stone buildings with stained glass windows, but it has always been celebrated by ordained persons with the Authority of the apostles which allows them to turn ordinary bread and wine into the body and blood of our Lord. Unless I’m mistaken, I can indeed have Mass anywhere a priest with valid ordination is at- wether that be the Redwoods or Everest or a sewer in Derry, Maine. Saying “church” is just communicating with God isn’t a particularly Christian idea, nor does it reflect the intentions of Christ in the Gospels. I wouldn’t even be equipped spiritually to evangelize anyone at a bar or anywhere else without first receiving Christ in the Eucharist- that is the root of my spiritual and temporal life. You see, I need Mass more than He needs me at Mass.

As someone who practiced shamanism and was a gnostic I understand and appreciate your challenges, I just haven’t found them to be particularly compelling, and that’s based on my own experience, philosophy, logic and, of course, theology.
 
I appreciate the sentiment but you should know this is the ONLY family member who I can discuss the Church with- the rest have assured me I’m a heretic going to Hell. And even if this wasn’t a family member, I would still want a solid apologetic approach to this issue because I don’t think it’s a rare objection.
 
As a hunter and someone with a 45 minute daily commute I can assure you I’ve prayed in all kinds of places, from tree stands to traffic jams. And of course Mass hasn’t always been celebrated in great stone buildings with stained glass windows, but it has always been celebrated by ordained persons with the Authority of the apostles which allows them to turn ordinary bread and wine into the body and blood of our Lord. Unless I’m mistaken, I can indeed have Mass anywhere a priest with valid ordination is at- wether that be the Redwoods or Everest or a sewer in Derry, Maine. Saying “church” is just communicating with God isn’t a particularly Christian idea, nor does it reflect the intentions of Christ in the Gospels. I wouldn’t even be equipped spiritually to evangelize anyone at a bar or anywhere else without first receiving Christ in the Eucharist- that is the root of my spiritual and temporal life. You see, I need Mass more than He needs me at Mass.

As someone who practiced shamanism and was a gnostic I understand and appreciate your challenges, I just haven’t found them to be particularly compelling, and that’s based on my own experience, philosophy, logic and, of course, theology.
Thanks or the reply…just for the record, I never said church is just communicating with God.
 
I’m sorry, I wasn’t intending to paint with a wide brush or caricature what you were saying. I’m also frequently not as precise with my words as I should like to be!
 
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RKS89:
Unfortunately I’ve not found the Catechism particularly helpful in this instance. …
I understand. Really I was posting this to point out that when a person does not care to know it may be through blindness by the habit of sin.
So consider the parable of the virgins in Matthew 25. The foolish virgins did not have oil (grace) when the doors were shut (death) which brings the immediate judgment (I know you not).
8 And the foolish said to the wise: Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out.
9 The wise answered, saying: Lest perhaps there be not enough for us and for you, go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10 Now whilst they went to buy, the bridegroom came: and they that were ready, went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut.
11 But at last come also the other virgins, saying: Lord, Lord, open to us.
12 But he answering said: Amen I say to you, I know you not.
13 Watch ye therefore, because you know not the day nor the hour.
 
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