Love for a group is not the same as love for each individual

[Neoplatonist]

It has always felt like faulty reasoning to claim that Christ’s sacrifice for all mankind means He sacrificed himself for me, personally.

Consider the parallel case in which a human father wrote a book 20 years ago about his love for all kids. Should his own children feel like he did that because he loved them in particular?

If I put up an artistic sculpture celebrating women and marriage when I was in college, should I be off the hook for buying my wife anniversary gifts for the rest of the journey? Should she not feel loved because I did it for all women and wives, and that included her? If she ever comes to me and is upset, I just need to have my friends remind her that I DID put up that sculpture, and I DID say it included everyone.

Thanks for your different perspectives.

 

[Neoplatonist]

Or let’s say it’s a friend. That way it is not complicated by whether anything is expected or owed. If I created a sculpture celebrating friendship and dedicated to all my friends past and future, then never bought any of my friends cards or drinks or presents on birthdays, Christmas, weddings, or other special occasions, am I all clear?

Shouldn’t they just remember the sculpture-thing and feel all warm and happy inside knowing I obviously love them from even before they were born?

 

[Jimdandy]

Not comparable to Christ’s Sacrificial Gift. While it was given once, we are able to participate in that one Sacrifice each and every time we participate at Mass. The Memorial of Christ’s Passover, (Suffering, death, resurrection and ascension) Is made present to us so that we may participate in the offering of it to Our Father in union with Jesus by the power of the holy Spirit. AND then we receive the benefits of His Gift.

We receive the Life of God to improve and sanctify our lives.

I cannot see how that applies in comparison to an abstract statue, that may or may not give pleasure to one who sees it, regardless of the intention of the one who made it.

Love is willing the good for the other, not just warm and fuzzy feelings.

 

[Neoplatonist]

Excellent point. [smacks own forehead]

 

[Neoplatonist]

Not comparable to Christ’s Sacrificial Gift. While it was given once, we are able to participate in that one Sacrifice each and every time we participate at Mass. The Memorial of Christ’s Passover, (Suffering, death, resurrection and ascension) Is made present to us so that we may participate in the offering of it to Our Father in union with Jesus by the power of the holy Spirit. AND then we receive the benefits of His Gift.

We receive the Life of God to improve and sanctify our lives.

I cannot see how that applies in comparison to an abstract statue, that may or may not give pleasure to one who sees it, regardless of the intention of the one who made it.

Love is willing the good for the other, not just warm and fuzzy feelings.

Except I’ve got to throw some evidence into the mix here, because say what you/they will, I have yet to attend a mass where people walked away from communion shaken like they were by watching the Mel Gibson movie about the Passion. Christ was not really present or really sacrificed in that movie, so why did that feel more profound than an average bit of eucharist wafer?

In what sense, then, is real, personal love happening in the communion?

 

[Jimdandy]

In what sense, then, is real, personal love happening in the communion?

Since it is on a Spiritual plane, if you will, ‘feelings’ may or may not be apparent.
We receive Jesus, Love.

Sometimes I weep from sorrow, other times I am filled with a peaceful joy, and once the Holy Spirit enveloped me in His warmth.

In Faith we believe we are united to Jesus, our soul/His Soul,(Body, Blood and Divinity, too) It seems that rarely does He Speak with words at this time-maybe because we have already heard His Word in the readings.

Sadly, many, many, many people do not realize what actually takes place at Mass.

 

[Neoplatonist]

Since it is on a Spiritual plane, if you will, ‘feelings’ may or may not be apparent.
We receive Jesus, Love.

Sometimes I weep from sorrow, other times I am filled with a peaceful joy, and once the Holy Spirit enveloped me in His warmth.

In Faith we believe we are united to Jesus, our soul/His Soul,(Body, Blood and Divinity, too) It seems that rarely does He Speak with words at this time-maybe because we have already heard His Word in the readings.

Sadly, many, many, many people do not realize what actually takes place at Mass.

But if we only feel better when we imagine Him to be there, how is that different from a placebo effect?