Re-presentation of the Sacrifice

[Truthstalker]

I’m coming to the conclusion I need to read Aquinas.

 

[Della]

I’m coming to the conclusion I need to read Aquinas.

That may be (he’s too difficult for me!). But I want you to consider this: When a man and a woman decide to get married, if they want a truly Christian union, they wait to explore each other’s charms until after they’ve made their vows to one another. This is because marriage is a sacrament, not just a coming together of individuals.

The same can be said of our relationship with Christ and his Church. There are some mysteries we cannot fully embrace until we have made a commitment to be a faithful member of Christ’s body in confirmation. This is because confirmation is a sacrament reserved for those who truly wish to enjoy the full benefits of the Church.

What I am trying to say is this, you can study all the great saints and theologians and philosophers, but until you have received the grace of the sacraments you will probably not fully “understand” them–in your heart and soul. And there is the danger you will become immune to the very call of God by trying to partake intellectually of that which is mostly spiritual and sacramental.

Of course, I don’t mean to discourage you from exploring the Catholic faith before deciding you want to be in full communion with the Church, but I would alert you to the pitfalls of delaying the call of God by overly thinking your way along, if you see what I mean.

 

[mosher]

I’m coming to the conclusion I need to read Aquinas.

This concept is discussed well in the book, "Spirit of the Liturgy: by the Holy Father (under the name Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger). Read that first before you try to get into some of the complex stuff of Thomas.

 

[Truthstalker]

What I am trying to say is this, you can study all the great saints and theologians and philosophers, but until you have received the grace of the sacraments you will probably not fully “understand” them–in your heart and soul. And there is the danger you will become immune to the very call of God by trying to partake intellectually of that which is mostly spiritual and sacramental.

Of course, I don’t mean to discourage you from exploring the Catholic faith before deciding you want to be in full communion with the Church, but I would alert you to the pitfalls of delaying the call of God by overly thinking your way along, if you see what I mean.

This concept is discussed well in the book, "Spirit of the Liturgy: by the Holy Father (under the name Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger). Read that first before you try to get into some of the complex stuff of Thomas.

From several directions I’ve come to the conclusion I need to study Aquinas, but it can wait. This isn’t the actual battleground for me right now. You’ve given me enough information for what I need.