G
guanophore
Guest
No. This is not the case. It is true that God is to be at the center. But to say that one should not have affections for one’s spouse or children because they are not “God” is getting over the top.
God orders the creation of many sacred objects and instructs how they are to be treated with great veneration.
I agree. But Catholics don’t do this with objects. Worship requires intention. If one kneels beside one’s bed at night to say prayers, does that mean he is worshipping the bed? It is the attitude of the heart, not the object!
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What makes you think not?
Nobody is saying it is acceptable to worship other than God.
You are mistaken. If this were true, God would not have ordered it made for the Temple.
Well, more power to you. Each one must follow her own conscience.
This is nuts. If I light candles on the altar, then I cannot light a candle in my bathroom, or I would be worshipping in the bathroom?
God does ordain that we should have reverence for people and objects. It is not the same adoration we have for God. I cannot believe that you would use secular definitions to define your faith in God, and the manner of worship. Who cares what the world thinks?
QUOTE=JoyToBeCatholic;3458111] I’d be very concerned if you likewise treated your photo album this way; burning candles before it - praying and kneeling before it…j I understand that the use of sensual things can be an aid in worship, but I don’t think it has to be, and indeed we should strive to worship in spirit - not needing inadequate, tangible representations of God in order to truly worship Him. … Nothing we produce can bear any resemblance to Him or any of His attributes. I don’t see why your worship experience needs to appeal to all your senses like so. All of mine are engaged during worship too, but I don’t try to highten them with incense and candles and extraordinary music and the like b/c it puts more of my focus on the tangible and the earthly rather than on the intangible and other-worldly!
If you like a worship that is devoid of these things, more power to you, I say. You could consider entering a traditional monastery with only stone walls. Why try to force your preferences on others, as though others were committing sin because they don’t share your nagrosaties?
QUOTE=JoyToBeCatholic;3458111] Instead of having my mind and heart on God it may be distracted by the smells and images. It looks to be a very carnal way of worship vs a truly spiritual one. There is too much focus on us and what we can produce vs God.
This is your personal condition, and there is no problem with that. A very austere environment may commend itself to you. May you be blessed in your worship! But it is wrong to accuse others of idolatry, just because it would be that for you if you did it.
QUOTE=JoyToBeCatholic;3458111] But that does not mean we should try to stir our senses during worship. There is no parallel there at all. In fact, stirring the senses during worship is the opposite of what we should be doing. Even the ecstatic are “senseless” in the earthly senses. The spirit transcends the senses. Encouraging stirring the senses is providing distraction at the very least and certainly is an obstacle to spiritual progress.
Peace,
Some of us really need our sensibilities “stirred” in worship, and this is entirely biblical. I don’t hold it against those who do not. I love the incense at Divine Liturgy, and I can visualize the prayers of the Church rising upon it. If you do not, fine!
