The Eucharist and the Holy Spirit as a dove

[Ana_v]

I posted the following yesterday, but I did it under the Apologetics section. And categorically I think it correponds better to this section (Liturgy and Sacraments).

Post:

I was thinking over how to best respond, if I come to have a conversation with a Protestant individual in which he/she characterizes Eucharistic adoration as idolatry. (I like to prepare myself in advance.)

The straightforward answer would be that, it is not idolatry to worship Christ. And Christ – his body, blood, soul, and divinity – is present in the Eucharist, therefore worship of the Eucharist is most certainly warranted, and most certainly not idolatry.

But I was thinking that, in such a conversation, I would like to also provide some kind of a spot-on analogy. I have one in mind, and wanted to post it in this forum so as to double check that the analogy is not inappropriate (in other words, have others weigh in on it).

The analogy is this: the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove that descended upon our Lord at His Baptism.

And I would pose this question: If we had that very dove in front of us right now, would it be idolatrous to worship it?

 

[Barbkw]

You might cite Scripture items that the Jews visually locked onto or displayed in worship:

the bronze serpent
the Ark of the Covenant
the angels on the Ark
the waving of the First Fruits
the Showbread
the Incense
the Sanctuary Lamp
the Menorah
the Temple Mount
the Altar of Sacrifice

 

[Nelka]

The analogy is this: the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove that descended upon our Lord at His Baptism.

And I would pose this question: If we had that very dove in front of us right now, would it be idolatrous to worship it?

Sorry but until that dove is in front of you, you don’t have to worry.

 

[Barbkw]

The problem actually - is what is meant by worship.

(Which becomes more problematic in relationship to the Eucharist being that protestant denominations don’t believe in the Eucharist being the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ.)

In general, sacramental items are physical “pictures” which represent our ancient Judeo/Christian heritage and we use them somewhat like a portal into the past.

We “worship” the Trinity by “honoring” the symbols which God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit initiated throughout salvation history.