but now that i’m an old man (40) who has been a christian for a number of years (20) and done youth ministry for a long time (15) in a highly catholic area, i’ll say this: i understand now. the liturgy doesn’t do it for many folks, but i miss some of that order, some of that solemnity, that reverence. some of the arcane ideas / theology don’t fly right for many folks, but there’s a lot of theology that i have tolerated / been a part of in my own walk. the catholic church’s image is not a very positive one at certain times in history, but as i meet more and more spiritual catholics who don’t simply go through the motions, as i hear them speak about jesus, as i see them live for jesus, i understand better, i think.

the transubstantiation thing – yeah, i’m with you.

re: #5 – i agree.

scott