Ah yes, the ancient dilemma: God says 'no idols,' but also says, 'put some angel statues on this golden box and throw a snake on a pole for healing.' It's almost like God was saying, 'You can have art, just don’t be a weirdo about it.' The real idolatry isn’t statues—it’s anything that replaces love, mercy, and actual goodness. Like political figures, or worse… your own opinions. But hey, if a rosary brings peace, hold it. If it reminds you of Sister Mary Smack-A-Lot, toss it. The only rule is this: if it helps you love better, you're probably on the right path.
Based on the title of your essay, Indiana Jones came to mind and again when you wrote about the Ark of the Covenant. Icons point to something beyond us giving us a window into another dimension. Icons invoke connections to my heart. They are written not just painted. Icons can made into idols by the power we give them over us. However, idols rarely if ever are made into icons. What did Peter see at Jesus' Transfiguration - Moses and Elijah as presented in icons of Peter's time? I agree don't get rid of your icons - get rid of your idols. Thank you for the gift of your experience.
This is perfect. We were raised with the impression that giving a thing, like a statue, or any person including a priest the reverence we should have reserved for Jesus was idolatry. Making a picture or a mosaic was just a way to record the stories and the history. In our church, as a child, I remember studying the iconostas while the priest droned on, and then asking my mother about the stories the pictures were telling. Thank you for letting me see this through your eyes.
I really thought you were going to do more with the snake-on-a-pole story--it's always baffled me, as I associate snakes with worship of the Great Goddess.
You do an amazing job of making me think and laugh. Please know that I read everything you write. I just don't always comment. I'm going to do better. You deserve to know how much your writing helps people.
I may have posted this before. Even so I find it worth sharing. We had a lot of little icons that were abused over the years. Which was not surprising for a good Irish catholic family of 12 kids. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18q7KVWSPS/
Ah yes, the ancient dilemma: God says 'no idols,' but also says, 'put some angel statues on this golden box and throw a snake on a pole for healing.' It's almost like God was saying, 'You can have art, just don’t be a weirdo about it.' The real idolatry isn’t statues—it’s anything that replaces love, mercy, and actual goodness. Like political figures, or worse… your own opinions. But hey, if a rosary brings peace, hold it. If it reminds you of Sister Mary Smack-A-Lot, toss it. The only rule is this: if it helps you love better, you're probably on the right path.
Based on the title of your essay, Indiana Jones came to mind and again when you wrote about the Ark of the Covenant. Icons point to something beyond us giving us a window into another dimension. Icons invoke connections to my heart. They are written not just painted. Icons can made into idols by the power we give them over us. However, idols rarely if ever are made into icons. What did Peter see at Jesus' Transfiguration - Moses and Elijah as presented in icons of Peter's time? I agree don't get rid of your icons - get rid of your idols. Thank you for the gift of your experience.
This is perfect. We were raised with the impression that giving a thing, like a statue, or any person including a priest the reverence we should have reserved for Jesus was idolatry. Making a picture or a mosaic was just a way to record the stories and the history. In our church, as a child, I remember studying the iconostas while the priest droned on, and then asking my mother about the stories the pictures were telling. Thank you for letting me see this through your eyes.
This was really great!
I really thought you were going to do more with the snake-on-a-pole story--it's always baffled me, as I associate snakes with worship of the Great Goddess.
Absolutely love this. Thank you!
Very well written! As always.
This is perfectly written.
You do an amazing job of making me think and laugh. Please know that I read everything you write. I just don't always comment. I'm going to do better. You deserve to know how much your writing helps people.
I may have posted this before. Even so I find it worth sharing. We had a lot of little icons that were abused over the years. Which was not surprising for a good Irish catholic family of 12 kids. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18q7KVWSPS/
Excellent!!