Most of you, I am sure, have heard the false accusation that we Catholics, worship idols. The Protestant argument goes something like this: God forbade the children of Israel to make and worship idols. Catholics put up statues of angels and saints in their churches and homes and pray to them. Catholics must, therefore, worship idols. Of course this argument is foolish and tendentious but taken seriously by many Protestants and today even by some Catholics.

I can remember as a small boy that my Protestant mother was told by her minister that she should have no pictures or images of Christ in her home. I was horrifies one day when I discovered a picture which I knew my mother had cherished thrown away in the trash. I knew even as a small boy that there was something wrong with my mother's decision to destroy a picture which reminded her and our family of our beloved savior.

Indeed, there is something fundamentally wrong with the rejection of sacred images of Christ, our Lady, the saints and angels. Those who rejects these sacred images do not understand the full meaning of the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Since God has become man God can now be pictured as a man. By taking on human flesh God has enabled humanity to partake in His divine nature (2 Pt 1:2-7). Sacred images (indeed, the world itself) now can reflect the presence of God. All of creation has been renewed by Christ's redemptive work. All of creation, and most particularly, the pinnacle of creation, mankind, has the potential of revealing the Kingdom of God.

Sacred images can be windows to heaven. They can give us a glimpse at the Kingdom of God. They can also be highways to heaven. They can present to us the Kingdom of God. They can be the saving gospel of Jesus Christ presented in a material way. Since the incarnation of our Lord matter can mediate the Spirit of God. Stain glass can reflect not only the light of day but also the light of God. Icons and statues can be not only artistic expressions but also encounters with the things of heaven. Since God took our human nature in the person of Jesus Christ our human nature and work can share and reflect His divinity.

We do not worship statues and icons. We venerate them. We render them homage for they speak of Christ to us who is the living word of God. They reveal to us His saving person and saving work. They reveal to us His presence in His angels and saints and most particularly, in the God-bearer herself, the Blessed Virgin Mary. Sacred images can show us our relationship with the Holy Trinity and with all the company of heaven.

Prayer to the saints and angels follows from our belief in the Biblical teaching which is described by the Apostles' Creed as "The Communion of Saints". St. Paul in Romans 8 writes that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, not even death. Those who believe in Christ, both the living and the dead, are united to Him and each other by the love of God poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. In Christ we are members of the Family of God. God is our Father. Designated by the Father, Christ is the head of the Family. Mary is the Mother of the Family. The saints are elder brothers and sisters of the family. The angels are the Guardians of the family. We love our family and ask them to pray for us. We also pray for those who this side of heaven still need our prayers. (This includes the souls in Purgatory).

The truth and beauty of the doctrine of "The Communion of Saints" was brought home to me when I was still a Protestant. After my mother had died I found myself one day spontaneously speaking to her and asking for her help. I discovered that many other Protestants have had such an experience. In Christ the dead are still alive and we can still have fellowship with them in Christ.

There was also another experience which taught me the truth of "The Communion of Saints". Near my bed I keep a composite framed picture of family members who have died. There have been moments when the loving memory of them is so strong that I find myself tenderly holding and kissing the picture. This action speaks of the Catholic veneration of statues and icons.

Sacred images should open up heaven to us. When we enter a Catholic Church we should experience an environment which speaks and reveals heaven. The altar and tabernacle draw us to the throne of God and His presence. The statues, icons, paintings, and stain glass draw us through the material and visible world into the spiritual and invisible Kingdom of God. Without these material objects it is difficult, if not impossible, to transcend this world of time and space.