Religious Images are meant to Inspire

Not to be adored

By Apolinario Villalobos

The images of Christian saints, Virgin Mary, and Jesus are supposed to give inspiration. They are not intended to be adored. Something must have gotten wrong during the early stage of conversion that made the practice of image adoration prevalent and deeply-rooted among Filipinos. God has no image, and He is the only One who, mankind should worship. Today, however, the “new” Christians have practically done away with the display of images, while the Catholics have maintained the practice of filling altars with them.

While most Catholics understand the purpose of the images, there are still some who boast their idolatrous adoration of the images, especially, during the fiestas in honor of patron saints. Some even offer foods to them on the altar.

Those whose fervent prayers to the saints are said to have been answered, more than double their devotion, making them their “personal saviors”. Devotees wear scapulars and medallions with images of saints, keep their small photos with short prayers in their wallet, and the more enterprising even come up with prayers and novenas for them to be sold in the sidewalks outside the Catholic churches.

With all those, the Catholic church just look the other way, although, some priests  have become vocal in calling the attention of the devotees about their idolatrous practices, just like what they did during the fiesta of the Black Nazarene.

But, can the devotees be blamed for their action after they have exhausted all means for the alleviation of their lives?  The only one thing that they forgot is to call on God…although, some did, but in so doing, blame Him for their misfortune, instead of thanking Him for the received blessings!