I’ve been Catholic my entire life, but I’ve also attended many ecumenical gatherings and services from other denominations. In my experiences, the people have always been wonderfully generous and hospitable, and I can’t think of one where I haven’t encountered the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Still, I always feel myself missing home.
It’s a feeling that’s deeper than a desire for familiarity.
Every person I know has photos of loved ones in their home. Baby photos. Senior photos. Wedding photos. Vacation photos. Photos of grandparents who have passed away. These are ways we honor loved ones and remember the meaningful moments of our lives.
A house devoid of photos doesn’t feel like a home.
That’s how I feel when I’m in one of those modern worship spaces so common these days. There’s not much to look at, save for perhaps an empty cross, and it feels a little impersonal. I appreciate minimalism as much as any hipster, but I always end up missing the statues, stained-glass windows, and artwork in Catholic churches.
In the best ones, there is no shortage of things to reflect on.
No, not worship.
I can hardly believe it’s a real criticism, but some people really think Catholics worship statues.
Of course, if we did, that would be bad. But the statues, windows, and artwork in a Catholic church — and in many Protestant churches as well — are like family photos that remind us of loved ones and important chapters of our shared family story.
In the early days of the Church, statues, mosaics, and stained-glass windows were important ways of sharing the gospel with a largely illiterate populace.
Today, the visual treasures of the church offer a variety of benefits, even as they continue to provide a universal language that transcends cultural and language barriers.
We are visual creatures. The vast majority of information transmitted to our brains is visual and non-verbal. The brain processes images roughly 60,000 times faster than the written word.
Research has shown that visuals are better at conveying information and improving comprehension than text alone. With just one glance, images can convey complex ideas concisely, making them easier to digest and stay with us longer. After three days, we can recall information from images or graphics five to six times better than text information.
A picture (or statue) really does speak a thousand words.
Plus, images can engage us on an emotional level, bringing stories to life and creating connections in ways that mere data cannot.
When I see an image of Jesus hanging on a cross, it makes it easier to imagine standing there with him, giving me a more visceral sense of what he endured to save me.
When I see a statue of a saint, or of Jesus’ mom, I can’t help but think, “How can I be more like them?” And what I mean by that is, “How can I be more in love with Jesus?”
The art and statues in a church are not idols. They are not objects of worship. Nor are they frivolous decorations.
They are reminders.
They are reminders of the stories that are central to our faith, and reminders of family members who lived out that faith.
They are reminders of what a life dedicated to Christ looks like.
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