In this edition, we conclude our discussion on why Catholics venerate Sacred objects and images. The Bible remains our reference book.

Elsewhere, we see God using Earth materials after making them sacred to heal people. He asked Moses to make a snake image and He (God) made it sacred; for those who had earlier been bitten by a snake for disobedience but now looked at the image of the snake became healed:

“And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Make a fiery serpent, and
set it on a pole, and anyone who is bitten, when he looks
at it, shall live.’ So Moses made a bronze serpent, and
set it on a pole; and if a serpent bit any man, he would
look at the bronze serpent and he lived.” (Num 21:8-9)

In the New Testament, we read cases where ordinary handkerchiefs and aprons that made contact with the body of Paul became sacred objects that were used to heal the sick and drive away evil spirits:

“And God did extraordinary miracles by the hands of
Paul, so that handkerchiefs or aprons were carried
away from his body to the sick, and diseases left them
and the evil spirits came out of them.” (Acts 19:11-12)

Peter’s shadow also healed people of their infirmities:

“Many signs and wonders were done among the people
by the hands of the apostles … so that they even carried
out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and
pallets, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might
fall on some of them … The people also gathered from
the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those
afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.”
(Acts 5:12-16)

Moses performed many miracles with his “sacred” rod after God Himself changed it from a rod to a snake and back to a rod (Exo 4:2-5):

“You shall take in your hand this rod, with which you
shall do the signs (miracles).” (Exo 4:17)

Elijah’s mantle was also sacred and was used to perform a miracle:

“Then he (Elisha) took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen
from him, and struck the water (of the River Jordan), …
the water was parted to one side and to the other; and
Elisha went over.” (2 Kings 2:14)

The garment that Jesus wore was made and sewn with Earth materials, yet it was sacred for power did flow out of it (Matt 9:20-22; Mark 5:27-29; Luke 8:43-44).

There are many cases of incorruptible bodies of saints all over the world. Such sacred bodies merit veneration. Please see the book: The Incorruptibles, by Juan Carroll Cruz, TAN Books & Publishers, Inc. Rockford, Illinois 61105. A parallel example can be found in the Bible. A dead man was revived when his body was thrown hurriedly into the grave of Elisha as the people carrying his body sighted a group of advancing marauders:

“And as a man was being buried, lo, a marauding band
was seen and the man was cast into the grave of Elisha;
and as the man touched the bones of Elisha, he revived,
and stood up upon his feet.” (2 King 13:21)

Sacred relics like the bones of saints, such as Elisha’s, and sacred objects, such as holy medals and pictures, statues, scapulas, crucifixes, rosaries, etc should be venerated. The Bible sanctions it. Always ensure that a priest blesses your sacramental before you start using it.