The church where I go to confession [their schedule fits with my work schedule] has an outdoor stations of the cross. When I get to the 13th station, I usually kiss the feet of Jesus on the cross. I don’t always feel like doing it, as I have to sometimes brush off the cobwebs, but I feel compelled to do it, I suppose for humility reasons, and to express my love for Christ in yet another action.
The Orthodox have long venerated icons and relics by kissing them. There is the “pardon cross” which people kiss, a devotion that carries an indulgence I believe. So there is precedent. Still, I wont speak ill of those who feel these practices border idolatry, as the sin idolatry is probably a good spiritual fear.
I must add though, the biggest threat of idolatry lies in the unintentional worship of money, of worldly goods, and of creature comforts that would destroy many if they suddenly lost. During the real estate bubble, I lost over a hundred thousand dollars, lost an investment property, and my home was foreclosed on. I became very sick, and moved from a 4 bedroom house to a two bedroom townhouse in a questionable neighborhood.
There were many other terrible things that happened during this time, but this is what it took to get me back to God’s Church that I turned my back on in childhood, so I can’t regret all of that pain. It saved me, but it was horrible to go through, though I am a much better person for it. So I guess the moral of my story is, that there are far more dangerous potential idolatress traps than statues.
