CRUCIFIXION

This sun catcher window is centered on the crucifixion scene in the Gospel Of John. Just before he dies on the cross Jesus gives Mary (his own beloved Mother) to John and tells John that from now on Mary is to be his mother in his new family of Grace – the Church. This is the scene in the Gospel of John (19: 25-27): Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother… When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing by, He said to his mother, ”Woman behold your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold you mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her into his home. Jesus calls his mother Woman and this woman is prefigured in the Book of Genesis in Eve as the woman who became the mother of all the living. All the Church Fathers agree as well as many saints and popes have all seen in this scene of St. John the will of Jesus in giving us his mother to be our very own in the order of grace. As mother of all Christians Mary intercedes for all her children as only a mother can.

At the top of the window is a light blue triangle that represents God the Father. Just below him is a dove that represents the Holy Spirit. Around the frame of the window are twenty light blue circles that represent the twenty mysteries of the rosary, of which the crucifixion is one. On each side of the central image are two large circles that contain the Greek letters alpha and omega. Jesus used these letters in describing himself as the beginning and end of all things. Below the central image are three images. On the left is the sacred heart of Jesus. In the center is an image of the Eucharist. On the right is an image of the Lamb of God.