In Part 1 of the Rose Window posts, the right half of the window, which illustrates the Christmas and Infancy narratives of Jesus, was described. The left side illustrates His Passion and Resurrection. Now we are in the season of Lent, an appropriate time to reflect on these panes.
The middle two panes at the bottom of the window depict the Baptism of the Lord. John the Baptist is on the left and Jesus is on the right. A stream flows from one pane to the next suggesting that they are standing in the Jordan river. John is dressed in camel’s hair and holds a shell from which he pours water which flows onto the head of Jesus. He holds a banner with the words “Ecce Agnus Dei”, behold the Lamb of God (Jn 1:36), indicating John’s recognition of Jesus as the Messiah, the Savior who would become the sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins.
Jesus did not need to be Baptized by John to be cleansed of sin, but the powerful movement of the water in these panes might remind us of the power and grace of our own Baptism. Above John’s head is a triangle, a symbol of the Father’s voice declaring, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (Mk 1:11). Above Jesus’ head is the Holy Spirit which descended upon him as a dove. The Holy Trinity was present at this moment.
After his Baptism, Jesus spent 40 days in the desert in prayer and fasting and then began his public ministry: teaching, healing and proclaiming the Kingdom of God. His ministry led him to the events we celebrate during Holy Week. The circular panes around the outside of the window represent the Apostles, each with their name and attribute. The circle between the bottom two panes represents Peter. His symbol is two crossed keys. The next circle represents Andrew. His symbol is fish for he was a fisherman. The fish are crossed in the manner of the X shaped cross on which he was crucified.
The next pane moving up the left side of the window is Jesus bringing Lazarus back to life, a foreshadowing of his own Resurrection. Lazarus is seen pulling off the burial cloth at Jesus command, suggested by His hand gesture. A butterfly, the symbol of new life and resurrection, is in the upper corner of the pane.
The events of Holy Week are depicted in the next two panes. The first illustrates the Last Supper, the Passover meal that Jesus ate with his Apostles. The face of one Apostle can be seen, and the row of halos indicates that they were all present. During the meal Jesus turned the unleavened bread and the wine into his Body and Blood. Jesus gave his Apostles the grace to do the same and this is the Sacrament of the Eucharist which we celebrate at every Mass. The bread and the chalice which he holds remind us that when we receive Holy Communion, we receive the Body and Blood of Jesus.
The next pane represents Jesus’ Passion. He is dressed as “The King of the Jews” wearing a royal robe and a crown of thorns. He holds a reed, the scepter of a mocked king. He is being derided by the soldiers and chief priests. The pillar and whips, a sign of his scourging, are in the inner corner of the pane.
The final pane is of Jesus’ Resurrection. He is pulling the burial cloths off his head with the same gesture that Lazarus uses. The stone slabs at right angles to each other suggest the opened tomb and the power of this moment which overcomes death and the grave. His left hand bears the mark of the nail and it is raised with two fingers up symbolizing his divine and human natures and three curved down, symbolizing the Trinity. In the inner corner of the pane is a phoenix, a bird from mythology that comes alive and rises from it’s ashes. It symbolizes new life: the new life that Jesus’ Resurrection bestows upon us allowing us to rise from the ashes of our sin, and the eternal life that we will one day enjoy with Him.
The next two circular panes on this side of the window represent James Major (James the greater) and his brother of John. James’s symbol is a scallop shell. John was the only Apostle not to be martyred. Two attempts were made to kill him: first by throwing him into boiling oil and the second time by making him drink poisoned wine. His symbol is a cup with a snake coming out, representing this second attempt. Philip is depicted next. He is mentioned at the multiplication of the loaves (Jn 6:5). His symbol is a basket, representing this event, and a cross. The final circle represents James Minor (James the lesser). It is thought that he was beaten to death and his symbol is a fuller’s club which was used to beat cloth to compact the woven threads.
There are many images of the Crucifixion in the windows, but these are the only depictions of the Last Supper, the mockery of the soldiers, and the Resurrection. May they help us as we reflect on the institution of the Eucharist, the Passion and death of Jesus, and the Resurrection in our prayer this Lent.