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The Stained
Glass Window (East)
The stained glass window is to be understood and appreciated as part of the Garden. From the architectural perspective, the Garden is part of the Church rather than apart from it. The inspiration for the garden comes from the Gospel of John : "In the place where He had been crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. Because of the Jewish Preparation Day they laid Jesus there, for the tomb was close at hand." |
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Since the sun rises in the East, the East has always been associated with the coming of the Lord and the Resurrection of Jesus. The window, designed by David Wilson from Connecticut, filters the morning light. Leaded glass has been combined with clear glass to keep the natural garden beyond as part of the window. It presents a symbolic statement of the mystery of Jesus' death and resurrection. The jagged spears of glass suggest the agony of Jesus on the cross while the open, clear glass in the middle suggests the empty tomb and the Resurrection. St. John, in his gospel, tells us that after Jesus' death "one of the soldiers thrust a lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out." Traditional Christian spirituality has seen in the blood and water from Christ's pierced side the source of the sacramental life of the church. In the window there is a blue stream and a red stream suggesting both the water and the fire of the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation with an overall wine color suggesting the blood of the covenant and the Holy Eucharist.
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