|
Passion and Death Window The Agony In The Garden, The Examination Of Christ, Crucifixion
| |
 |
Inside the top circle, alpha and omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, indicate Christ. The cross is the sign of salvation. In juxtaposition they mean that Christ, our Savior, is the beginning and the end of all things.
Pictured in the top medallion is the Crucifixion. All creation was saddened by Christ’s death, as indicated by the black circles darkening the sun and the moon, the gathering clouds and the lightning. The city is seen in the background. St. John and Our Blessed Mother are at the foot of the cross. On the cross above Our Lord’s head are the letters INRI. A person being executed carried with him a board inscribed with the accusation. For Jesus, the charge was His affirmation of Kingship. In Latin the charge read: IESUS NAZARENUS REX IUDAEORUM = JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Inside the next circle is the Cross of Conquest, a cross resting on a banded orb. It bespeaks Christ’s Lordship over the world by His atoning sacrifice. Redemption has been achieved for the peoples of all countries and cultures and times. The benefits of Christ’s triumph over sin and death are to accrue to peoples of the whole world forever!
Pictured in the middle medallion is the court of Pontius Pilate. Jesus, with multiple bruises, with a reed for a scepter stuck through His bound wrists, and wearing a crown of thorns, stands before Pontius Pilate. The Roman guard stands with raised spear.
Inside the next circle is a crown of thorns and three nails. The soldiers plaited a crown out of thorns and forcibly thrust it on Christ’s head to ridicule his Divine Kingship. Then He was nailed to a cross. Picturing three nails is a reference to the Blessed Trinity.
Pictured in the bottom medallion is the Agony of Christ. On His knees, Jesus prays in despair. A comforting and strengthening angel proffers the crucible and cross to the beseeching Christ. Judas, lantern in hand, is leading in a mob armed with clubs. The special friends of Jesus, the three sleeping apostles, Peter, James and John, are oblivious.
Inside the bottom circle is a chalice and passion cross, indicating Christ’s bitter cup of suffering; the Agony climaxed by His atoning Crucjfixion. Crisscrossing rays reveal this to be Divinely ordained. |
| | | |