NEW TESTAMENT WINDOW #3
PENTECOST:
I WILL BE WITH YOU ALWAYS.
This window speaks of the power of the coming of the Spirit of God upon the early Church. In the New Testament there are three great symbols referring to the flame. All of these elements surround or encompass the Chi-Rho which is the symbol for Christ. The Dove refers to the Baptism of Christ. It refers to John 3:5, "unless a man be born again of water and the spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." Also the disciples are commanded to make disciples by baptizing. So in the lower half of the window is a green circle symbolic of the world. The water flows over it and in the water at its base is a fish: symbolic of the Christians. The tongues of fire refer to the descent of the Spirit on Pentecost and the lily at the top of the window is a symbol of the Resurrection which denotes the facts that only after Christ's death and Resurrection could the Spirit be sent. And so Pentecost remains a continuation of the power of Christ's new life. It is a continuation which is with us now because with the sending of the power of the Spirit we are assured of the fact that He is with us now as He was with the early Christians and as He will be with the generations who will follow us. What was begun at our Baptism is continued through the sending of the Spirit in Confirmation to be brought to its fulfillment and completion at the end of time.
