|
Baker Photography
Hamilton, OH |
This is the fourth window on your right as
you come in the back of church. |
 |
| What to look for: |
|
|
Fish with a cross in its mouth, Star of David with 6 points, hand holding
a cross, LUX MUNDI (Latin for "light of the world"), The Trinity, Hand of the
Father, Fish for the Son, Bird for the Holy Spirit, Thomas points to the Trinity, SUMMA
THEOLOGICA ( a title for the writings of Thomas Aquinas), twelve stars, Thomas Aquinas,
monk and theologian. |
| . |
Meaning: TIn the corbelled sections, two fish, the left with the Chi-Rho (the first two letters of ‘Christ’ in Greek) and the cross, clearly linking them as symbolic representation of our Lord, who was called the “Fish of the Living” (Ichtous Zoonton) by the early Fathers of the Church and portrayed in early Christian art, as well.
Christ is shown as Lux Mundi, “The Light of the World” John 8:12; 9:5”. Above His head is the Star of David (Rev 22:16, cf also Num. 24: Matt. 2:2, 7, 9f; 2 Pet. 1:19; Rev. 2:28; 9:1; 22:16), to the right are, perhaps, stylized lightning and an oak leaf (strength, eternity). Jesus Himself is dress as of the royal priesthood (Heb. 3:1; 4:14; 6:20) and carries the orb surmounted by the cross, sign of his kingly authority (Psa 45:7; Heb 1:8).
Another hand is seen lower down, of the Father, and in the rays emanating there upon a fish – again, Jesus as Fish of the Living and, from Father and Son, the dove-like Holy Spirit.
Jesus also tells his disciples that they are the light of the world (Mat 5:14). That light passes from Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who in this window, is shown to inspire one of the greatest theologians of the mediaeval Church, Saint Thomas Aquinas (ca. 1225-1275, feast Jan 28, formerly Mar 7, the day of his death). The “Angelic Doctor”, as he is commonly known, is shown tonsured, for he was trained by and destined for the Benedictines, but elected instead to join the (then) recently founded Order of Preachers of St. Dominic. Indeed, the star upon his throat may indicate the illuminating eloquence of his sermons and teaching.
St. Thomas Aquinas, with quill in hand, stands in the act of composing the most famous and most influential of his many books, the Summa Theologica (or Summa Theologiae), his “Summary of Theology” which for centuries has been the touchstone of orthodoxy and the fundamental text of priestly formation, and the accepted basis of much of modern Roman Catholic teaching. After St. Paul and St. Augustine, there are few to rival Thomas Aquinas’ immense influence on Christian Doctrine.
Saint Thomas, for all his intellectual genius in using ancient philosophy (mainly Aristotle) to enlighten Catholic belief, was keenly aware of the sharp distinction between human reason and the grace of faith. St. Thomas taught that the existence of God, His eternity, His creative power and providence can be discerned through natural reason, apart from revelation. (cfr Rom 1). On the other hand, many fundamental Christian truths, such as the Holy Trinity, the Incarnation, the resurrection of the body, are mysteries which lie beyond the limits of rational understanding. They come to us revealed through the Scriptures and consistent teaching Tradition of the Fathers and Magisterium of the Church. While human understanding of truth is the province of the mind, the acceptance of mystery in faith belongs to the will to believe. These intellectual and moral acts of the Christian constantly seek harmony and mutual fulfillment and nourishment.
An obvious way in which St. Thomas’ light most brightly shines in the Church today is in the Eucharistic hymns taken from his Office for the Feast of Corpus Christi: Adore Te devote (“Humbly We Adore Thee”), “O Salutaris Hostia, Pange Lingua (“Sing My Tongue the Savior’s Glory”), particularly its last verses, the Tantum Ergo. Thomas taught wonderfully of the seven Sacraments of the Church as instituted by Christ. The Eucharist, to which he was especially devoted, is the “Sacrament of Sacraments”. As a faithful disciple of Jesus, Thomas is a true light in the Church for the world.
|
|
