Stained Glass Windows
Part 4 - The Six Mercies
“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me,” and, “Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” - Jesus
Location - Left side, along the wall of the nave.
The six rectangular stained glass windows that flank the left side of the nave depict the Gospel lesson: Matthew 25:31 -46. They show what are called “The Six Mercies.” These are only a representative sampling of the types of things Jesus calls us to do as subjects of our Heavenly King. The inscription in each window describes the tasks spelled out in the Gospel lesson: “Feed the Hungry,” “Give Drink to the Thirsty,” “Shelter the Stranger,” “Clothe the Naked,” “Visit the Sick,” and “Ransom the Captive.”
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The six windows are plain and straightforward in their depiction of the Six Mercies. Only in the lastwindow is there a bit of symbolism. It’s the large anchor being held by the man who is visiting the prisoner in chains. The anchor is a very ancient Christian symbol of hope. An anchor holds a ship safely in place against tides and winds, and so it is also with the hope of Christ’s Resurrection. Writing to the Hebrews of the certainty of God’s promise, St. Paul says, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” (Hebrews 6:13-20)