Window 9

On the south side, the middle of three windows at the front illustrates the Gospel in John 15:26–6:4 for the seventh Sunday in Easter. Jesus is seated with his disciples at the Last Supper.  He points to the emblem of a lamb with a victory banner.  At the top is a dove surrounded by seven flames.  At the window’s base lies a dead man surrounded by stones.

In this Sunday’s Gospel Jesus is preparing his disciples for the time when they will no longer see him face to face.   He promises to send them the Holy Spirit (dove with the sevenfold gifts of the Spirit).  Harnessed with these spiritual gifts, the disciples are to bear witness to the risen Christ (lamb with victory flag).  But their testimony, Jesus warns, will bring them persecution and death.  It will happen at the hands of people who think they are serving God.

At the base of the window lies a man who has been stoned to death.  It is Stephen, put to death by the religious leaders of the Jews who thought they were doing God a service.  As the first Christian martyr, Stephen  heads a long list of faithful witnesses with whom Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel have been fulfilled.