Biblical art in Catholic churches
Tag: Stained glass
After describing the creation of the world, the book of Genesis then turns its attention to the arrival of the first humans. In doing so, it reveals important truths about how God wanted the world to be. It speaks to issues of human identity, of our role in creation and of our relationship with God. … Continue reading The Creation of Adam and Eve (Genesis 2:1-25)
One Sabbath day in Jerusalem, Christ spotted a well-known beggar who had been blind from birth. People at the time often thought that his condition was a punishment for sin. So Christ’s disciples asked him whose fault it was that this had happened to him. Christ explained that it was nobody’s fault. Then he spat … Continue reading Christ heals a man born blind (John 9:1-41)
The episode of Christ meeting the Samaritan women at a well belongs in St John’s gospel (John 4:1-42). The story gives us a sense of Christ’s respect for women, his sensitivity and his determination to break down barriers. One day, when he was on his way back to Galilee, Christ came to a town called … Continue reading Christ meets the woman at the well (John 4:1-42)
The book of Deuteronomy contains an account of the last year that the Israelites spent in the desert. It also explains the Law of Moses in further detail. Within its pages, there is also a reference to the future coming of a great prophet, who would follow in Moses’ footsteps. Moses himself told the Israelites: … Continue reading The Arrival of a Great Prophet (Deuteronomy 18:13-22)
The book of Isaiah is often known as the ‘Fifth Gospel’ for its detailed references to the future birth, life and death of the Messiah. Particularly at Christmastime, several passages from the prophet are read during Mass that are understood as references to the birth of Christ. As Pope John Paul II explained: “One of … Continue reading The Virgin Birth (Isaiah 7:1-17)
The Song of Creation, also known as the Benedicite, is found within the Book of Daniel. It was originally a thanksgiving song, first sung by the Three Holy Youths, in one of their darkest hours. As Pope St John Paul II explained: “This hymn, sung by three young Hebrews who invite all the creatures to … Continue reading The Song of Creation (Daniel 3:46-90)
The Prophet Zechariah served God at a critical time, when the Jews had just returned from exile in Babylon (around 520 BC). He was from a priestly family and lived at the same time as the prophet Haggai (Nehemiah 12:1,12,16). The two of them supported the high priest Joshua and the governor Zerubbabel in the … Continue reading The Piercing of the Messiah (Zechariah 12:10-14)
‘The Visitation’ is the formal name for the visit of the Virgin Mary to her elderly relative, St Elizabeth. The episode is described only in St Luke’s gospel. It took place straight after the angel Gabriel told Mary that she was pregnant. Mary’s first thought on receiving this news was for her elderly relative Elizabeth, … Continue reading The Visitation (Luke 1:39-45)
After the execution of St James Major, King Herod had St Peter thrown into prison. As it was Passover, he ordered a very strict guard to be kept over him until the festival was over, when he would stand trial. In the meantime, the whole Church prayed for his deliverance. The night before his trial, … Continue reading St Peter’s rescue from prison (Acts 12:1-19)
Towards the beginning of his reign, the previously prayerful King David dramatically fell from grace. He had an affair with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite, who was one of his most loyal soldiers. To cover up the scandal, he then had Uriah killed. It all began when King David was walking on his … Continue reading King David’s affair with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:1-12:15)
