July 15, 2026

Wednesday Word . . . Window Stories: North Nave – Center

The north wall of the nave (on the right as you enter the church) has three windows. The center window bears an image of three women meeting an angel. The window is titled, “Resurrection,” and while it doesn't give a scriptural citation, this scene comes from Mark 16:1, as that is the only resurrection story with three women and one angel. The women are identified as Salome, Mary the mother of James, and Mary Magdalene. In the left margin is a peacock. The peacock has been part of Christian art symbolizing immortality, resurrection (new, vibrant feathers replacing older feathers when it molts), and possibly the many-eyed creature of Revelation 4. The right margin contains a pomegranate – a symbol of Christ's suffering, the blood he shed, and the many seeds representing the unity of believers in the one Church.

The women in the window aren't named, but I'm guessing that Salome is in gold, Mary the mother of James is in blue, and Mary Magdalene is in a purple-ish red. Unfortunately we really don't know who exactly Salome was, but there are several conjectures as to who she might be without having a clear identity. The Blessed Virgin Mary is always depicted in blue, and I wonder if “Mary the mother of James” refers to James, the brother of Jesus, thereby making this woman Mary the mother of Jesus. Mary Magdalene is often depicted in red from a story where she proclaimed the resurrection to Emperor Tiberius who said, “If Christ is risen, this egg is red,” and the white egg became red.

In Matthew, Luke, and John, the women (woman in John) leave the empty tomb and proclaim the resurrection to the eleven disciples. In Mark, however, the women leave the tomb and “say nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.” I love this ending because it's an open-ended story. It tells us the resurrection happened, but then leaves it up to us to proclaim the good news of the resurrection. This gospel reminds us that we can either say nothing to anyone because we are afraid, or we can be the ones to proclaim the good news. If we do not tell this most important story of our faith, it ends with us. But if we tell the story of the resurrection, and how that story of new life relates to us, the story will continue.

We all have faith stories to share. What's yours?

Blessings,

Todd+