Window 7a: The Good Samaritan

  Window 7 presents two of Jesus' best-known parables:  The Good Samaritan and The Prodigal Son.  According to the planning documents (See Aisle Window Concept post), this "parable" window is designed to balance the "miracle" window directly across the nave (Window 4).

The first panel in Window 7 illustrates "The God Samaritan:"

And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among thieves which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead....But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was:  and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and...shewed mercy on him (Luke 10: 30, 33-34, 37).

Window 7:  "He had compassion and shewed
 mercy" (Luke 10:33, 37)

 In the image medallion, we see the Samaritan, holding a bottle of oil (or wine?) and reaching a helping hand out to the man who fell among thieves.  We know this is the Samaritan, and not Jesus, because the halo around his head does not include the three bars that are used to indicate a member of the Trinity (usually Jesus).

Above the Samaritan's head are the Levite and Priest who passed by on the other side, walking away; in the upper right is a donkey, presumably the "beast" that the wounded man will ride to the inn.

The image in the symbol medallion is identified in the Dedication bulletin from September 1948 as "the rose of charity."  It is a yellow rose surrounded by feathers, or possibly flames (except they are white, unlike other flames in other windows, that have yellow or red "tongues.")

Various online sources suggest that a yellow rose may indicate friendship or compassion (among many other things!), while the feathers (if that's what they are) remind me of the wings on the Caduceus, the often (mis)used symbol of the medical profession.  

So for me, the image combines healing with friendship and compassion, an interpretation that fits nicely with the actions of the Samaritan and also answers the question Jesus asks, 

Which now, of these three [the Levite, Priest, Samaritan], thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves? (Luke 10:36).  

As the lawyer says in response, "he that shewed mercy." And Jesus says, "Go thou and do likewise."  (Luke 10:37)

Prayer:

You have shown us, through your great mercy toward us, what it means to have compassion and be a good neighbor.  Help us imitate your example and deal kindly, helpfully, and bountifully with our neighbors both near and far.  Amen. 

South Aisle, Window 7:  The Good Samaritan and The Prodigal Son

Window Dedication:

In loving memory of my husband Rudolf Giselius
Given by Ragna Giselius