FEATURE | LUMEN
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RESURRECTION WINDOW
The Resurrection Window was originally made in 1988 with 18mm thick Dalle de Verre slab glass by architect Mr Ho Kok Ho under the guidance of the late Bro Joseph McNally when the chapel was built .
Over the years , the elements have caused expansion and contraction of the glass slabs and a multitude of tiny deep fractures appeared within the glass mural . Wax used in the production process has seeped into the fractures causing the slabs to break apart when the remaining epoxy was removed . The metal frame which supported various panels was rusty . Pieces of glass came loose and fell off .
The solution was to create a replica on stained glass . It will never look exactly the same as the original as sheet stained glass is between 3mm to 6mm thick and Dalle glass is 18mm thick with the surfaces hacked for refractions which make the glass beautifully and deeply rich .
BAPTISM WINDOW ( completed together with Last Supper window in 1997 .) An eye with gold streaks of movement represents the presence of God . The gold ring opens up as John the Baptist baptises Jesus in the river ; “ and the Holy Spirit came down , upon him in bodily form like a dove .” ( Lk 3:21 ). The brown leaves represent our old self being now transformed to a new self ( green leaves ) when we encounter God .
The water from the river flows down to the window below continues with the narrative that Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the Devil , after spending forty days and nights without food ( Matt 4:1-2 )
The temptation of Jesus is about desires for material needs , security and power . These desires are represented in the chest of gold coins representing wealth , is a Mercedes logo . It marks a period where Singapore society was so obsessed with the 5 Cs – Condominium ; Cash ; Credit Card , Club membership and Car . Owning a Mercedes car was a status symbol for many businessmen and the newly rich .
LAST SUPPER ( completed in 1997 ) This window represents two themes – The Last Supper and Jesus Forsaken on the Cross .
The gold ring that surrounds the last supper is broken It represents the relationship between God and us . Our brokenness keeps us apart from God but He , the Alpha and Omega in the form of a flame waiting to reconcile and purify us again . At every commemoration of the Last Supper , God is present among us .
As Jesus breaks the bread , wine is spilled and it flows to the lower window where a desolate
Mary carrying her dead son on a heap of our brokenness . “ For Christ died for sins once and for all , a good man on behalf of sinners , in order to lead you to God . “ ( 1 Peter 3:18 )