David Lance Goines Stained glass triptych

David Lance Goines Non-Poster Works

Stained glass triptych

(Saint Mary Magdalen, left panel; the Risen Christ,central panel; Saint Dominic, right panel).

Saint Mary Magdalen (left panel, 28.5" x 100"); the Risen Christ, (central panel, 39" x 108"); Saint Dominic (right panel, 28.5" x 100").

Client: Saint Mary Magdalen Parish, 2005 Berryman, Berkeley, California 94709.

April 20, 2002

The manufacturer of the stained glass used in the windows is Glashutte Lamberts, Schuetzen Strasse 1 95652 Waldsassen, Germany (0) 9632/2371

The execution of the design was by Raymond Centanni and the workers of Great Panes, 3764 Silverado Trail, Napa A 94515 (707) 963-9115

As a burning glass gathers the rays of the sun to an intense point, so does the ornamentation in a House of God provide a focus for worship, kindling a divine fire in the heart of the worshipper. Stained glass windows spell out tales of saints and the Trinity, of death and redemption, martyrdom and heavenly reward. But mostly, they're beautiful, and their beauty enhances pleasure in worship. They are beautiful for everyone; they have no concern for faith or creed. In their catholic embrace they transmit the mercy of God, and His boundless love for all His creatures.

Though stained glass transmits the light, it does not transmit all the light. It mutes and softens what would otherwise be unbearable. Were we to fix our gaze on the full light of the Sun, we would be blinded.

We, too are as stained glass: Our understanding is small and dim; the light we transmit colored and distorted. Let us not reproach others for their faith when it does not agree with ours, or war with them and kill them for their contrary belief, lay waste to their homes and despoil their places of worship, and engender hatred and vengeance.

Were we even to glance at the full Glory of God, we would be consumed utterly, and it is one of the Creator's great mercies that the minds of His creatures cannot comprehend His greatness. We do not, and cannot,understand the Creator of All Things; He who is from Everlasting to Everlasting; the Alpha and the Omega; the I Am that I Am. We are all God's children, male and female, Jew and Greek, bond and free; and each person's grasp of God's grace is what God meant that person to have.

Let us therefore be content with what understanding we possess, and transmit the light of God as well as we can, though muted and distorted, beautiful just as it is.