Stained Glass Window 6: Jesus and the Little Children

This is the sixth in a 12-part series on our stained glass windows in Ascension Catholic Church.

This window depicts the beautiful invitation of Jesus to “let the little children come to me” (Matthew 19:14). When Ascension Parish was founded, it was comprised of many young families and this window was a tribute to our parish demographics.

“Jesus asks for childlike abandonment to the providence of our heavenly Father who takes care of his children’s smallest needs” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 305). The faithful person depends on God in a way that is absolutely dependent. The faith God looks for is humble, teachable and trusting — like a child. Childlike faith is a metaphor for trust, dependence and love, and an encouragement to ask for what we need, depending on him fully — like children depend on their Father.

In Matthew, Jesus called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:2-4).

The Cross and Crown (above Jesus’ head) are familiar symbols. They represent the reward awaiting in heaven (the crown) that believers will receive after the suffering and trials of life on earth (the cross). We see the Chi Rho (Christ) symbol flanked by the letters “J” and “M” which signify Joseph and Mary. All three together then indicates the Holy Family (Jesus, Mary and Joseph) and their flight to Egypt when Jesus was a child with the pyramids in the background. The pyramid is also the symbol of the Body of Christ. All the corners of the pyramid come together in the Head Stone, Christ the Lord.

St. Therese of Lisieux, also known as “the Little Flower,” stated: “I (pray) like children who do not know how to read, I say very simply to God what I wish to say, without composing beautiful sentences, and He always understands me.”

Meditate on these questions when observing this window — When has my faith been shaken? How can I regain that simple, unquestioning, faith of a child? In what ways does God take care of my needs?

When reflecting on this window, we can pray with St. Therese, the Little Flower, “Dear Lord, help me to have a simple and childlike faith in You and, through this simple faith, come to know the beautiful mysteries You desire to reveal to me. Give me wisdom and knowledge, dear Lord, beyond what I could ever obtain by myself. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.”