Part Two
Adult Ministry
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John the Baptist | Scripture: John 1:29; John 3:5 Symbols & Images: Lamb of God with Cross and Banner on Bible, Ecce Agnus Dei John the Baptist prepares the way for Jesus’ ministry. John the Baptist said of Jesus, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” “Ecce Agnus Dei” is Latin for “Behold the Lamb of God.” The lamb was the animal sacrificed by the ancient Hebrews as well as the one offered at the Passover meal. The lamb carries a resurrection banner. The white pennant with a cross represents the body of Christ and is attached to a cruciform staff that symbolizes the cross on which the Lamb of God died. The lamb is standing to suggest that the Lamb of God is risen and triumphant. |
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The Baptism of Jesus | Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-10 Symbols & Images: Dove, Shell, Water Jesus is baptized by John in the River Jordan. The dove is a symbol of the Holy Spirit that descended on Jesus at his baptism. The water symbolizes both the River Jordan in which Jesus was baptized as well as the water of our own baptism. The shell is often used to apply the water from the font at baptism. In early Jewish and Christian art, the shell was a symbol of immortality and was then applied to the new life we are given in baptism. |
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The Calling of the Disciples | Scripture: Matthew 4:18-22; Luke 5:1-11 Symbols & Images: Chi-Rho, Net Jesus Chooses his Disciples. The Chi-Rho symbol incorporates the first two Greek letters for Christ. Here it is draped with a net to symbolize Jesus calling Simon, Andrew, James and John to be disciples while they were fishing. |
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The First Apostles: Andrew and John | Scripture: John 1:35-42 Symbols & Images: St. Andrew Cross, Gold Eagle Andrew and John become Jesus’ apostles. The symbol for St. Andrew is a cross shaped like an X because of the tradition that he was executed by being tied to a cross. St. John is often symbolized by an eagle whose outstretched wings represent the spread of the Gospel. |
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The Miracle at Cana | Scripture: John 2:1-11 Symbols & Images: Chi-Rho, Wedding Rings, Jars Jesus performs his first miracle at Cana in Galilee. The Chi-Rho symbol incorporates the first two Greek letters for Christ. Here it is shaped as a cross and combined with two intertwined rings symbolizing marriage. The jars represent the containers filled with water that Jesus turned into wine. |
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The Sermon on the Mount | Scripture: Matthew 5:1 — 7:27 Symbols & Images: Radiant Cross on Mountain. Jesus preaches to the crowds and gives the beatitudes and the Lord’s Prayer. The radiant cross symbolizes the light of Jesus’ teaching as he preached to the crowds on the mountain. |
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The Sending of the Apostles | Scripture: Matthew 10:5-7 Symbols & Images: Radiant cross over a globe superimposed on the scriptures Jesus sends his apostles into all the region to preach the Good News. The cross over the globe (the Cross of Victory) symbolizes the spread of the Gospel, represented by the Bible, to all the world. |
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Jesus Healing | Scripture: Matthew 12:15; Luke 4:40 Symbols & Images: Jesus and Man being healed Jesus heals a person’s illness. Jesus’ healing power is highlighted in an example from his ministry. |
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The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes | Scripture: Matthew 14:13-21; Luke 9:10-17 Symbols & Images: Chi-Rho, Loaves of bread, Fish Jesus feeds the multitude. The Chi-Rho symbol incorporates the first two Greek letters for Christ. Here it is used with the loaves of bread and the fishes that Jesus used to feed the crowd that had gathered to hear him preach. |
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The Transfiguration | Scripture: Luke 9:28-36; Matthew 17:1-8 Symbols & Images:Chi-Rho, Tablets of the Ten Commandments, Scroll Peter, James and John witness Jesus’ transfiguration on the mountain with Moses and Elijah. The Chi-Rho symbol incorporates the first two Greek letters for Christ. Here it is surrounded by the radiant light to show how Jesus was changed in the Transfiguration. The tablets and scroll (the Law and the Prophets) represent Moses and Elijah who were present with Jesus on that day. |