The Lenten Journey Stole
This stole is an abstract representation of the journey we walk through during Lent. A variety of purple fabrics have been pieced and layered to help tell the story. Please enjoy these close up images of this stole.
This hand dyed fabric makes us think of ‘the passion’ in general and specifically the blood that Jesus shed for us.
The odd shaped dark purple fabric reminds us of the basin Jesus used to wash the disciples feet. The contrast of the dark fabric with the light is symbolic of Jesus’ humility and servanthood in the act of washing their feet in contract with their hearts at the time.
The dotted fabric is the lull of the disciples who fell asleep while with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Judas planned the betrayal of Jesus with religious leaders and the tension that arose. Even so Jesus knew what was ahead but kept teaching. The half circle shape represents Judas (half a circle because he was two-faced) and the lines are the tension.
On the way from Bethany to Jerusalem, Jesus cursed the fig tree, warning of the consequences of spiritual fruitlessness. And he challenged the Temple practice of selling on premises. Jesus was reminding his followers and the world that the way faith looks different than the way of the world. The variety of shapes in this section of the stole speak to that.
The bread of the seder meal where Jesus shared heartfelt words and interceded on the disciples behalf. The spiral symbolizes His love.
Jesus humiliated, degrade and made into a laughing stock and then experienced the worst pain imaginable on the cross.
As in any abstract representation what the artist is intending and what the viewer sees and feels can easily be two different things. That is fine and wonderful! I hope this stole is a meaningful connection to the Word in worship. See it in full here.
