The Word of God Comes to Earth

The images of the four evangelists in the pendentives refer to the Gospels. The haloed writers are depicted in the classical Eastern manner of a philosopher: seated, foot supported on a footrest, book on lap, and quill in hand.

The traditional figures of man, lion, ox, and eagle near each evangelist correspond to each one's Gospel. The same four creatures are associated with Ezekiel's vision of the fiery wheel, and are also described in Revelation singing before the throne of God. These images first appeared in Christian art in the fourth century. They are often used as symbols of the Gospels.

Because the Gospel according to Matthew begins with the genealogy of Jesus Christ starting with Abraham, the father of the Jewish people, and emphasizes Jesus' humanity, a human face is the symbol assigned to it.

The symbol for Mark is a lion since this Gospel begins with the fierce preaching of John the Baptist in the desert. The lion is also a symbol of Christ’s divinity and kingship proclaimed in this Gospel.

An ox, the symbol of sacrifice, is assigned to Luke since this Gospel begins in the Temple with the priest Zechariah entering the Holy of Holies to offer sacrifice. The Gospel emphasizes the priestly and sacrificial aspects of Jesus’ life.

The Gospel according to John begins with a mysterious prologue that proclaims Jesus as the preexistent and incarnate Word of God who reveals the Father. A high-soaring eagle is its symbol. The eagle also may be a symbol of the Holy Spirit promised by Jesus in the Gospel.

The Ambo

The word of God is proclaimed to the assembly during the liturgy from an elevated reading stand or ambo. That helps draw the attention of the people to the presence of God in the Scriptures.

Matthew

Mark

Luke

John

 

The Ambo

The ambo rests on pillars of Verde Antiqua marble, similar to the bases of the baptismal font, ambry, and altar, evoking the intimate relationship among the sacraments of initiation – baptism, confirmation, and eucharist – and the written word of God.