All Revelation is centered in Christ. The New Testament records the fulfillment of the hope of the ages. The Old Testament tells of God leading and protecting the people whom he had chosen, always giving them hope in the promise of a Savior.
It is fitting that St. Matthew begin the first book of the new Testament with the genealogy of our Savior, thus linking the old and the new. It was with this passage in mind that our beautiful mosaic was designed. So that Christ might appear more in his role as universal Redeemer, the names of Adam and Eve, Seth, Enos and Noe were added from the genealogy recorded in St. Luke. The mosaic presents the full picture of Christ, the Hope of all. The green tree with its numerous branches and leaves spreads its foliage over the majestic gold background, symbolizing the supernatural world in which the chosen figures are placed.
At the roots of the tree we find ADAM and EVE, our first parents. They were the first to receive the promise of a Savior. After Cain killed Abel in the first murder on earth, Eve gave birth to SETH. ENOS, a god-fearing man is mentioned in the mosaic. To Enos is dated the first offering of public worship to God. NOAH, the just man who walked with God was given the command to settle on the earth after the flood.
ABRAHAM, the chosen herdsman with a strong faith, was told that in him would all nations be blessed; he was the man chosen to be the ancestor of the Jews. ISAAC was the child promised to Abraham and Sara in their old age. The strong faith of Abraham is exercised as Isaac kneels at his feet about to be sacrificed. The angel sent by God to stay the hand of Abraham is also pictured.
On the opposite side, Isaac’s son, JACOB, whose name was changed to ISRAEL, dreams and views the ladder reaching to heaven where God appears and promises him the land on which he rests and that his offspring would be as numerous as the sand of the sea.
To the left branching out is JESSE, the father of DAVID the great prophet-king. It was David who ruled over a united Israel for the first and very nearly last time in its history. To David it was promised, “Thy throne shall remain forever unshaken.”
In the year 538 B.C., the Jewish nation returned 40 years’ exile in Babylon. ZOROBABEL the Prince-Governor supervised the rebuilding of the temple destroyed 40 years after. God repeats the Zorobabel the promise he made to David: “I will raise up your seed after you and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” The desired of nations would descend from the line of Zorobabel.
Next to Zorobabel stands JOACHIM, the father of MARY, and then MARY, the VIRGIN who conceived through the power of the Holy Spirit – with her branches come to an end.
Of Jacob’s 12 sons, JUDA is represented in the center of the tree, because in direct descent of his tribe a child will be born as the Lord said, “the scepter shall not depart from Juda nor the staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs.”
On the right of the branches lead to BOOZ, the just man. Booz married Ruth, the gentile woman, a forecast of the calling of all nations. Booz begot Obed, the father of Jesse.
SOLOMON, the King-son of David whose wisdom was famous throughout the East, stands as a type for Christ. It was Solomon who built the first magnificent temple. Christ would be the cornerstone of a temple which would last to the end of time.
ELEAZAAR is listed as the father of JACOB, who fathered JOSEPH the carpenter from Nazareth in whom God put the trust of caring for His Son. Here again the branches come to an end.
The precious fruit of the tree stands in the center dominating the others in size and strength; His hands are lifted in the motion of preaching and blessing. He is the SON OF GOD, JESUS CHRIST.
Thus, the mosaic presents the great heritage which is ours as members of Christ’s body.