Wednesday : Judas : forgiveness window

engraved glass by Laurence Whistler

St Nicholas Church, Moreton

detail of Forgiveness Window, St Nicholas Moreton

As you can probably guess, this church originally had coloured stained glass windows... but they were destroyed by a WW2 bomb. Over many years they were gradually replaced by a series of beautiful etched glass windows by Laurence Whistler ( a relative of the oil painter ).
     The Forgiveness Window was donated by the engraver, but only at last accepted by the church many years after his death... it depicts Judas’ suicide... but as the 30 pieces of silver fall from his dying hands the coins are transformed into seedlings... a moving visual symbol of forgiveness & new life.

you can see more of these windows by searching on Pinterest or Google

"Father Forgive them; they do not know what they are doing." St Luke 23 v 33

In the light of recent events in Paris I realise that, sadly, I could continue to paint a whole series like this painting, with a changing range of events throughout the world surrounding the cross...

...but maybe you will notice at least one sign of hope given in this painting ? 

I also noted the significant signs of hope & solidarity given by people in Paris, after the traumatic attacks on ordinary people...

• ...those who offered hospitality to random survivors needing somewhere to stay overnight...
• ...the young man who brought out his piano, played some of Lennon's peace music...
• ...all those who just turned up at the hospital to donate blood for the wounded...
• ...and, of course the array of flowers, candles & prayers...

 & crowds gathering for a vigil in Trafalgar Square, even in the pouring rain 

• February 2016 : Ive just found this website on Forgiveness:  click link below ...

http://theforgivenessproject.com/stories/desmond-tutu-south-africa/