Tags
Dorset, Dorset County Museum, Forgiveness Window, Judas Iscariot, Judas tree, Laurence Whistler, Moreton Church, Thirty pieces of silver
You know, Candia, I like the idea of forgiveness. Even the vandals that committed that terrible act of desecration in Steep Church are merely re-enacting a type of evil behaviour like that of poor old Judas, but there is a wonderful tradition of felix culpa, isn’t there?
Yes, Brassie. The sadness of destruction reminded me of another Whistler window- a 13th pane which was rejected by the villagers of Moreton. It is now in the County Museum in Dorset. It struck me very powerfully some years ago as I considered the whole theological debate as to the ultimate salvation of the betrayer.
(Judas tree)
Whistler himself had written to The Independent in 1994, from Watlington in Oxfordshire, after experiencing the rejection of his offer of this 13th pane. It would only have been visible from the inside of the church. It showed Judas being pulled into Heaven by the rope around his neck. Some people are as resistant as that to salvation, I suppose. Anyway, he commented that three minutes of agonising strangulation was not to be compared to the extended suffering of crucifixion.
You wouldn’t have a poem on that, would you, Candia?
Well, actually, yes, I do, as a matter of fact:
The Forgiveness Window
(Engraved for Morton Church, by L. Whistler. Now in
Dorchester Museum.)
This was to have been a thirteenth blind pane,
seen only from the outside of the church:
replacement for its bombshell-slivered glass.
Judas the betrayer hangs from a tree.
His grasp relaxes and thirty pieces
of silver metamorphose into a
c
a
t
a
r
a
c
t
of flowers.
Discernment can come from outside the Church.
Inside some, coin-lidded, opt for cataracts.
Most see through glass darkly; few face to face.
Candia Comes Clean 
Now I want to go to Dorchester to the museum! Didn’t know Whistler lived in Wattlington in Oxfordshire – did a PGCE school placement there 104 years or so ago – but a few years after Whistler left!
Hello Candia – I’m one of Laurence Whistler’s daughters and was delighted to chance on your blog and the poem about the Forgiveness Window. I thought you’d like to know that there is some very good news: the people who felt that the picture of Judas hanging was too violent have relented, and the PCC and the vicar are now thoroughly in favour of it, so it will be installed sometime quite soon – next month, I believe. My father arranged with Dorchester Museum that they would house it only until Moreton had a change of heart, as he hoped they eventually would, so now their custody of it is about to come to an end. In fact, the panel may already have left Dorchester so don’t go visiting without ringing them first!
My father died in 2000, but he would have been pleased that there is now so much more thoughtfulness around both Judas himself and the question of forgiveness. He told me he hoped that Urs von Balthazaar was right, that “there is a hell, but it’s empty.”
I was always struck by Bunyan’s portrayal of the imprisoned Christian and Hopeful in Pilgrims Progress. Eventually, Christian suddenly realised that all the while he had been in despair at being incarcerated in the giant’s dungeon, he had had the key in his own bosom.
Milton says something similar in Paradise Lost. The devils are in Hell, but the gates are open.
I will look up Urs von Balthazar.
The concept and practice of forgiveness always takes time and it is sad that your father did not live to see this outcome. King Lear and The Winter’s Tale also show the slowness of spiritual dawning. But it will come.
However, I rejoice that growth in vision has taken place and that his artwork has resulted in scales falling off and eyes seeing through glass- even if darkly.
I thank him for sharing his epiphany with the world.
I also thank you for encouraging me to keep writing!
What an interesting thoughtful read
Thank you. Of course any profundity came from the original artwork and its contexts.
Do visit again soon!
Very touched by this writing and the following comments. Thanks!
You are very kind. It cheers me to know there are many other people out there who
can inhabit my responses.
Refreshing and different! I thoroughly enjoyed this post!
Thank you. I have now read many of your posts too, with enjoyment.
I was led to read this again from a more thoughtful place this time, and was reminded of the massacre at Columbine High School. There was a man who felt led to construct life-size memorial crosses for the victims of the shooting and place them on a hill. Everyone thought that was great except that he also made two crosses for the shooters. There was outrage over that and one of the father’s of the victims took two of the crosses down. The man who made the crosses then came back and took them all down. If there are some things for which there can be no forgiveness, then we are all doomed…
Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us..
Says it all.
Thanks for sharing that.
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Thank you for the meditation on my poem which was a meditation in glass by Whistler.
The message of forgiveness needs to be passed on.
You are welcome. I linked to your post hoping you would not mind. A chain of forgiveness… 🙂
Lovely post which raises profound and deep questions, thank you
Touched that it spoke to you. Thank you.
I grew up calling these trees “flowering Judas;” it wasn’t until I was an adult that I learned their other name, Redbud. I remember my mother speaking of the Legend of the Judas Tree–are you familiar with it?
Yes, thank you, but you have reminded me of them. I will read about the legends again.
Beautiful post. Thank you for connecting me to this important art and history.
So glad you appreciated it. Laurence Whistler had the vision to create the window in the first place.
Thanks for following my posts.
Forgiveness is the key to free us from any prison of bitterness. I agree and really enjoyed this entry.
Thank you. I always enjoy getting a response.
You’re welcome. I know what you mean. blessings, Nancy