Rückkehr des verlorenen Sohnes
(Return of the Prodigal Son)
Christian Rohlfs 1916
This wood cut portrayal of the ‘return’ by the German expressionist Rohlfs, captures something of the sharper edged encounter at the deep heart of the story.
As we reflected on through the excellent Lent Talk, given by Dr Hannah Strommen, this story has many different themes and motifs and yet its over familiarity can breed a certain contempt borne out of our comfortable religiosity.
In this picture we see something of the unattractiveness of the son – gaunt, naked, kneeling yet begging. Here is the son who, when the going got tough, did not realise the error of his ways and ‘repent’ but merely decided that nothing could be as bad as his present predicament and so took a chance to go back home…
Here then is the son who stole his father’s inheritance, shamed and dishonoured him publicly and personally, shattered familial bonds and just had such a cheek!
He is lost and he is unlovable. So what? What is he to us?
Jonathan
Collect
Almighty God, by the prayer and discipline of Lent may we enter into the mystery of Christ’s sufferings, and by following in his Way may we come to share in his glory: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
We continue to pray for:
Clemmie, Michael Palmer, Guy Solan, Ellen Chapman, Kris Tippen, Catherine O’Brien, Jax Lemon, Laura-Sue Moss.
And those who have recently died and their loved ones:
Alan Clatworthy
If you know of anyone who needs our prayers or would appreciate a visit, please let the Rector or the Parish Administrator know.
Should you wish to contact the Rector his mobile number is 07538 011579.
Services for this weekend
8.00 BCP Holy Communion at West Wittering and Itchenor
At the main service at Birdham (9.30am) Jonathan Swindells’ sermon theme will be ‘There’s a wideness in God’s mercy – so what?’. At West Wittering (10.00) Bruce Holben’s sermon theme will be “Pie in the Sky when you Die???????????”. At Itchenor (11.00) Jonathan Swindells’ sermon theme will be ‘There’s a wideness in God’s mercy – so what?’
There will be Meditation on the Cross at 5.30 and Evensong at 6.00 at West Wittering and Susan Monks’ theme at Evensong will be “Your Cross, My Cross, His Cross”
The Ministry Team are only too happy to talk through aspects of their Sermon.
Sunday 17th March
Second Sunday of Lent
Morning
Genesis 15. 1-12, 17-18; Philippians 3. 17- 4.1; Luke 13. 31-end
BCP
1 Thessalonians 4. 1-8; Matthew 15. 21-28
Evensong
Jeremiah 22. 1-9, 13-17; Luke 14. 27-33.
Sunday 24th March
Third Sunday of Lent
Morning
Isaiah 55. 1-9; 1 Corinthians 10. 1-13; Luke 13. 1-9
BCP
Ephesians 5. 1-14; Luke 11. 14-28
Evensong
tbc
