Page 15 - LOTN Issue 45

WITNESS

Rembrandt van Rijn, The Return of the Prodigal Son, c. 1661–
1669. Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg
(https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rembrandt
Harmensz van Rijn Return of the Prodigal Son Google Art Project)
Jesus’ Garden of Souls a profound effect on him and led him to reflect on his own
life in the context of the parable. The book explains the
BY ALISON DE SOUZA parable from the perspective of the compassionate Father,
resentful elder son and younger son who squandered all
and returned, and discusses that we have played all these
During the lockdown St Mary's Cathedral parishioner Alison roles in our lives. Sean tells me that the writing resonates
De Souza has been looking for some good news to relieve with the heart.
the COVID-19 gloom and has been busy interviewing folk Sean was at a point in his life where he believed in God
over the 'phone. In the following article Alison talks to fellow and knew (in his heart) that Jesus was important but felt he
parishioner Sean Hayes whom she met at an Alpha Course lacked knowledge. He wanted to deepen his connection
earlier this year. with God and prayed sincerely for help. What happened
My Father’s House next is that he was offered a new job working in London
a few days every week. When in London he made the
daunting decision to go to church. Daunting, he says, as he
does not like crowds and did not know what to do and say,
"He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; but he loved hearing about the Lord and loved the singing
everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and too.
rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to His employer then asked him to take on a project as an
life again; he was lost and has been found’ "(Luke 15: 11- environmental engineer where he would need to travel
32). to the Falkland Islands for public presentations. Sean was
ean Hayes and I first met at the end of January
this year when we joined an Alpha Course.
"Alpha in a Catholic Context" is an eleven-
Sweek series of talks and discussions about the
Christian faith. Weekly sessions follow the format of
a meal and praise and worship, followed by a focus on
the module topic of the week and a group discussion.
Our course continued in person until the lock down
when meetings moved to "Zoom" video conferencing.
My favourite topic in the series of Alpha modules is
forgiveness. The Parable of the Prodigal Son features in this
module and is a wonderful description of homecoming.
Most of us find forgiveness challenging. We may forgive
but find it difficult to forget. Forgiveness of self can be the
hardest forgiveness of all. During our session, our group
leader mentioned she had been moved by Henri J.M.
Nouwen’s "The Prodigal Son". When Henri Nouwen first St Mary’s Church, Falkland Islands, consecrated in 1899
saw a reproduction of Rembrandt’s painting (above) it had
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