Today, to finish a week of glorious readings, there is the Return of the Prodigal Son, from Luke 15 1-3, 11, 32.

As I woke in my house, I marvelled again at the truth and poetry and the father’s words.

‘My Son, you are with me always and all I have is yours. But it is only right we should celebrate and rejoice, because your brother here was dead and has come to life. He was lost and is found.’

I had several chores to do, taking a friend to the airport before a family celebration. I ended up calling in at the end of the High Anglican service at Chiswick, where my father-in-law lives, then heard the sermon at the Russian Orthodox in Gunnersbury. Walking through central London that evening, I came across an evangelical service in Chester Square and ended up finally with mass at the Cathedral.

The sermon in the Russian church, translated for us by the deacon, struck me.

We all have our cross to bear, however young, wealthy, prosperous and successful. The point is to learn to live with it. We feel we will only be happy if we are free; if we do what we like. In fact, true freedom is found in not doing what we like.

So the sermon sticks in my mind.

But at the end of my journey this day, through the many different churches, I was struck by the central power of the Eucharistic prayer of the mass at the cathedral.