Ordet

THE WORD

Father!

- Father! - Yes, what is it?

- Johannes is out on the dunes again. - Is he? Oh, no.

- I'm going to keep an eye on him. - I'm coming with you.

I'm coming.

- What's going on? - It's your brother.

- Johannes? - No, Anders.

- It must be Johannes again. - Yes.

- I better come along. - Yes.

- The poor thing. - Johannes?

Doesn't he need our pity, so incurably insane?

- Maybe he's happy like that. - You can't mean it.

- Put something warm on. - Yes.

- Your father's going, too. - I'm ready now.

I'll have hot coffee waiting.

I expect we'll need it.

Woe unto you, hypocrites!

You...

and you!

And you!

Woe unto you for your faithlessness!

Woe unto you, because you do not believe in me,

the risen Christ,

who has come to you at the bidding of Him

who made the heavens and the earth.

Verily, I say unto you,

Judgement Day is near.

God has called me

to be his prophet before his face.

Woe unto ye of little faith,

for only they who have faith

shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

- Is Johannes... - Yes.

What is that for, Johannes?

I am the light of the world,

but the darkness knoweth it not.

I came unto my own,

and my own received me not.

Why put the candlesticks there?

That my light shall shine in the darkness.

It's so sad.

He's quite mad - I mean, thinking he's Jesus.

I wonder if he'll ever recover his wits.

It's all that reading that's turned his head.

Yes.

He should never have been encouraged to study.

I did it because he was gifted.

You wanted a priest in the family.

No, there are priests a-plenty.

What's needed is a man to stir people.

I saw his gifts, I thought he was the spark

that could set Christianity ablaze once more.

I prayed with all my heart that he might have the voice of a prophet.

The reformer?

The renewer, yes, that's what I prayed for so earnestly.

See what has come of it.

We'd all better go back to bed.

- Good night, father. - Good night.

- Good night, father. - Good night, Anders.

I'll go and take a look at the sow.

Johannes will be his old self again.

How I've hoped he would get better,

but he never will.

Why do you say that?

Miracles no longer happen.

Nothing is impossible for God, if we pray to Him.

Inger, I've prayed and prayed.

You must pray once more.

Jesus himself said that He will grant our prayers.

I know, Inger, I know.

But what use have all my prayers been?

Can you know what your prayers have set in motion?

Pray and pray again,

even if you think your prayers are poor.

Good night, little Grandad.

Good night, Inger.

I'll sit up a little longer.

- Inger... - You do that.

Good night then.

I'm sorry for your father.

- I'm sorry for Johannes. - So am I.

- But... - But what?

Johannes may be nearer to God than we are,

but your father...

I can't bear his godliness.

You're unfair to your father.

He's been unfair to me.

He's never reproached you.

No, but I know what he thought

when I wouldn't participate in the piousness on this farm.

Mikkel, you do believe in God, don't you?

You know my views, Inger.

- You have no faith? - Not even faith in faith.

But you have something more important.

What's that?

A heart, and goodness.

Yes, faith is not enough if you are not a good person, too.

And you are.

- But I have no faith. - It will come.

- Are you so sure? - Yes.

Just you see how warm you will feel then.

And how happy.

It's nice to be happy, isn't it?

Yes, Inger girl. Now we must sleep, lass.

Good night, my big lad.

Karen, give that to the hens.

- You two must help me. - With what?

- Well, Anne and I are thinking... - Anders!

You haven't fallen in love with the tailor's daughter?

I have.

What's wrong in that, Mikkel?

Nothing, except it's the worst that could happen to you.

- The worst? - I don't mean her, she's sweet.

- What is it then? - What will father say?

That's why I need your help, if you're willing.

But what about her father? What will he say?

You know they don't share father's views on religion.

But if Anne and I love each other...

Mikkel and I agree with you.

- But... - But?

But what... eh, Mikkel?

Damned if I know.

You'll help me, won't you?

Of course we will help you.

Why don't you go and talk to Anne's father?

- He's impossible to talk to. - Try, at least.

Yes... yes.

I could try, of course. What do you think, Inger?

Yes. You try.

And I'll have a try with your father.

That'll be the hardest, but I'll try anything.

Thanks, Inger. I'm sure you'll manage.

- And you manage the tailor. - I'll go there now.

- Goodbye. - Good luck.

If only father doesn't become obstinate.

I'm more afraid of him becoming sad.

- Shouldn't you be cutting the reeds? - Yes.

- Goodbye, my lass. - Goodbye, goodbye.

- Anyone would think we're just engaged. - We are.

We have been married eight years.

- Don't mess it up. - Do I usually?

No, that was unfair.

Dear God, help me today also.

It's because the rain came in.

Grandfather...

- You made me jump. - Did I?

- What did you say? - Rain's getting in through the roof.

It certainly is.

Blasted rheumatism!

Coffee at this time of day?

It's so cold, grandfather.

Yes...

Biscuits, too. Home-made.

- You like my biscuits, don't you? - Yes.

Are you looking for this?

Yes, thank you.

I did fancy that pipe, but it needs filling.

It's been filled.

You can do that, too?

I can do everything.

Except have a son.

Now, now.

Here you go.

Listen..

- Grandfather... - Yes?

A corpse in the parlour.

What is he saying?

Be quiet, Johannes.

Shut the door.

So shall my Father in heaven be glorified.

There, there.

There, there, Johannes.

What was that he said?

Who cares about what he says, Inger?

Do you want another coffee?

Yes, please. A small one.

Thank you.

The new pastor just went into the church.

He hasn't called here yet.

He'll come one day.

Are Mikkel and Anders cutting reeds?

Mikkel left just as you came.

He preaches a good sermon.

The pastor? Yes...

but he takes rather too long to get to the "amen".

Yes, perhaps.

Grandfather...

- Yes? - Will you help me?

Yes, I suppose, if I can.

You can.

You know Anne, the tailor's daughter?

Yes.

What about her?

Wouldn't she be a match for Anders?

So that's why we're having coffee.

Not really.

But... wouldn't she?

I won't discuss it.

- How can you be such a... - Such a what?