The Weight of Glory

Professor Ribeiro mentioned in class that this was considered by many to be Lewis's best sermon. I certainly do not know enough to make this claim, but I can say that this is my favorite Lewis piece that we have read thus far. In this sermon, Lewis comments on longings and desires, the reward and glory of Heaven, the inconceivability of Heaven, and our attitude towards others in seeing them as eternal beings. This nine page entry features many highlight-worthy quotes. I think we were all struck first by the idea that "Our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak." But Lewis points out that we are satisfied with temporary earthly pleasures when God offers eternal joy. Next, Lewis describes what it is like for a boy who is learning Greek, and relates that experience to Christians in pursuit of Heaven. At first we obey and learn because we must, but as we learn and grow in our faith, we obey because we want to. Lewis's next point concerns the inner voice that affects us all. I think his description of this voice, this deep inner longing, our "inconsolable secret," is beautifully written and spot-on in its emotion and breadth. He moves on, discussing such things as the need to grapple with the puzzling parts of Christianity and the truth that “God is more than a Person,” and thus we cannot limit Him to our small understanding of joy and love. He then addresses what glory in Heaven we will be met with. He explains that our glory will be our ability to please God, like a child’s joy at being praised. He also says that our glory will be luminous, and “God will one say give us the Morning Star and cause us to put on the splendor of the sun.” He additionally explains that “Nature is only the image, a symbol” and that true beauty and splendor is beyond what we can comprehend. One of Lewis’s final points is the one that resonated most with me and it concerns considering our neighbors as immortal beings. Instead of seeing everyone in human terms, we are instead to see them as potential “immortal horrors or eternal splendors.” I think it is very intriguing to think of other people in these terms and to apply this sermon to our lives in the here and now. I think it will change my attitude towards those who may not always get along with, because they are so much more than the earthly configuration I see before me.