I am a HUGE C. S. Lewis fan. That man has it all. Wit, humor, wisdom, genius even, in my opinion. His books, whether they be his Narnia series, space trilogy, or nonfiction are sure to spark thoughtful reflections and at least a few laughs.
Having read that, it should be no surprise to the reader that, when I finally read it (my friend had gotten the book for me at least a year or two ago) that I loved it. It is a collection of essays dealing with diverse subjects from pacifism to education.
C. S. Lewis’s style tends to be on the unassuming side. He writes quietly with a calm, modest, yet assured quality. These essays fit in that style. The essay for which the book is named, “The Weight of Glory” is particularly unassuming yet utterly surprising. It begins with the author’s admission that the idea of glory as a reward for a faithful life had never enticed him. He voiced some of my own feelings when he pointed out that this reward is often glossed over, probably due to not fully understanding what it means. He continues to give reasons as to why it is not vain for Christians to look forward to rewards in heaven and to carry it to the conclusion of the seriousness and weight of that glory. It is not terribly difficult for us to enjoy our own rewards for our labor. However, the culminating point in his essay, the way we handle Other’s glory is of utmost importance. Your neighbor is no longer Joe Shmoe from across the street. He is either a future vessel of God’s glory or a future holy terror. We his neighbors help him to become one or the other. That is the burden that weighs so heavily. The burden of caring for each individual with the proper reverence they deserve.
