The Weight of Glory.

The following is a section from a sermon entitled, The Weight of Glory, presented on June 8, 1942 to the Church of St. Mary the Virgin at Oxford, by well renowned author C.S. Lewis, who authored such books as Mere Christianity and The Chronicles of Narnia. In this message to the church, Lewis argues that there are no insignificant human beings, and no insignificant human encounters. That every single human being you meet will spend eternity in either suffering without hope or indescribable glory.

It may be possible for each to think too much of his own potential glory hereafter; it is hardly possible for him to think too often or too deeply about that of his neighbor. The load of weight or burden of my neighbor's glory should be laid daily on my back, a load so heavy only humility can carry it, and the backs of the proud will be broken....It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities...that we should conduct all our dealings with one, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilization - these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit - immortal horrors or everlasting splendors. 

 With that being said, should I as a Christian, "bear the weight or burden of my neighbor's glory on my back?" I don't think that Lewis regarded this entire burden to be placed on my individual shoulders. There are so many factors that come into play with a person's salvation. But if I were to ask him what he is getting at, I am pretty confident he would say he is trying to persuade the church to do the work of the ministry (  ). This should be one of the primary focus' of a Christian's thought, and motivation when gazing upon the human race; and gazing upon the Lord's glory when we are supremely focused on Him.

If you would like to download the whole sermon, you can find it HERE.