The Last Battle #9 (“A Good Night’s Work”)

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Epistle

Dear fellow pilgrims,

Happy Thanksgiving to you all! Because of the holiday, we will not have class tonight but will pick up again next Wednesday, November 29, at the usual time and place.  I have pasted in below links from last week’s class and a summary of what we discussed, as well as copies of the handouts.  

Today is the 60th anniversary of C.S. Lewis’s death on November 22, 1963, and it is the day that he is commemorated in the Church of England calendar. Here is the Collect written to give thanks for his life and ministry:

O God of searing truth and surpassing beauty, we give you thanks for Clive Staples Lewis, whose sanctified imagination lit fires of faith in young and old alike. Surprise us also with your joy and draw us into that new and abundant life which is ours in Christ Jesus, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. 

Here is a link to part of the ceremony at Westminster Abbey ten years ago where a stone honoring Lewis was laid in Poets’ Corner on the 50th anniversary of his death. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQdKUEel-Uk  A choral setting of Lewis’s poem “Love’s as Warm as Tears” was commissioned for the ceremony, and here is a link to a choral group from Westminster Choir College singing it (lyrics are also included in the link if you scroll down). 

Many blessings to you and your family as you celebrate Thanksgiving, and I look forward to seeing you next week!

Further up and further in,

Brian+The Rev’d Brian K. McGreevy, J.D.Assistant to the RectorSt. Philip’s Church142 Church StreetCharleston, SC 29401www.saintphilips.church

Supporting Files

SUMMARY OF LAST WEEK’S TEACHINGChapter 6: A Good Night’s Work

—Tirian, favorably impressed with Eustace and Jill’s skills at archery and swordfighting, wears them out and ensures they get a good sleep before setting out on their quest
–Waking early, they agree that the very first thing they must do is rescue Jewel the Unicorn
–Making Jill the pathfinder, they soon reach Stable Hill and begin to execute Tirian’s plan
–Having rescued Jewel, Tirian rejoins Eustace, but Jill has disappeared
–Jill soon reappears, having with her Puzzle the Donkey (the fake Aslan), whom she has taken from the stable, and implores Tirian to spare him because he was manipulated by the Ape

Themes in Chapter 6

Taking care of those in your charge
Honestly assessing the gifts of those in your fellowship
Making a priority of aiding your friends
Let gifts and skills rather than stereotypes dictate roles in the quest
Planning wisely, allowing for both success and failure
Standing up for Truth
Laughter and good news make the soul glad

Taking care of those in your charge

“About four hours later Tirian flung himself into one of the bunks to snatch a little sleep. The two children were already snoring: he had made them go to bed before he did because they would have to be up most of the night and he knew that at their age they couldn’t do without sleep. Also, he had tired them out… If we are challenged, then do you two hold your peace and I will do my best to talk like a curst, cruel, proud lord of Calormen. If I draw my sword then thou, Eustace, must do likewise and let Jill leap behind us and stand with an arrow on the string. But if I cry ‘Home,’ then fly for the Tower both of you. And let none try to fight on — not even one stroke — after I have given the retreat: such false valour has spoiled many notable plans in the wars. And now friends, in the name of Aslan let us go forward.”

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Col. 3:12 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. Romans 15:1-2 Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble Psalm 41:1 See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. Matt. 18:10 Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. Psalm 82:4
Honestly assessing the gifts of those in your fellowship

“[Tirian] had given Jill some practice in archery and found that, though not up to Narnian standards, she was really not too bad. Indeed she had succeeded in shooting a rabbit… and it was already skinned, cleaned, and hanging up. He had found that both the children knew all about this chilly and smelly job; they had learned that kind of thing on their great journey through GiantLand in the days of Prince Rilian. Then he had tried to teach Eustace how to use his sword and shield. Eustace had learned quite a lot about sword fighting on his earlier adventures but that had been all with a straight Narnian sword. He had never handled a curved Calormene scimitar and that made it hard, for many of the strokes are quite different and some of the habits he had learned with the long sword had now to be unlearned again. But Tirian found that he had a good eye and was very quick on his feet. He was surprised at the strength of both the children… it was hard to pick up their bearings. It was Jill who set them right again… she knew her Narnian stars perfectly, having travelled so much in the wild Northern Lands, and could work out the direction from other stars even when the Spear-Head was hidden. As soon as Tirian saw that she was the best pathfinder of the three of them he put her in front. And then he was astonished to find how silently and almost invisibly she glided on before them.”
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them Romans 12:3-6
Making a priority of aiding your friends

“All three of them agreed that the very first thing they must do was to go back to Stable Hill and try to rescue Jewel the Unicorn. After that, if they succeeded, they would try to get away Eastward and meet the little army which Roonwit the Centaur would be bringing from Cair Paravel.”

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 13:15 Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family, and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you—better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away. Proverbs 27:10 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24
Let gifts and skills rather than stereotypes dictate roles in the quest

“It was Jill who set them right again: she had been an excellent Guide in England. And of course she knew her Narnian stars perfectly, having travelled so much in the wild Northern Lands, and could work out the direction from other stars even when the Spear-Head was hidden. As soon as 37 The Last Battle Tirian saw that she was the best pathfinder of the three of them he put her in front. And then he was astonished to find how silently and almost invisibly she glided on before them. “By the Mane!” he whispered to Eustace. “This girl is a wondrous wood-maid. If she had Dryad’s blood in her she could scarce do it better.”

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.  I Peter 4:10-11 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.  If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” I Cor. 12:4-7, 18-21 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. I Timothy 4:12
Let gifts and skills rather than stereotypes dictate roles in the quest: Deeper Dive

Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. Acts 13:1-3

Barnabas—a Levite from Cyprus (”from Off”), had property that he sold and gave money to the young church
Simeon called Niger—a black African Gentile convert
Manaen—aristocratic member of Herod’s household, lifelong friend of Herod
Saul—the Pharisee and Roman citizen now following Jesus
The world turned upside down—an impossible community united by Jesus without prejudice, because their IDENTITY is in Christ:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  Gal. 3:25-28
Let gifts and skills rather than stereotypes dictate roles in the quest: Deeper Dive (continued)
Lewis and unlikely heroes in Narnia: King Frank (the cabbie), Reepicheep the warrior mouse, Lucy (the real leader), Jill Pole, Puddleglum

“I didn’t mean to mean to start slanging the others. But it wasn’t my fault anyway, was it?”The Lion looked straight into her eyes. “Oh, Aslan,” said Lucy. “You don’t mean it was? How could I–I couldn’t have left the others and come up to you alone, how could I? Don’t look at me like that… oh well, I suppose I could. Yes, and it wouldn’t have been alone, I know, not if I was with you. But what would have been the good?”Aslan said nothing.“You mean,” said Lucy rather faintly, “that it would have turned out all right–somehow? But how? Please, Aslan! Am I not to know?”“To know what would have happened, child?” said Aslan. “No. Nobody is ever told that.”
“Oh dear,” said Lucy.“But anyone can find out what will happen,” said Aslan. “If you go back to the others now, and wake them up; and tell them you have seen me again; and that you must all get up at once and follow me–what will happen? There is only one way of finding out.” “Do you mean that is what you want me to do?” gasped Lucy.
“Yes, little one,” said Aslan.“Will the others see you too?” asked Lucy.“Certainly not at first,” said Aslan. “Later on, it depends.”“But they won’t believe me!” said Lucy. “It doesn’t matter,” said Aslan.
{So Lucy went back and woke the others and told them they must follow her and Aslan but they did not believe her. After a long argument, Lucy looked up to see Aslan, whom none of the others could see. She saw that he was beating his paw on the ground in impatience.} “We must go now. At least I must,” said Lucy.“You’ve no right to try to force the rest of us like that. It’s four to one and you’re the youngest,” Susan said.Puddleglum the Marshwiggle’s Speech in The Silver Chair

“One word, Ma’am,” he said, coming back from the fire; limping, because of the pain. “One word. All you’ve been saying is quite right, I shouldn’t wonder. I’m a chap who always liked to know the worst and then put the best face I can on it. So I won’t deny any of what you said. But there’s one more thing to be said, even so. Suppose we have only dreamed, or made up, all those things-trees and grass and sun and moon and stars and Aslan himself. Suppose we have. Then all I can say is that, in that case, the made-up things seem a good deal more important than the real ones. Suppose this black pit of a kingdom of yours is the only world. Well, it strikes me as a pretty poor one. And that’s a funny thing, when you come to think of it. We’re just babies making up a game, if you’re right. But four babies playing a game can make a play-world which licks your real world hollow. That’s why I’m going to stand by the play world. I’m on Aslan’s side even if there isn’t any Aslan to lead it. I’m going to live as like a Narnian as I can even if there isn’t any Narnia. So, thanking you kindly for our supper, if these two gentlemen and the young lady are ready, we’re leaving your court at once and setting out in the dark to spend our lives looking for Overland. Not that our lives will be very long, I should think; but that’s a small loss if the world’s as dull a place as you say.”

Planning wisely, allowing for both success and failure

“If we are challenged, then do you two hold your peace and I will do my best to talk like a curst, cruel, proud lord of Calormen. If I draw my sword then thou, Eustace, must do likewise and let Jill leap behind us and stand with an arrow on the string. But if I cry ‘Home,’ then fly for the Tower both of you. And let none try to fight on — not even one stroke — after I have given the retreat: such false valour has spoiled many notable plans in the wars…Wait here till I come again,” he whispered to the other two. “If I miscarry, fly.” Then he sauntered out boldly in full view of the enemy.”

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. Prov. 16:3 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ Lk. 14:28-30 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Daniel 3:17-18  Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. Acts 16:6-10
Standing up for Truth

“Next minute there was a sound of rasping metal. “What are you doing, Sire?” asked Jewel sharply. “Drawing my sword to smite off the head of the accursed Ass,” said Tirian in a terrible voice. “Stand clear, girl.” “Oh don’t, please don’t,” said Jill. “Really, you mustn’t. It wasn’t his fault. It was all the Ape. He didn’t know any better. And he’s very sorry. He’s a nice donkey. His name’s Puzzle. And I’ve got my arms round his neck.” “Jill,” said Tirian, “you are the bravest and most woodwise of all my subjects, but also the most malapert and disobedient. Well: let the Ass live. What have you to say for yourself, Ass?”

Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, Luke 17:3 For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Tim. 1:7 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ. Eph. 4:15 So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. James 4:17 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” Luke 19:37-40 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. I Timothy 5:20

Laughter and good news make the soul glad

“Sire,” said Jewel. “Those Dwarfs are coming nearer and nearer. Do we want to meet them?” Tirian thought for a moment and then suddenly gave a great laugh out loud. Then he spoke, not this time in a whisper. “By the Lion,” he said, “I am growing slow-witted! Meet them? Certainly we will meet them. We will meet anyone now. We have this Ass to show them. Let them see the thing they have feared and bowed to. We can show them the truth of the Ape’s vile plot. His secret’s out. The tide’s turned. Tomorrow we shall hang that Ape on the highest tree in Narnia. No more whispering and skulking and disguises. Where are these honest Dwarfs? We have good news for them.” When you have been whispering for hours the mere sound of anyone talking out loud has a wonderfully stirring effect. The whole party began talking and laughing: even Puzzle lifted up his head and gave a grand Haw-hee-haw-hee-hee; a thing the Ape hadn’t allowed him to do for days.”

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones Proverbs 17:22 But the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming. Proverbs 37:13 He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. Job 8:21 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” Psalm 126:2

“But in this world everything is upside down. That which, if it could be prolonged here, would be a truancy, is likest that which in a better country is the End of ends. Joy is the serious business of Heaven.”—C.S. Lewis, Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer

Here is a link to part of the ceremony at Westminster Abbey ten years ago where a stone honoring Lewis was laid in Poets’ Corner on the 50th anniversary of his death. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQdKUEel-Uk  A choral setting of Lewis’s poem “Love’s as Warm as Tears” was commissioned for the ceremony, and here is a link to a choral group from Westminster Choir College singing it (lyrics are also included in the link if you scroll down). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOHlrgCizJI