At whatever cost

I just recently finished C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity, a wonderful work if I do say so. I think there is much to learn in how he moves about from simpler topics to more complex ones in a way that does not overtly challenge the reader. Much better than the "hammer over the head" apologetics I feel I sometimes fall into. But anyway, something to think about.

On the whole, God's love for us is a much safer subject to think about than our love for Him. Nobody can always have devout feelings: and even if we could, feelings are not what God principally cares about. Christian Love, either towards God or towards man, is an affair of the will. If we are trying to do His will we are obeying the commandment, 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God.' He will give us feelings of love if He pleases. We cannot create them for ourselves, and we must not demand them as a right. But the great thing to remember is that, though our feelings come and go, His love for us does not. It is not wearied by our sins, or our indifference; and, therefore, it is quite relentless in its determination that we shall be cured of those sins, at whatever cost to us, at whatever cost to Him.

Indeed, at whatever cost to Him. And what a cost it was, and is.

Tags: Catholic, C.S. Lewis, Love