This is a translation of a scriptural meditation from the Russian book, “Day by Day”. Lewis connection follows:
Scripture: “Let us be attentive to one another, encouraging each other to love and good works” (Heb. 10, 24)
Meditation:
“One should recall these words more often, one should more clearly realize how important it is to be “attentive” to everyone. It is sometimes easier to do a good deed or render great assistance to those in need than to constantly, in the small things of daily life, to show attentiveness, to avoid conflict, to refrain from a biting comment or a word which can insult the listener. But attentiveness to those around us, even to their weaknesses and peculiarities, is also the work of love, which we don’t have the right to refuse. The spirit of love is the same, whether in great or small deeds, because the spirit of love is the spirit of God, and for God there is nothing either great or small.”
What comes to mind with Lewis in connection with “attentiveness” is how attentive, patient and courteous he was to all the people he corresponded with, despite the fact that it was a great burden to him to reply to all the letters he received.
Dimitry
“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Love will last forever.” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8)