The Reading Today
• Source Material: Mere Christianity
My Reflection
In today’s passage, Lewis turns his attention to the Christian concept of marriage—specifically between a man and a woman—and what it means for two people to become "one flesh." He uses the vivid imagery of a lock and key, or a violin and bow, to illustrate how two distinct entities are designed to combine into a unified whole. He emphasizes that this union is intended to encompass all aspects of life, not merely the physical.
However, Lewis goes on to describe sex outside of marriage as a "monstrosity." Viewed from the perspective of a reader in 2026, this language feels extraordinarily harsh. History shows us that traditional marriage has not always favoured women and has frequently been used to control their economic status and independence. Marriages do not always work out, and the idea that anyone should remain trapped and suffering in an unhealthy union feels, to my mind, profoundly un-Christian.
Yet, even where I disagree with his conclusions, I admire his gift for illustration. He likens the attempt to isolate physical pleasure from total commitment to:
"...trying to taste something without swallowing and digesting, by chewing things and spitting them out again."
It is a striking, tactile metaphor, even if the surrounding theology feels rigid.
As a Christian—though some might label me "lukewarm"—I have often felt alienated by the church’s historical attitudes toward gay people. While there have been genuine efforts toward greater inclusivity, traditional elements of the church still struggle to fully welcome same-sex attracted individuals. The legal recognition of equal marriage in the UK has provided vital protections and dignity, something I whole-heartedly support.
Having never married, I find myself in my sixties as what was once termed a "confirmed bachelor." While it remains a quiet regret of mine, life doesn't always turn out the way we envision, and I have found peace with where I am.
While the vast majority of Lewis’s work brings me profound comfort, wisdom, and peace, passages like today’s serve as a stark, melancholic reminder: there are moments in orthodox doctrine where I feel as though I will always be on the outside looking in.
Why This Matters
Faith is not a test of total conformity to mid-century cultural norms or rigid dogma. It is possible to treasure the deep spiritual truths in Lewis’s writing while courageously calling out where his view of humanity feels narrow or exclusionary. True grace expands outward to include everyone, rather than building walls to keep people out.
My Action for Today
Today, I will focus on cultivating self-compassion and extending quiet acceptance to others. I will remind myself that belonging to a life of faith is defined by love and grace, not by whether I fit neatly into a traditional box.
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