Luther and Lewis

Christ speaks as follows: 'In My heavenly kingdom, where there really is nothing but forgiveness of sins, that is, the Christian Church, I will so do to him who pardons another man's sin.' And again: 'To him who will not show mercy to his neighbour will I also show no mercy. I am like a lord and king with regard to you, but you are all like fellow-servants among one another.'—Martin Luther, Sermon, 1524

To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of selfishness. But in that casket—safe, dark, motionless, airless—it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.—C. S. Lewis, Business of Heaven, p. 176.