Following Aslan
Lessons from C.S. Lewis for Catholics Today
C.S. Lewis once wrote, “You can make anything by writing.” For me, his words and worlds did more than entertain—his writings shaped my moral imagination, nurtured my faith, and opened my young mind to the radical love of God! Today, as we remember Lewis’ passing in 1963, we reflect on how his works continue to illuminate the journey of faith for Catholics: inviting imagination, courage and mercy into our hearts and communities.
A Childhood Encounter with Narnia
I can still see my elementary school classroom: rows of desks, with 28 wide-eyed children, and our teacher reading aloud to us from The Chronicles of Narnia. I remember the first time I encountered Aslan, the majestic lion who sacrificed himself, only to rise again. Even as a child, I recognized something profoundly Christlike in him. I sensed that love and courage were intertwined, that mercy could be stronger than power, and that redemption was possible even after betrayal.
It was through C.S. Lewis’ works that I first learned to imagine faith as a story larger than myself—a story that encompasses struggle, wonder and the ultimate triumph of love. Lewis’ Narnia planted early seeds in me for seeing God in imagination, for recognizing the sacred in the ordinary, and for understanding that goodness often requires sacrifice.
A Seminary Encounter with Rational Faith and Spiritual Insight
Years later, as a young seminarian, I discovered Lewis’ Mere Christianity and The Screwtape Letters. In Mere Christianity, he wrote: “Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” The Screwtape Letters offered sharp insights into temptation, moral weakness, and the subtle ways evil can twist ordinary life—a guide for anyone trying to ethically live in a complex world.
These works taught me that faith engages the mind, as well as the heart. Lewis did not suggest blind adherence; he invited reasoned reflection on God, morality and human nature.
For me, these works were liberating and challenging. They challenged a young mind to honestly wrestle with Scripture, tradition and conscience, while offering liberation from fear and guilt—a balance that Catholics continue to seek today.
Scripture, Tradition, Culture and the Wisdom of C.S. Lewis
Lewis’ work resonates deeply with the Bible and Christian tradition. His portrayal of Aslan mirrors Christ’s self-giving love (Jn. 15:13), while his ethical reflections echo the prophetic call to justice, mercy and courage (Mic. 6:8). In Mere Christianity, he affirms moral law as a universal guide: “There is a Law of Human Nature, which is quite different from the laws of science.” This recognition that ethics transcend culture and convention aligns with the Church’s long tradition of natural law, yet Lewis made these truths accessible, relatable and even playful.
Lewis’ influence extends far beyond his books. The imaginative and moral lessons of Narnia resonate in The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and even The Chronicles of Prydain or “Avatar: The Last Airbender.” Modern audiences continue to respond to stories where courage, mercy and imagination illuminate the path toward justice and human flourishing. Catholics can see these narratives as contemporary parables—ways to teach, inspire and live the Gospel in culture!
Lessons for Catholics Today
Today’s celebration of C.S. Lewis brings to mind various lessons for Catholics:
Faith and reason can coexist. Lewis demonstrates that intellectual inquiry strengthens, rather than undermines, belief.
Imagination is sacred. Fantasy, myth and story can reveal truths about God, morality and human potential.
Courage is relational and redemptive. Like Aslan, moral courage often requires sacrifice for the good of others.
Engage culture with insight. Lewis modeled a faith that speaks to contemporary questions without abandoning tradition.
Love is central. Every ethical, spiritual and imaginative choice points to God’s love for the marginalized, weak and ordinary.
C.S. Lewis reminds us that faith is not only a set of doctrines; it is an imaginative, ethical and relational journey. He shows us that Christ’s love, like Aslan’s roar, calls us to courage, mercy and action. For Catholics today, his writings inspire us to embrace reason and wonder, to challenge injustice, and to cultivate communities of empathy and love. In every story we read, every question we wrestle with, and every act of courage we take, we walk alongside Aslan—and, ultimately, Christ himself!
Questions for Prayer & Reflection
How have stories, imagination or myth shaped my understanding of God and moral responsibility?
In what ways do I integrate reason and conscience into my faith journey?
How might I model to others courage, mercy and creative engagement?
Where is Christ calling me to see and act with sacrificial love today?
A Prayer Inspired by C.S. Lewis
God of wisdom and wonder,
We thank You for C.S. Lewis, who taught us that imagination can reveal Your truth, that reason can deepen faith, and that love is always sacrificial.
Open our eyes to Your presence in story, in culture, and in everyday life.
Grant us courage like Aslan’s, insight like Lewis’, and hearts attuned to justice, mercy and beauty.
May our communities reflect Your love, and may our lives be guided by Your Spirit—ever faithful, ever bold!
Through Christ, the Word made flesh, we pray.
Amen.