Fiddling whilst Rome burns? CS Lewis speaks into our crisis! 

“I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo. "So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” Thankyou for the chat Malcolm, your wise words, and Lewis', are soothing and inspiring.

It's not about ignoring that there is darkness, but striving to create light.

That wonderful office with it's books...it's it wine...it's wisdom...its sweet smell of pipe smoke, yay its joy, is Heaven!

Wow," more power to his elbow". Malcolm you are now, as far as I'm concerned, a National Treasure. The literature and the language you bring , is so exquisite. Thank you.📚♥️📚

Thank you for this Malcolm. I never fail to be surprised by the simplistic truth punches of Lewis. Those moments when he puts something out there that on one hand is a revelation, and on the other is something that you feel like you've known all along but were just waiting for someone to put it into the right words. Blessings my friend.

I just read this tweet by poet Ilya Kaminsky which Cynthia Haven shared on her blog Book Haven: "Me, writing to an older friend in Odessa: how can I help, please let me know, I really want to help. "He writes back: Putins come and go. If you really want to help send us some poems and essays. We are putting together a literary magazine. "And that is in the middle of a war. Imagine"

I thank your very much for your reading of C. S. Lewis. I've read it myself several times and I still need to have it knocked into my thick head! I'm trying to pursue watchmaking and wonder whether, at 71, I've not been foolish to pursue such a complex craft requiring so many skills that, in my former career, I never practiced. My wife tells me I must work to the glory of Our Lord. Please forgive me making a comment about the regrettable situation in the Ukraine. It is not as cut and dried as presented by the media. As one who was formerly involved with NATO this is at least partly due to its out living its usefulness since the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact in 1991. At that time, many of us felt that NATO should have gone away as well, as its continued existence (due largely to bureaucratic persistence) would have a destabilizing effect on Europe and its surroundings. We shouldn't forget the Bosnian War and other attempts to inject NATO into what are regional problems well outside its original charter. Part of the reason for this destabilizing effect is that NATO is perceived as a US-led military alliance that is pursuing goals of interest the United States (my country). I know the Russians view it this way.

Malcom this indeed is an insightful piece of art, reminding us how C.S. Lewis continued in his pursuit of encouragement towards others, through his creativity, in a time of great impending darkness. It is when darkness seeks to destroy, that those with access to true light, must continue with all of their being, with all their focus, to illuminate, in brighter and brighter ways, to push the darkness back, to infuse it with light. Thank you Malcolm.

Absolutely wonderful video. Listening to this sermon helped to assuage some of my anxieties over the current US election.

Thank you, Malcolm. I so appreciate your warmth and wisdom in these dark times.

Good morning Malcolm, thank you for that. You have been a welcome face over these two troubled years. It must have been disheartening for Lewis's generation, having fought in one war, 'the war to end all wars' and having to face another world war twenty years later. Ash Wednesday today, off tonight to the Cathedral. Given up pipe-smoking for Lent, that's going to be a challenge! God Bless all the innocent people in this Ukrainian conflict.

I absolutely love the format of these videos. I truly feel like I'm dropping in for a chat

I think as I listen to you of a Ukrainian friend, a sociologist, parent and candidate for Anglican priesthood for the Diocese of Europe. We talked a few days before the invasion. She was going about her work, taking her daughter to school, taking her parish in Kyiv through Ignatian spiritual exercises and helping out in the absence of a priest in lay led services. The arts of peace indeed, in the midst of impending war. I messaged her the day of the invasion. I am waiting for a reply. Thanks for the insights from CS Lewis. You do not distract us from what is happening but offer us through Lewis of how we must go on. If l may paraphrase Tolkien, as l recall speaking through Gandalf, we have no choice in what life brings us, but the test is how we respond. Prayers for A in Kyiv, prayers for all in Ukraine, prayers that we may all respond as best we can.

I've only just come across your channel and your observations and commentaries a few days ago. I've been revelling in them. In playing catch-up however I realize that, despite being overjoyed at finding what feels like a reunion with an old friend on one level, your immersion in English literature is akin to a fish in an ocean while my experience is to merely savour the sea spray from the rocky shore. You've made my week, and I look forward to hearing more of your thoughts.

it is the arts of peace for which we fight;

Beautiful Malcolm, thank you!

Thank you. Just, thank you. Now I'm off to write a poem right before I preach at church. This video will be echoing in my mind as I do this. Thank you.

Excellent. Your summary at the end about peace being what we're after to defend during wartime and not to lose sight of it reminded me of the end of Tolkien's trilogy when Sam sits down with little Elinor on his lap to relax and says after everything he's been through, "Well, I'm back."

Thank you Malcolm very wise words at this time. Bless you!

Thank you, Malcolm, for offering us this insight from Lewis and encouraging us to continue our work in the midst of crisis.

Thank you so much for this. Stumbled across it after a day of attempting to divert myself from doom scrolling, whilst looking up how to publish poetry. A very happy stumble, that I will share with other poets.

Wise and calming words from Mr. Lewis during these terrible times. Thank you for bringing those thoughts and insights to us; to contemplate.

It’s a pity not many people smoke pipes anymore. When I was a kid in the 70s it was popular. Thank you for your message.

Thank you, my friend! Just what the patient needed!

Ahhh, the irreplaceable gift of perspective! Thank you

Splendid stuff - and much needed. Thank you very much, dear sir! (One day later ...) I have just dug out that essay and read it in its entirety. Wow! I truly wish I had read it many, many decades ago. It is life-changing. Thank you so much for introducing it to us. God bless you.

Thank you Malcolm....this has been the one thing that has settled me a little this last week ....thank you.

Thank you for sharing that sir.

Wonderful chat Malcolm, such words of wisdom from cs lewis. I listened first thing on a Saturday morning, what a stimulating way to start the day.. thank you.

Thank you Sir. Perfect in so many ways.

Enjoyed this video, very fitting. Looking forward to the fishing poem. Regards Mark

I've just found your channel and I think that you are the antidote to all my current negativity just now- bless you I will pop by again .

Bravo!

Shockingly brilliant from start to finish!

One word. Excellent.

Much needed. Thank you for this. Brings to mind this excerpt from Jack Gilbert's A Brief for the Defense - "We must risk delight. We can do without pleasure, but not delight. Not enjoyment. We must have the stubbornness to accept our gladness in the ruthless furnace of this world. To make injustice the only measure of our attention is to praise the Devil. If the locomotive of the Lord runs us down, we should give thanks that the end had magnitude. We must admit there will be music despite everything."

Thank you for reminding me of the good lessons that exist. I needed a kind hand to steer me to the direction of reason today.

Thank you. I can't begin to express how much I needed to hear this.

Such needed sentiment in these times. Thank you.

Thank you

Needed this today. Thank You!!

Thank you. Australia 🙃

Many thanks, Malcolm. This was a great comfort to me and I’m sure to all us lovers of literature.

One of my fave Lewis essays, thank you for this.

So magnificently relevant.Thank you Malcolm.

Amazing Malcolm. A very fitting piece of art, for yes it is art, in a very fitting time. pip pip!

Thank you for this, very fitting and helpful to hear as all that is going on weighs heavily on our hearts

I needed to hear this. Thanks for sharing

Thank you for sharing!

This gives me a little hope and courage to live in what seems like a completely hopeless time. Hopefully we'll be caught up sooner rather than later. Hopefully I can learn to put more hope in Christ than circumstances for life in general. Thank you for these chats.

Excellent. Thanks. And yes - a few years ago it dawned on me that life has always been a struggle for Most Humans over Most of Time, Everywhere. Any lull we've experience in our developed world these past decades has been a (welcome) anomaly. I also realized that the twisted "christian" message of ultimate worldly doom and gloom ('this world is going to hell in a hand cart') was only adding to my angst and I no longer accept it as "biblical reality." INSTEAD I now choose to interpret the entire bible story as one of we humans (under God's very subtle and gentle persuasion) stumbling along towards our ultimate, and wonderful, destiny. As my brilliant daughter once pointed out to me: The Bible Story starts in a garden (with 2 people) and ends in a City (of infinite numbers all living harmoniously). Thanks for these timely reminders!

Dear Mr. Guite, while recalling the appropriate and impactful writings of Lewis, I fear you have stumbled upon a poem that you just must compose yourself. You have already titled it and indeed seem to be drawn to its magnetic grips having, like many of us, recently come to terms with family loss and the pandemic. I think the current situation deserves a contemplative and contemporary poem of its own, called Doom Scrolling. Kindest regards as always, SF.

Beautifully timed! Thank you Malcolm!

Great reading!

I needed this. thank you

God Bless you, Mr. Guite!

I’ve actually been thinking lately about how Lewis would process the state of London right now and the overall vast cultural change England has witnessed recently.

I am so glad I have discovered your channel!

Literally started reading this novel a week ago... what?? amazing

Thank you so much for the chats!!!

Malcolm, thank you for this! I believe this is proven today by the rapid spread of Christianity in Iran and China. The gospel is flourishing in spite of intense persecution. There is something inside of us that desires to rise above our circumstances. I think that thing is hope.

i recently discovered and subscribed to your channel. Thank you for posting this. It is what I needed to hear after these past several days.

Thank you for those timely words.

It reminds me of how the Israelites were commanded to sing, and that’s what took down their enemies.

Thank you so much Malcolm. I am working on very light comedic musical theatre in a community theatre troupe. How can I proceed to sing a comedic song and work on a comedic performance at such a time? I think your talk today, and your reading of CS Lewis from 1939 is helpful. I know that studying joy and laughter and love (stock in trade in most musical theatrical works) is precisely what I need to be doing now. Thank you!

War is Hell and to go bravely into it the ultimate in Courage.

Sylvia and Assia have a few things to say about old Teddy. God bless, Malcolm. Great video as always.

Let us all remember that the words of Lewis should be remembered everytime a nation decides to invade another nation for whatever political or financial reason. Lets also not forget that before Russia invaded the Ucraine, European countries invaded other countries just as well. All are wrong and terrible and all the civilian casualties in all these wars teach us that.

As cosy a vanitas as could be. Lovely.

I just read that essay recently (Douglas Murray referenced it in one of his speeches) - so great.

Beuty thank you.

"Completely unwarranted aggression"? Who shot first? Love the CS Lewis sermon though. Thanks.

I love you. ❤️💕

Thank you so much for sharing your many gifts with the world Malcom! In times of war and conflict, C.S. Lewis often reminds me that just the mere longing for the Good, the Beautiful, and the True is a way to keep it alive…even though it may seem largely absent from us at times. While I am not primarily a children’s poet, I did try to address this in a small way with my poem below, which was originally published in the online journal Fellowship & Fairydust. Cheers! I Want to Go to Narnia I want to go to Narnia Where the animals can speak. I want to meet King Aslan And the mouse named Reepicheep. I want to ride a centaur, Which truly would be wondrous! I want to cheer up Puddleglum And have tea with Mr. Tumnus. I want to go to Narnia Where the River Shribble flows. But the wardrobe in my house Is only filled with clothes.

Re-posting 'cause I accidentally deleted it while trying to fix a typo lol - don't be mad! Anyway, this vid meant a lot to me bro. Need more stuff like it these days.

Ok Wise old man I’ll be there man 😅

Totally Bated aggression by NATO 😂 The true state of the great masses of brothers was displayed on Christmas 1914.

Dont listen to the news, i forget who said it but i love this quote " if you don't listen to the news you are uninformed if you do you are misinformed.

I don’t recall the details, but this reminds me of Perikles’ poetic musings on the eve of a pivotal sea-battle: one which would determine the fate of Athens - and his own. I’m loathe to confess that I’ve never read anything by C.S. Lewis; but on hearing this, I’m already convinced that the man was a genius.

As a person from Poland - I can say our entire nation has always lived in a shadow of fear and war. We were always surrounded by superpowers, who wanted to erase us from the maps forever. But in the same time we had to live, and survive. We even got the point where we thrive. And that is something that most people from the West can't understand - our connection to heritage, our conservatism. Our roots were chopped with an axe of war so many times, it's difficult to count. But we always do what we could to save what could be saved from those roots. Even when Poland were not existing for 123 years, after invasion of Prussia, Russia, and Austria - those roots couldn't be eradicated. Understading your place in life, is understanding where do you come from, and the place you live in. What you take from it, what you give to it. It's painful to see how easily modern generation allows themselves to be disconnected from those roots, lured with promises and prospects of globalism, which I imagine is a defining point of a generation, that never known war. Never understood what is worth fighting for, and why they should fight at all. The roots. That grounding concept, which gives us the certainty of belonging. A place where we can say - it is my place, and I will not move from it. This is how a nation survives after 123 years of being erased from the maps. So I can only encourage everyone who is reading this to discover your own roots - whether it be a family, a place where you live (history, legends, culture), or ideas that are connected with the place where you live, even if they are vague, like the concept of entire western civilisation. This is what is worth fighting for.

Thank you! And thank algorithms for finding your channel I wonder what could you say about fighting (with words, of course) the ignorance from the Cristian perspective besides agreeing to disagree

Nice, keep calm and carry on reading and praying, good advice. Any support for any side in this war of imperial nations should be roundly condemned, unless one is of course a bourgeois lapdog, desperately seeking the tit of one's exploitative overlords. The only support should be for the workers of all nations beaten down by them. They are all guilty.

The EU went back on the Mynsk agreement. This war never needed to happen.

Hello Malcolm, and thanks for that :) . I was just wondering if i could ask a favour? Could you write the name of the sermon/ essay of Lewis that you were reading from? Often i would like to read more of what you read from, but miss the titles and then cannot find them in the video.

I believe there is a difference between a person fiddling in joy because Rome burns and the person fiddling for the joy of fiddling in face of pain, loss and death! The first man is a coward in my opinion, the second brave in light of loss and death! Here’s a conundrum of paradoxically cataclysmal proportions, how does the observer discern the difference without being in touch with the will behind all wills? Peace and love, William D Glass II (Billy) P.s. It’s the cliffs of insanity! Inconceivable! I don’t think that word means what you think that word means! Anybody want a peanut? Are you mocking the fact that I’m mocking the fact that your mocking the fact that I’m mocking me? …..shut up, please!

I hope Ted Hughes found some peace whilst fishing. He surely didn’t give his wife any, but it’s not for me to judge I suppose

1 Corinthians 15:32 “If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we die.”

I’d love to smoke a pipe with you sir and enjoy some conversation

Hi my name is Logan I just recently started watching your videos I love poetry and reading it is so soothing and relaxing but when it comes to writing or writing poetry it is a first for me I put a little something together I was wondering if you don't mind that you would take a look at it and see what you think this is a first for me writing poetry I love watching your videos O mighty God By Logan A. Ritter In the heavens far above Where in you sit in your golden seat of power for all eternity On top your tallest tower Above the clouds where no one shall bother For if they shall bother you show them love and kindness Still you send them away to bathe in your everlasting love and grace O mighty God what a sight that would be to live in heaven's far above We're in you sit in your golden seat of power for all eternity There's no place I would rather be in a place above the clouds on top your tallest tower Where no one shall bother for if I shall bother You show me love and kindness Still you would send me away to bathe in your everlasting love and grace O mighty God what a sight that would be to live in heaven's far above

You lost me on Ukraine.