Lewis picked a theme around authenticity and the yearning
for real meaning in life. He took a
reading from J.D. Salinger’s Catcher in
the Rye and spoke aloud his insights centred on that novel. In his homily Lewis said,
“Pictures and film
of what’s “really happening” stream into our homes twenty-four hours a day. And
yet this hyper-reality ... plays into a false narrative which perpetually keeps
us sedated in an illusion of the unreal ... as we orientate ourselves in favour
or against ... narrowly defined narratives of convenience... of good versus
evil. But when we strip away these illusions of allegiance, which we so often
define ourselves by, the sheer weight of our isolated aloneness becomes all the
more apparent.”
When punctuated by the singing of “We shall not be moved”, among other things, it made for a very moving meeting and the conversation carried on over refreshments afterwards.
You can read Lewis’ whole text on his blog at his website http://www.lewisconnolly.com/blog/2015/12/6/searching-in-the-rye
