The Dragon and the Apostle

2

Because of pride. You were already becoming convinced that you, by yourself, were equal to anything. He left you for a moment, and you fell headlong. Be humble and his extraordinary aid will not fail you.

- Josemaría Escrivá

3

Eustace (unlike most boys) had never thought much of treasure but he saw at once the use it would be in this new world which he had so foolishly stumbled into through the picture in Lucy’s bedroom at home.

- C S Lewis, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

4

Draw a monster. The monster may be a chronic sin or personal problem.

5

For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

- 2 Corinthians 5:4-5, NIV

6

For all your learning, for all your fame, your eloquence and power, if you are not humble, you are worth nothing. Cut out, root out that self-complacency which dominates you so completely. God will help you — and then you will be able to begin working for Christ, in the lowest place in his army of apostles.

- Josemaría Escrivá

7

For it was very dreary being a dragon. ... He was almost afraid to be alone with himself and yet he was ashamed to be with the others. On the evenings when he was not being used as a hot-water bottle he would slink away from the camp and lie curled up like a snake between the wood and the water.

- C S Lewis, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

8

Write out a “groan” - a word or more that describes how you feel about living with the monster.

9

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?

- Romans 8:22-25, NIV

10

Persevere in the exact fulfilment of the obligations of the moment. That work — humble, monotonous, small — is prayer expressed in action that prepares you to receive the grace of the other work — great and wide and deep — of which you dream.

- Josemaría Escrivá

11

It was, however, clear to everyone that Eustace’s character had been rather improved by becoming a dragon. He was anxious to help. ... The pleasure (quite new to him) of being liked and, still more, of liking other people, was what kept Eustace from despair.

- C S Lewis, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

12

Was the monster once something good? What if the monster could use its powers to help others? Draw or write it.

13

Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?

- Ezekiel 18:23, NIV

14

In the deep pit opened by your humility, let penance bury your negligences, offences and sins. Just as the gardener buries rotten fruit, dried twigs and fallen leaves at the foot of the very trees which produced them. And so what was useless, what was even harmful, can make a real contribution to a new fruitfulness.

From the falls learn to draw strength: from death, life.

- Josemaría Escrivá

15

The very first tear he made was so deep that I thought it had gone right into my heart. And when he began pulling the skin off, it hurt worse than anything I’ve ever felt. The only thing that made me able to bear it was just the pleasure of feeling the stuff peel off.

- C S Lewis, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

16

Draw or describe a balm - something that feels relieving or curative.

17

I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

- Ezekiel 36:25-27, NIV

18

Love and sorrow. Because he is good. Because he is your friend, who gave his life for you. Because every good thing you have is his. Because you have offended him so much... Because he has forgiven you... He!... you!

- Josemaría Escrivá

19

“I think you’ve seen Aslan,” said Edmund.

“Aslan!” said Eustace. “I’ve heard that name mentioned several times since we joined the Dawn Treader. And I felt - I don’t know what - I hated it. But I was hating everything then. And by the way, I’d like to apologize. I’m afraid I’ve been pretty beastly.”

- C S Lewis, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

20

Draw your monster’s reaction to the balm. Maybe it is scared, magically changed or killed.

21

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

- 2 Corinthians 5:17-19, NIV