Not one, but two Jacks died on November 22, 1963. The assassination of the first, John F. (“Jack”) Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States, made international headlines, and still frequently does. The death of the other, C. S. (“Jack”) Lewis, an unpretentious Oxford don, went almost unnoticed. And yet, 60 years later he is considered one of the most influential spiritual thinkers of all time. Outside of their dying on the same date (and being of Northern Irish heritage), there is little to connect them.
Yet each marked a turning point in my life.
I was 13 when Jack Kennedy was shot, a dreamy kid who paid little attention to the world around me. I hadn’t needed to. Everything would be fine. People were good. Life was good. And then the unthinkable happened: a man full of inexplicable rage had murdered the president. And the clean, orderly world was suddenly full of blood and chaos. Coach Sebo told us at the start of P.E., and then cancelled all activity. A few of us silently followed him into the gym and watched as the normally stoic man sat sobbing at his desk. And then we cried. Because if Coach Sebo was crying something must be permanently broken. A short time later I discarded all remaining shreds of belief and announced that I was an atheist.
But 13 years later (what is it about that number), the other Jack invaded my life. My backwards pilgrimage to faith—a faith based in reality, rather than guileless, boyish 
longing—had led me to doubt my doubts, and finally to leap toward the God who was there when I was born and would be there when I died. The moment I landed, I found (via his essays and stories) my spiritual father waiting in the wings. Jack Lewis’ own journey half a century before became a roadmap that guided me, his witty, greathearted spirit a fire that warmed me–and still does.
So every year on this date I celebrate a double anniversary: one that marks my awakening to the darkness enshrouding our world, and one that marks my embracing of the light that shatters that darkness.
I have no doubt they both rest in joyful peace.
Ditto
A silver lining, even in death. Or, when the world shuts a door, God opens a window. 🌷
I was in grade school when JFK was killed, I remember that we kids were sent home mid-day by a teacher in tears, The next day my dad took me across the road from our house to a hill where we sat in silence, except for him crying, the first time I’d seen my daddy cry, I didn’t know what to do or say. How many millions of people were crying that day . . .
I did not know that CS Lewis died the same day…I wonder what that was like, the two Jacks arriving in heaven at the same time…
A good anniversary to celebrate. To God be the glory! Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
1 John 4:4
Hi Mitch,
Talk time to remember them both. These are important moments.
Thanks, Gary
What a powerful story, you are such a great writer!
Thank you so much, Johan.
Beautiful!
The Kennedy assassination was such a tragic event, it caused worldwide sadness. I’m glad discovering Jack Lewis ignited your faith. 🙂
Wonderful closing lines 👌
I was in the fourth grade. Some things you don’t and shouldn’t forget. I did not come across C.S. Lewis until many, many years later, but his writings and life never fail to inspire.
Both wonderful inspirations
Quite an important moment in history.
Embrace the light Mitch!, 💐
Great testimony, Mitch, embracing the light that shatters the darkness. Completely shatters it!
Love the way you weave circumstances together into an insightful story. I’m still reading Surprised by Joy. I am going slowly to stop and savor.
🙌
Both of these men influenced my life as well. I knew they died the same day, but I didn’t link the “Jack” nickname in my mind. Until now :).
This is so good – “So every year on this date I celebrate a double anniversary: one that marks my awakening to the darkness enshrouding our world, and one that marks my embracing of the light that shatters that darkness.”