Paradiso, Canto 25 with Dr. Alina Beary
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- čas přidán 22. 08. 2024
- Dr. Alina Beary of Biola University introduces us to Canto 25 of Dante's Paradiso.
100 Days of Dante is brought to you by Baylor University in collaboration with the Torrey Honors College at Biola University, University of Dallas, Templeton Honors College at Eastern University, the Gonzaga-in-Florence Program and Gonzaga University, and Whitworth University, with support from the M.J. Murdock Trust. To learn more about our project, and read with us, visit 100daysofdante...
Rest in Peace with Jesus, Dr Beary!
Given that Dr. Beary now walks in Paradise herself, this brief lecture hits a lot harder:
"In Paradise, the souls no longer hope for the union with God - they enjoy it."
Listening to her discussion of Purgatorio V and, here, Paradiso XXV is - for everyone who knew her in person,, but even for those who only get to know her here - an almost too poignant (painful, poetically and spiritually fitting, etc.) memorial to her brilliant, gentle, and beautiful soul. Everlasting be her memory. Lux Aeterna.
This is a beautifully expressed reflection. I learned so much and felt encouraged and heartened on my own journey of sanctification. Thank you Dr. Beary for your kindness and your wisdom!
Bravo, Dr. Beary. I'm glad to see Torrey still has a strong professor such as yourself.
Of the most profound themes of the Commedia, Dante's loving, aching heart for Florence seems to be one of the most important. It is inescapable as the context of the poem and the themes of longing are rooted in the trials of his life. The fact of his rightly ordered hopes in Canto XXV is astounding. We have come so far and wide from the Pilgrim of fainting and pity. What an honor to be examined by the greatest Apostles, and what grace to be able to answer confidently and worthy of delight! Dante's new robes are prefigured here, and it is beautifully hopeful.
Poema Sacra
Dante does seem to believe his poem to be sacred, at least on some level. I am inclined to believe that this Commedia has a special place in all of literature. Not all written works are equal. This one is closer to God Himself (Goodness, Truth, and Beauty) than most. The transformation of the Poet is clear. What of us? I know I will never be the same after studying the Divina Commedia. The grandeur and attention to the core of life is impossible to ignore. A lot of young men today feel lost, left behind, or exiled from the modern world. We scramble for scraps of meaning left in our darkening world of material comfort and spiritual oblivion. Our culture is decadent and decomposing. We can barely even read anymore, let alone see Dante's work in its brilliance. This is a window into divine bliss, yet we are dim in our eyes and dull in our wit. Despair is always at the door waiting to enter when we beckon. What else can we grasp onto? Dante shows us a way. The Way. The Church. The Word. The Sacraments. The Sacred Tradition. The Beatific Vision. God, Three In One.
I hope for a place to rest and see clearly. I hope for work that lasts. I hope for the Home above all homes. I hope for Paradise.
❤❤❤
Canto 25: At the outset of this canto, Dante expresses his “hope” that his poem will be accepted by his fellow Florentines so that his exile will end, and he can be seen as an adult with full faith in the place where his journey of faith began as a child. As the illumination of St. Peter continues to crown him, Dante is visited by another one, St. James. The fires of Peter and James co-mingle in joy. James then takes up the second part of Dante’s disputation; this time it is an exam about Hope. Dante, once again, offers the scriptural definition: “Hope ... is the certain expectation of future glory, springing from heavenly grace and merit we have won.” In other words, the glory/award/gift of heaven has already been prepared for everyone; we now await with certainty its arrival. Hope is not a daydream but a vision of what will come. In modern metaphor: we’ve received the email that the FedEx package will be delivered; just be patient! Dante’s task is to write the email in his own poetic form! The prideful poet uses the words of Beatrice to praise him as having more hope than any other Christian and, therefore, being allowed to view heaven before his own death! Replying to James’ question on the source of his hope, Dante responds it comes primarily from the Psalms. Having passed the second part of his disputation, Dante and his companions are visited by a third illumination, St. John the Evangelist. Dante, however, is disappointed that he cannot see the ascended version of John’s body, which remains buried on earth awaiting the final resurrection. As the fiery dance of the three apostles ends, Dante turns, once again, towards Beatrice; but she is not to be seen!
Thank you Pat for your contribution and assistance on this long journey.
@@sarahflynn924 You're welcome. Thanks for the comment. I've had fun doing these summaries.
Thank you Dr. Beary for a truly inspirational presentation. Some of the points that you made caused me to sit up and take note. There is no hope in Hell nor Heaven because the souls in Hell have abandoned all hope and the hope of the souls in Purgatory is no longer needed once they reach Heaven. Hope in itself is not a virtue because it presupposes the object of our desire which could be good or bad and without hope based on faith our desire for Heaven would not be a supposition but rather a predestined fact. Hope built on faith alone is a virtue and is part of our transformation by the grace and the will of God.
Thank you, Dr Beary for the clarity, joy and wisdom you bring to hope and faith, and for the light you shine on the divine guidance that is essential to our pilgrim's journey. It is a delight to listen to your inspiring and thought-provoking insights into this Canto. I do wonder, though, about Dante's seemingly continuous pride in his poem and his place in Florence and what effect this has on his journey in Paradise.
Thank you for your presentation and increasing the readers understanding.
I loved this beautiful presentation. Thank you, Dr Beary.
Beautiful and enlightening, thank you!