Infernal Fun

Last night’s seminar on the Inferno was a lot of fun. Coming out of it, I think the most inspiring moment was when we began talking about love. Someone had asked what made Dante able to travel through all the regions of the underworld. It was posited that he was able to see all because he was guilty of all, and his soul was given access to those areas. While it may be true that he was, only when we began talking about love did it seem to make sense. It was love that prompted Beatrice to send Virgil to rescue him and take him on the road through Hell to Purgatory. And what is Virgil but a guardian angel of sorts? It seems as though the Love that guided him through the underworld was great enough to endure the most perilous and terrible depths. I scribbled down, in the middle of the conversation, “The greatest love does not keep us from all experience, but it is our protection and guide through the darkest places.” God did not send an angel to destroy the leopard, lion, and she-wolf that blocked his path; instead he sent a guide to lead Dante through the most perilous road and teach him the way he must walk. Love leads and love teaches.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4 ESV)

Good stuff. Purgatorio is next.