Waste, Shame and Dante’s Legacy of Hope

Last updated on: April 4, 2017 at 11:32 am by Fr. Dwight Longenecker

Waste, Shame and Dante’s Legacy of Hope 2017-04-04T11:32:56-05:00 Fr. Dwight Longenecker

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Dante Alighieri

In re-reading Dante for Lent I am reminded of the legacy of waste and shame he communicates in his vision of hell.

The damned experience the frustration of the waste and shame of their lives. This is terrible enough, but more terrible is the fact that while they have regrets they do not have remorse.

The experience of waste and shame when we see our sin as it really is may plunge us into feelings of guilt, but those feelings of guilt, waste and shame should not be confused for genuine and perfect contrition.

The church calls “imperfect contrition” the remorse we experience as a result of shame, guilt or fear of punishment.

What is required is perfect contrition–which is the remorse at having offended God, and I would add, the remorse at failing to become the saint God designed us to be.

If this is the case, then perfect contrition carries within it a kernel of joy as well as sadness. I am sorry that I have not become the radiant being of light and grace that God created me to be, but I can glimpse that promise just a little, and that possibility spurs me on with joy to be rid of my sin and continue the long journey home.

This is why, after his harrowing journey through Hell Dante comes through the other side and the first thing he glimpses are the stars.

After slogging through the sewers, he began gazing at the stars.

This is why, when reading Dante, one should never stop at the end of the Inferno. Plod on and do the hard work of reading Purgatorio and Paradiso, for then the waste and shame of hell are gradually transformed into our final destiny of light.

This is why Dante’s masterpiece is such a “sacramental” work–because as you read it you move through a sanctifying action and, if your heart and mind are open–receive a measure of sanctifying grace.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

April 3, 2017

Protestantism and Pop Psychology

Next Post

April 4, 2017 Can a Catholic Support Trump's Wall?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Anglican Matters Apologetics Architecture Blobble Study Book Reviews Brideshead Caitlin O'Rourke Catholic Art Catholic Culture Church Politics Chust for Nice Contemporary Culture Duane Mandible Ed Blanch Film Reviews Fr Harvey Nicolaitan Frank Viola Mantilla the Hon More Christianity Mrs Brady Catholic Old Lady Mystery of the Magi Norman Anderson Queen Hillary Saints and Supernatural Spirituality The Inklings The Vicar Theology Todd Unctuous Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz