This was an excellent commentary. I couldn’t help but think of our time and all of its many technological distractions when I read lines 16-18: “For when a man lets his attention range toward every wisp, he loses true direction, sapping his mind’s force with continual change.”
Dear Dr. Beary, I congratulate you on a wonderful heartfelt presentation. You filled in several blanks for me and also made some new connections. I liked it so much that I watched it twice and I plan to watch it again.
Thank you, Dr. Beary. I appreciate how you revisited previous Cantos to help put this one in perspective. This reading just gets better and better as we continue.
This was so excellent and easy to understand, and oh oh, how exquisitely beautiful!!! What Jonah said, too, of how kind our God us to those who turn to him truly!! Not just with sorrow for being caught, but knowing we truly were wrong and want to turn and be healed!!
This was a very helpful explanation of the differences of those in hell versus those in purgatory. I found Dr Beary's contrast on this topic to be very insightful. Also, the explanation of the grace afforded those who may die suddenly or without a chance for repentance deepened my understanding of why Dante wrote what he did. Thank you for a very clear, and concise summary of Canto 5.
Excellent commentary Dr. Beary. What a meaningful description of repentance - faith and humility, which is confirmed by the fact that these repentant souls don't ask for revenge, or even justice, but simply ask for prayers. Also, I have a question: I missed the webinar, Descent into Hell, which I understand was to be posted on UA-cam. I have searched for it but cannot find it. Is there a way I can access the webinar. I did register but was busy that morning and missed it.
Canto 5: The Narthex or “Before-Purgatory” has souls awaiting entrance into their redemptive suffering of purification. Dante and Virgil previously had met slow moving penitents who had a defined period of several years of waiting before they could initiate their actual purgation. Others, waiting for brief but undefined periods before they could pass through St Peter’s gate, moved rapidly, like summer lightening. Some, designated as the “unshriven,” had led Christian lives but, unfortunately, had died suddenly, under conditions which precluded their receiving the “last rites” (extreme unction) necessary for the completion of their earthly lives and commencement of their final purification before entering Paradise. They were accompanied by penitents chanting the “Miserere” Psalm: “Have mercy on me, God, ... in your abundant compassion blot out my transgressions ...” When they beheld Dante’s mortal shadow, they rushed upon him with amazement and solicited his help in reminding their living friends and relatives to pray for them so that their time of waiting might be shortened. Dante in his own prideful condition thought they were offering him their admiration as a poet. One such spirit was Buonconte, who had been assassinated, but his body was washed away by a flood and buried in mud, without a final blessing and absolution. He desired that his wife, Giovanna, be reminded to pray for the repose of his soul. Once again, the prayers of the living are requested to assist the souls in Purgatory.
"Dr. Alina Beary, professor of Torrey Honors College at Biola University, died after a tragic pedestrian-vehicle accident, university leaders announced Thursday, August 31, 2023... Beary is survived by her husband and young twin daughters." RIP
In a cruel twist of fate, Dr. Beary was killed when she was struck by a vehicle (August 2023). Ironic that in this very presentation, the good Dr. discussed those in Purgatorio whom had died suddenly and unexpectedly. :(
Beautiful straightforward commentary! Thank you! It was a soothing start to my day to hear the lovely Psalm read as well.
This was an excellent commentary. I couldn’t help but think of our time and all of its many technological distractions when I read lines 16-18: “For when a man lets his attention range toward every wisp, he loses true direction, sapping his mind’s force with continual change.”
How precious is that one tear of repentance. Thank you for this clear and beautiful commentary!
Dear Dr. Beary,
I congratulate you on a wonderful heartfelt presentation. You filled in several blanks for me and also made some new connections. I liked it so much that I watched it twice and I plan to watch it again.
Thank you, Dr. Beary. I appreciate how you revisited previous Cantos to help put this one in perspective. This reading just gets better and better as we continue.
The best presentation so far! Thank you!
Beautiful! Praise God for his gift of Repentance! Thank you, Dr Berry!
This was so excellent and easy to understand, and oh oh, how exquisitely beautiful!!! What Jonah said, too, of how kind our God us to those who turn to him truly!! Not just with sorrow for being caught, but knowing we truly were wrong and want to turn and be healed!!
I love this canto and this summary. Thank you Dr. Beary!
My favorite so far.
This reflection nearly moved me to tears. Thank you for unpacking the powerful call to repentance, faith, & humility embedded in this canto.
Excellent discussion and very movingly stated. It’s one of those that when finished I want to rewind and watch it again.
Wow - terrific commentary Dr. Beary. Thank you very much - Astounding how important one "forgive me" can be. So many lessons for us here, today.
Thank you Dr. Beary. Your summary was very insightful, in such a practical manner that it really resonates. Very moving and thought provoking.
This was a very helpful explanation of the differences of those in hell versus those in purgatory. I found Dr Beary's contrast on this topic to be very insightful. Also, the explanation of the grace afforded those who may die suddenly or without a chance for repentance deepened my understanding of why Dante wrote what he did. Thank you for a very clear, and concise summary of Canto 5.
Excellent commentary Dr. Beary. What a meaningful description of repentance - faith and humility, which is confirmed by the fact that these repentant souls don't ask for revenge, or even justice, but simply ask for prayers. Also, I have a question: I missed the webinar, Descent into Hell, which I understand was to be posted on UA-cam. I have searched for it but cannot find it. Is there a way I can access the webinar. I did register but was busy that morning and missed it.
Excellent. Clear, concise, and powerful.
Beautiful explanation!
Excellent commentary.
A very beautiful and enlightening presentation. I loved it.
Thank you Dr. Alina.
So beautiful and powerful - thank you!
Canto 5: The Narthex or “Before-Purgatory” has souls awaiting entrance into their redemptive suffering of purification. Dante and Virgil previously had met slow moving penitents who had a defined period of several years of waiting before they could initiate their actual purgation. Others, waiting for brief but undefined periods before they could pass through St Peter’s gate, moved rapidly, like summer lightening. Some, designated as the “unshriven,” had led Christian lives but, unfortunately, had died suddenly, under conditions which precluded their receiving the “last rites” (extreme unction) necessary for the completion of their earthly lives and commencement of their final purification before entering Paradise. They were accompanied by penitents chanting the “Miserere” Psalm: “Have mercy on me, God, ... in your abundant compassion blot out my transgressions ...” When they beheld Dante’s mortal shadow, they rushed upon him with amazement and solicited his help in reminding their living friends and relatives to pray for them so that their time of waiting might be shortened. Dante in his own prideful condition thought they were offering him their admiration as a poet. One such spirit was Buonconte, who had been assassinated, but his body was washed away by a flood and buried in mud, without a final blessing and absolution. He desired that his wife, Giovanna, be reminded to pray for the repose of his soul. Once again, the prayers of the living are requested to assist the souls in Purgatory.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
"Dr. Alina Beary, professor of Torrey Honors College at Biola University, died after a tragic pedestrian-vehicle accident, university leaders announced Thursday, August 31, 2023... Beary is survived by her husband and young twin daughters."
RIP
ah....'she submits herself to God's judgement'...so clear for the first time...breaks the soul wide open.. thanks.
In a cruel twist of fate, Dr. Beary was killed when she was struck by a vehicle (August 2023). Ironic that in this very presentation, the good Dr. discussed those in Purgatorio whom had died suddenly and unexpectedly. :(