100 Days of Dante

Dr. Alina Beary guides us through Dante's conversation with St. James about hope. If we have journeyed with Dante, we too should have a newly trained hope rooted in unity with God. In Paradise, no more hope is needed, for the soul gets exactly what it wants: God himself.

Dr. Kathryn Smith guides us through St. Peter's test of Dante. Dante adequately answers whether faith exists, what it is, and what its qualities are. If we have followed Dante through this journey and affirm the church's creeds, Dante implies that we too can pass this test.

Moving into the 8th sphere, Dr. Alessandro Andreini discusses the contradiction of man who is capable of blessedness yet sorrowful in their broken condition. The starry firmament is the space where man and God meet, and the body of Christ bridges the gap between Heaven and earth.

Still in Saturn, Dr. Kathy Storm reminds us that all justice comes from love. As Saint Benedict and the other contemplatives mourn the corruption of the church, Dante realizes the insignificance of worldly things in comparison to God. We are called to fix our gaze on the eternal.

Dr. Greg Peters introduces us to Peter Damian, a monk who reformed monastic orders. The ideal contemplative monks use things of the world to think about God, ascending Jacob's ladder into Heaven. This is also how Dante should use Beatrice: as a creation pointing to the Creator.

In the sphere of Jupiter, Dr. Josh Gibbs explains the presence of two pagans: Rhipeus and Trajan. Although their salvation stories are from Dante's imagination, he is in line with tradition. In his mercy, God goes to extreme lengths to save men, giving us hope for any soul.

Dr. Jessica Hooten Wilson explains the metaphor of the eagle. As Christ looks directly at God, so does the eagle stare into the sun. When we are perfected in Christ, we too will see the brighter version of reality that shows true justice where the limited eye perceives injustice.

In this canto, Dr. Jane Kim explains the dual passions of the exiled person who both points out the faults in their homeland and longs for it greatly. Dante, in the realm of just souls, laments papal corruption in his homeland and longs for restoration to the just ways of God.

Still in Mars, Dr. Susan Felch implores us, alongside Cacciaguida, to tell the truth. Dante, in his poetic vocation, is called to express the vision he has seen to the world, even if it will offend some of his contemporaries. Sometimes, a bitter medicine is required to heal us.

Dr. Jonathan Reimer explains our continued conversation with Cacciaguida, who mourns the political division in Florence. After meeting many characters affected by this, we finally learn the origin story of hateful revenge that begot the conflict between the Guelf and Ghibellines.

Now in the sphere of Mars, Dr. Melissa Schubert introduces us to Cacciaguida, the ancestor of Dante who died fighting in the Crusades. Schubert explains that we must die to earthly goods in order to enjoy them perfectly in Paradise.

Dr. Isaac Blois walks us through Dante's conversation with King Solomon. We learn that there will be growth of grace, vision, love, and luminance in Heaven as we taste and see that the Lord is good. Heaven is not a place of stagnation.

Dr. Tom Ward guides us through Aquinas' explanation of the wisdom of Solomon versus Adam and Jesus. Whereas Solomon and most humans are made by God through secondary causes, Adam and Jesus were made by God directly and received the full range of human abilities from their source.

Dr. Paul Contino introduces us to Bonaventure, who gives us the biography of St. Dominic. Paired with the previous canto, we learn of the beautiful diversity of talents and callings in the Body of Christ. Dominic preached against heresy, strengthening the faith of many believers.

Fr. Francisco Nahoe explains St. Thomas Aquinas' biography of St. Francis, who helped rebuild the collapsing church with St. Dominic, who will be discussed in the next canto. Francis sought to imitate Christ in all things, renewing the love of Christ and for Christ in the world.

In Canto 10, we transition to the Sun with Dr. Jason Houston as our guide. Here, the great philosophers and theologians are portrayed as dancing women. Houston explains that Dante uses this imagery to reconcile knowledge and desire as things which move together to Divine rhythms.

Still in Venus, Dr. Miner introduces us to two unexpected inhabitants of Paradise: Cunizza and Folco, both of whom had lives of sexual misconduct. Rahab explains that their love has been redeemed and purified. True adultery is the corruption of bad shepherds in the church.

As we rise to Venus, Dr. Patrick Burke explains to us that ascent is powered by eros. Dante yearns for Beatrice as she grows brighter. But, as he looks up, he also yearns beyond her to the higher beauty that is God.

Dr. Adam Johnson leads us through the rich theological conversation between Dante and Beatrice regarding the justice of Jesus' incarnation and crucifixion. Dante expands upon Augustine's and Anselm's theories by characterizing the incarnation as both pardon and satisfaction.

In the sphere of Mercury, Dr. Scott Moore introduces us to Justinian the Great, one of the souls who sought fame at the expense of justice. Justinian retells the history of Rome through a theological lens, explaining that a deficiency in justice is really a deficiency in love.