Tag Archives: paradiso

The Rings of Angelic Beings

Posted on July 19, 2021 by Richard Emerson

Here’s the moment when the Pilgrim looks at the source of the Divine in the Deep of Motion, and sees the nine rings of Angelic Beings: there came showers of light from all the fiery rings, like molten iron in … Continue reading →

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The First Mover, and Time

Posted on July 18, 2021 by Richard Emerson

From the moment we leave the Fixed Stars and enter into the First Mover, the poetry changes from deep theology to pure philosophy about motion, the universe, and Time. And the whole sphere is pure motion: “The parts of this, … Continue reading →

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Reflections on Paradiso

Posted on July 17, 2021 by Richard Emerson

Reading the Paradiso for the third, and now fourth time, has been a fully different experience from the first journey through the spheres up to the Empyrean. The narrative seems even less structured than in the other two books, which … Continue reading →

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Beauty in Arts, Nature, and the Mystery

Posted on July 16, 2021 by Richard Emerson

Here is the passage where Dante compares beauty in arts or in nature, with the spiritual beauty within oneself, of the Divine Mysteries: And all that art and nature can contrive to lure the eye and thus possess the mind, … Continue reading →

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Adam in Paradiso

Posted on July 16, 2021 by Richard Emerson

Here are the words from Adam to the Pilgrim in Paradiso – as to why they were metaphorically expelled from the Garden of Eden: Know now, my son, the tasting of the tree was not itself the cause of such … Continue reading →

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Aiming one’s Love

Posted on July 12, 2021 by ancientworld

In the third and final examination, conducted by St. John, the Pilgrim is asked “what is it that your Soul is set upon.” The answer is firstly; the Good. “The Good, that full contentment of this Court, is Alpha and … Continue reading →

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The Definition of Hope

Posted on July 10, 2021 by Richard Emerson

In the second examination the Pilgrim has to define “Hope”. His answer is: “Hope is sure expectancy of future bliss to be inherited – the holy fruit of the Divine’s own grace and man’s precedent worth.” He then says it … Continue reading →

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The Definition of Faith

Posted on July 10, 2021 by Richard Emerson

In the first of the three examinations for the Pilgrim in Paradiso he has to define “Faith.” His answer is: “Faith is the substance of those hoped-for things, and argument for things we have not seen.” And the reason that … Continue reading →

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Morning!

Posted on June 9, 2021 by Richard Emerson

Wednesday morning, and the latest reading of Dante’s Paradiso is slowing sinking in with great new discoveries from the very last pages. How Dante is making the point of what could be the deepest question and mystery to ponder, about … Continue reading →

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Examination by St. Peter, St. James and St. John

Posted on June 3, 2021 by Richard Emerson

In the final steps before the Empyrean, the Pilgrim needs to show a deeper understanding of the theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love – which then brings him closer to the Divine Light in the Highest Heaven. And then … Continue reading →

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