In this installment, we continue ascending with Beatrice and Dante through his "Paradiso." At the outset we find ourselves upon the Sun, encountering two 13th-century theological masters: Thomas Aquinas and Bonaventure.
Interestingly they each courteously sing the praise of the other's spiritual father. Thomas the Dominican celebrates Francis of Assisi, while Bonaventure the Franciscan lauds Dominic.
Within these odes of praise, we encounter deep theological truths about the human person and the person before God. Not only this, but we consider the vigilance needed to preserve the Church's purity of mission and her ability to fulfill it.
Next we witness the joyous anticipation of the souls of the blessed as they but hear mention of being reunited with their bodies at the resurrection of the dead. With this we consider the essential nature of our embodiment and why we shouldn't conceive of heaven as some ethereal abode intended for disincarnate human spirits.
Rather, we can rejoice with the souls of Paradise at the thought of our embodiment, the Incarnation, and the firm hope in our own eventual resurrection.
This is our second of three installments on Dante's "Paradiso."
My companion for this trip is Paul Camacho, who is Associate Director of the Augustinian Institute and Assistant Teaching Professor in the Augustine and Culture Seminar at Villanova University. He also writes a weekly newsletter, "Will This Be On the Exam?" which is well worth the read.
Links:
- The Paradiso by Dante, a verse translation by Jean Hollander and Robert Hollander
- The Digital Dante from Columbia University
- Lenten Dante Series, No. 1
- Lenten Dante Series, No. 2
- Lenten Dante Series, No. 3
- Lenten Dante Series, No. 4
- Lenten Dante Series, No. 5
- Lenten Dante Series, No. 6
- Lenten Dante Series, No. 7
- www.paulcamacho.com
- "Will This Be On the Exam?"
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit curiouscatholicpodcast.substack.com
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