I am climbing the path round and round the mountain known as purgatory with Dante, encountering the different results of sins along the way, passing through each one and coming out the other side, to remove the 'P' from Dante's forehead (or “peccatum”, Latin for sin or wound. Seven 'P's are placed on his forehead at the start of the journey upon reaching the gate). He begins to feel lighter as he becomes more and more who he was made to be. His true self is coming through as he spirals up and in, closer to the centre of the love of God. This is the most loved and least quoted book of Dante's Divine Comedy, and I am quickly seeing why, as it is becoming my favourite as well.
This morn I left the abodes of misery
And still in my first life I journey thus,
Though journeying thus I gain the life to be.
- Canto VIII, Purgatory
Oh, the lifting of spirits feels close to my own as he rises up and away from those haunting sins that hold people in a gross embrace. He sees those trapped in it, until they choose for themselves to break out and away from the sin that entraps them, causing delay in their journey.
The guiding light leads Dante onwards, and when he lets his guide and Love lead him thus, he reaches new heights of easier load and faster feet.
Trusting more and more of the journey to God and His goodness represents itself along the way through angels and gatekeepers; he takes the route up and as a result of his trust, and he grows less and less worried and weary.
Dante grows himself, deeper and more aware of the road and the perils of sins, but also the beauty of what God has created for us creatures who fall so low into pits. He sees that he is -
Safe on the flower-bright summit of the hill,
And further on, Dante has noticed that he feels lighter. An angel had brushed his forehead with his wings and a 'P' was removed. Dante asks Virgil how is it that he feels a lighter load, as something heavy has slipped away from him.
Virgil explains that a 'P' has been removed rubbed clean, and that shall continue as they move through it all and -
Then shall good-will so over-rule thy feet,
That they will climb, and not be merely strong
And uncomplaining, but delight in it.
- Canto XII, Purgatory
Can we possibly delight in the journey? The burden starts heavy, but as we get through it (it must be passed through), and come out, our lightened load gives us the encouragement to continue with a new sense of rigor. I take this to heart as I muse that perhaps some of this happens now. In this life journey we all have these intense trials to overcome, sins to battle and break through their grip, and the round and round feeling that becomes our climb everyday. Do we give up and succumb to the despairing grip of inward selfishness, or do we hope and dare to move through a very perilous mountain pass? Do we trust in the light of God leading ahead? He has gone before us, Christ's path is the one we follow in our climb. His very footprints we step into.
For better waters heading with the wind
My ship of genius now shakes out her sail,
And leaves that ocean of despair behind.
- Canto I, Purgatory
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