A Divine Lent #19: I felt that I was doing something wrong, staring at people who could not stare back

A daily reflection during Lent on Dante's The Divine Comedy.

As my title indicates, Canto 13 in Purgatory has an awkward feel to it.  Dante and Virgil arrive on the next level of purgatory which leads Virgil in an elaborate decision process of whether to go left or right, calling upon Natural Reason to be his guide.  It is an overly dramatic depiction of a crap shoot.

Virgil recovers, identifying their location as the circle of the Envious after hearing three quick admonitions for charity.

...The Envious

this circle scourges--that is why the whip

used hear is fashioned from the cords of love.

The opposing virtue to the sin Envy is Charity or love for others.  Indeed, how can I have love for others if I also resent the success of others, or even relish their downfall.  When I look at celebrities and politicians, it is easy to revel in the fall of the mighty, and the mightier the better.  I may justify this reaction by citing abuse of position or influence, the distorted compensation systems of modern society, or blatant hypocrisy.  Yet still, I am relishing the fall of another individual while still claiming compassion on those in need.  This is not to say that justice should be ignored or not pursued.  Justice rightly executed though should instill a sense of sorrow for the failure of society rather than a relishing of comeuppance.  Gloating is inconsistent with charity.

The pilgrim's embarrassment can be seen from this perspective.

I felt that I was doing something wrong,

walking along, staring at people who

could not stare back.

The souls on this level could not bear to see the good fortunes of others, so their eyes were sewn shut.  Dante feels awkward for his ability to see and walk compared to the souls paralyzed in their blindness, huddled against a wall.  Dante is aware of his better fortune and did not want to flaunt it or feed their envy.  He makes an interesting statement, though, that tells of his bigger issue with Pride, but gives the Envious something to envy.

"My sight one day shall be sewn-up," I said,

"but not for long; my eyes have seldom sinned

in casting envious looks on other folk."

Dante recovers, though, by offering charity.

O chosen soul, I would be glad to move

my mortal feet on earth on your behalf.

He offers prayers of intercession to accelerate their penance.  Intercession is the best response when I catch myself being envious of others.  Prayers for someone, whether personally known or not, inhibits the resentment of their success or the celebration of their downfall.

In Lent, may we pray for others, especially those whose success we tend to resent.