A Divine Lent #29: The time allotted us ought to be spent more profitably


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

It's about time, Canto 23 in Purgatory, and how we spend it.  Dante is staring up at a magical tree that it in their path when,

my more than father called to me: "Dear son,
come with me now; the time allotted us
ought to be spend more profitably."

Dante frequently expresses his dependence on Virgil, yet also talks have having to leave him at some point since Virgil can take him only so far on the path to Paradise.  It is a bittersweet comment, yet Dante knows that he cannot spend all of his time with Virgil.

A group of skin-and-bones shades pass the travelers.  The shades are singing from Psalm 51, "Open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise."  These are the shades of the Gluttonous, lamenting of their pour use of time (and of their mouths) while on earth.  One of the shades, Forese, notices that Dante is still human and exclaims,

What grace has been bestowed on me!

It's a wonderful exclamation.  Rather than the typical "Who let you up here?", Forese sees an unexpected occurrence as a gift of grace.  Can I face the day with the same appreciative attitude?

Forese demonstrates though that he is still very human.

tell me about yourself.  And those two with you,
tell me who they are too.  Please answer me,
do not withhold from me what I desire!

Forese is on this terrace of purgatory, suffering hunger and thirst, because while alive, he did not withhold from himself what he desired.  He was gluttonous.  His object may have shifted from food to knowledge, but he is still a victim of what he desires.  Where do I make myself of victim of my own desires?

After a series of exchanges between Dante and Forese, Dante makes a regretful statement.

Whenever you recall
what we were like together, you and I,
the memory of those days must torture you.
From that life I was called away...

Forese and Dante were friends, but not in the most positive sense of the word.  Translator Mark Musa comments that they exchanged vulgar poetry, full of insults to each other.  It sounds like several raucous nights in the pub.  Yet this was not an uplifting relationship, not a good use of time, so now Dante the author provides this belated apology to Forese.  This is a somber reminder to make every relationship count, make every day count; regrets can come all too quickly when time passes us by.

In Lent, may we all make the best use of our time to enjoy relationships that build up rather than tear down.

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