Dante vs. Dante

Midway upon the journey of life

I found myself within a forest dark,

For the straightforward pathway had been lost.

 So begins Canto I of Dante Alighieri’s The Divine Comedy, written in Italian during the fourteenth century.  The above is a translation by famed poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, published in 1867. 

Read below a 1980 translation of the same section, by Allen Mandelbaum:

When I had journeyed half of our life’s way,

I found myself within a shadowed forest,

For I had lost the path that does not stray.

Both are translated from the same original text and express a common condition of middle-aged life.  For me, the first provides exceptionally beautiful language and evokes deep inner stirrings.

In a similar way, experience Psalm 107:4, first from a 1610 English translation and then a 1970s version.

They wandered in a wilderness, in a place without water: they found not the way of a city for their habitation. 
(Douay Rheims Version 1610)

Some wandered in the trackless desert and could not find their way to a city to live in.

(Good News Translation 1970)

 What thinkest thou?

Lord, when I find myself lost in the forest of life, allow me to hear Your words in such a way that my heart is stirred.

Lead, Kindly Light

 Thou dost show me the path of life.

  --- Psalm 16:11

Lead, Kindly Light, amidst the encircling gloom.  Lead Thou me on.  The night is dark and I am far from home, lead Thou me on.  Keep thou my feet.  I do not ask to see the distant scene.  One step enough for me.

Lord, I'm walking in a dark place.  Today, please show me the next step and lead me towards Your kingdom.

Mist-ified

 For we walk by faith and not by sight.

-- 2 Corinthians 5:7 (DB)

At times in life we find ourselves in need of something specific- a job, a place of worship, a school decision, a friend, or perhaps even a spouse.  We desire clear direction, but the future lies shrouded in mist.  God knows the way through the mist.  Let us take His hand and seek Him first each day, even when we can't see through to the other side.  

Lord, as St. John Henry Newman said, "I do not ask to see the distant scene.  One step enough for me."  Help me to trust in You for the future. 

Stumped

 For He is like a refiner's fire.

--- Malachi 3:2 (RSV)

Remember the half-dead tree of which I spoke?  (See June 7^th – A Truncated Fall).  An arborist successfully removed it last month, leaving behind a large stump.  

Taking matters into our own hands, we lit a fire to the useless lumpy mass of dead pine.  It has been smoldering now for 24 hours, slowly eating away the dead wood.  

Sometimes we are stumped by hard times, but God will use them to refine us.  Fire can destroy in a bad way, but also can be helpful to get rid of dead wood.  Is there dead wood in my life that needs removal? 

Lord, allow me to submit to Your purifying fires in order to remove the dead wood in my life.

Reflecting the Light

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God.

--- II Corinthians 4:6

There was a wedding across the pond last night.  Festive reception music echoed out over the water in celebration of the bride and groom.  As darkness set in, the lights took on a hallowed glow, shining upon the water.  Their image reflected perfectly to double the impact of the light.

I hope and pray the newlyweds were people of faith.  Then, in the same way their wedding lights gleamed out into the darkness, they can radiate hope into a dark world.  Together, their impact will be doubled. 

Lord, let us shine Your light into dark places, reflecting hope to those who see us from near and far.

When the Heart Cries

Oh, turn to me, and have mercy on me!  Give Your strength to your servant, And save the son of Your maidservant.  Shew me a token for good.

--- Psalm 86:16,17 (NKJV)

I reconnected the other day with an old friend.  Recent years have been difficult for her.  Her husband died from cancer following years of stoically fighting Crohn’s Disease.  His anticipated retirement date from work came a mere three days after his death.  Her husband’s absence necessitated a move from their beloved homestead, which had been a place of warm, comforting memories.  In the midst of it all, her cherished pet became sick and died – also from cancer. 

After repeated losses, one is left with empty hands and a trampled heart.  When tempted towards cynicism and despair, the Psalter provides the words with which to cry out, and also gives license to our deepest feelings.  Located in the very center of the Bible, the Psalms give voice to the human heart cry. 

Please, show me some token of good this day, dear Lord.

Simple Words of Kindness

 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

--- Proverbs 16:24 (RSV)

“He always thanked me,” she said. 

That was the memory the clerk, at the local fruit and vegetable market, had of my father.  After his sudden death, I told her of his passing.  She knew of him immediately, and said a few times, “He always would say thank you.”  I could picture Dad, smiling, leaning in a bit towards her as he expressed his gentle words of thanks. 

That clerk wasn’t the only person with whom Dad had contact in simple business doings, who remembered his pleasant ways.  The agent who managed his car and home insurance said, “I always enjoyed talking with your father."  A similar comment was made by the office manager at his home heating oil company. 

Dad left his indelible mark of kindness in each simple daily contact.  As he did with me. 

Lord, thank you for the sweetness imparted through simple words of kindness.