Snatched in a wolf’s fangs and how a poet pulled me out

In Inferno’s 1st chapter, Dante is lost in dark woods. Three animals block his exit-a hill. The animals represent Dante’s sins. A panther fraud, a lion violence, a she-wolf pride.

“And lo! almost where the ascent began,

A panther light and swift exceedingly,

Which with a spotted skin was covered o’er!”

Canto I, lines 31-33

From the woods Dante’s hero emerged. Virgil rescued Dante, led him through hell, and later, purgatory.

Like Dante I found myself lost in a dark wood at 16. I abandoned Christianity. Pride trapped me; the allure of greed, glory, worship, ensnared me.

God performed a miracle.

I had a dream about Dante’s Inferno, the 19th chapter. Dante plunged greedy sinners head down in fiery baptismal fonts. I was in the center, beneathDante.

“O doleful soul, implanted like a stake,”

To say began I, “if thou canst, speak out.”

Canto XIX, lines 47-48

This nightmare terrified me. I leapt on my bed, gasped, punched air. Then I recognized my bedroom walls and dressers. I sat, caught my breath, and journaled my dream.

The succeeding months I dug into Christianity’s truth claims. I studied Aristotle, Aquinas, Plato, Socrates. After several study weeks I converted to Protestant Christianity and later the Catholic Church.

Reflecting back on my conversation, I learned 2 important lessons:

Pride is the deadliest sin.

A hero’s importance, Dante.

The first lesson-pride is the deadliest sin-I learned the hard way. I yearned for the world. I competed in a sport called powerlifting. I planned to move to Columbus Ohio and pursue the sport semi professionally. Don’t misunderstand me, competitive barbell sports are awesome. I train recreational and compete for fun. But, during my serious competitive years, my competitive reasons grew selfish. Fame, honor, praise, allured me. I wanted to play God. The pride wolf in Dante’s dark wood ensnared me.

The second-a hero’s importance- I recognized later. Dante is my hero. Without Dante’s dream intervention I never would have converted to the Christian Faith. He brought me back to life’s Fundamental: Christ. My hero Dante snatched me from a wolf’s fangs.

I hope my story encouraged you to examine your conscience and seek a hero.