Woe, Pain, and The Lost

I AM THE WAY INTO THE CITY OF WOE,
I AM THE WAY INTO ETERNAL PAIN,
I AM THE WAY TO GO AMONG THE LOST. (Dante 1-3) Canto 3
The words etched into the gates of hell almost struck me as an antithesis to Christ and his call to those who heard him preach. While Jesus was the way, and the truth, and the life, leading to Heaven and eternal joy with the Father, these gates that Dante enters state that it is the path to pain and the "CITY OF WOE". Obviously I understand they are in hell which is all that is against God, it just struck me as interesting seeing the words written in such a way that it almost seems this path is boasting of what lies within the gates. This compliments the first people encountered because i feel that they were very prideful and their lukewarm nature found them wallowing in the first level of Hell, unable to enter Heaven because they are unfaithful. Yet, they remain there and don't go deeper, "lest they bring glory to the wicked there." Not 100% sure how they could bring glory to more wicked people, but I'm sure we will unpack that statement as we head deeper into Hell with Dante. I am really enjoying all the imagery and the change of pace from our normal readings. Can't wait to keep reading.






P.S. I commented on Darby's and Daniel's posts!