Domine quo vadis? by Annibale Carracci (1602)

Today is the final day of reading Quo Vadis, the second book of the 2021 Chapter-a-Day Read-along. If you were able to adjust to the little schedule mix-up, then today is the day for reading the Epilogue and finishing the story of Vinicius and Ligia. This post is the place for you to leave your thoughts about your experience in reading Henryk Sienkiewicz’s classic. What did you gain from reading it? What challenged you? What uplifted you? What surprised you?

I’ve read Quo Vadis a few times already, and this reading reaffirmed all that I love about the novel. Henryk Sienkiewicz brings the apostolic era alive in a way that stirs up my admiration for the early Christians and encourages me in my own faith journey. Perhaps the best thing I can say about the book is that it makes me want to be a better disciple.

Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the Kuniczak translation:

“…I listened to some of your teaching. It’s all very strange to me and I don’t understand it, but you’ve convinced me by the way you act that you’re good, honest people.” (Chapter 30)

“Do you know there are people who don’t worry about Caesar one way or another?” Vinicius asked…
“Yes, I know. Your Christians.”
“Yes. Only they. While for the rest of us, life is merely one uninterrupted fear.” (Chapter 36)

“I believe that Christ rose from the dead. I know this from eyewitnesses to his resurrection who live their lives in truth. I believe because I saw it for myself that your faith breeds goodness, justice and compassion…” (Chapter 41)

“…you bring another kind of beauty to the world, a kind that never existed before. It isn’t something monumental. It’s not for pedestals. But it’s something holy.” (Chapter 42)

“Paul said, ‘You reject a philosophy of mercy, love and justice, Petronius, to live without care. But how carefree are you, my lord, when neither you nor the most powerful and richest man among you can go to sleep at night sure he won’t be ordered to die in the morning? You want to keep all your pleasures, but wouldn’t you feel more secure in all your joys if Caesar lived by a rule that commands justice and compassion? Wouldn’t life seem easier and more cheerful then?” (Chapter 47)

Leave your thoughts below and feel free to engage with others who leave their comments. Let me know if you post your reflections on your own blog and I will link to it here. Tomorrow it’s on to Paris and The Hunchback of Notre Dame!