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Two Michelangelo Sculptures |
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written
by joelnish / 10.22.2005 |
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| Two Michelangelo sculptures |
1 of 1 |
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Assignment |
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He didn’t mean to be there, staring Michelangelo’s giant statue of Moses in the eyes but now that he was Father Anton couldn’t shake his discomfort with the statue. Something about Moses was very different than he remembered it. In his youth Anton had glanced over the statue and summed it up as a thoughtful portrait of Moses. But now, as Anton paced in front of the giant Moses all that came to him were memories of painful frustration, the horrible accident on the bridge, that pregnant teenager in his congregation, and his ultimate failure in the church.
What was it about this hunk of marble? Anton again traced Moses with his eyes. A resolute grimace, deep in thought, a thick and curled beard twisting amongst his hand, an arm resting on the Ten Commandments… Maybe that was it. The commandments seemed too delicate, too sharp and too plain compared to the rest of Moses. Anton’s eyes then followed Moses arms back to the beard, it was so complex and warm. But the red barricade reminded Anton that the statue was off limits.
As Anton turned his back to the statue and surveyed the church. A fat American in yellow shorts was taking pictures of the alter, a tourist group of Asians flocked out of the gift store, only a few Italians. Had he ever accomplished anything? He remembered back to his first days in the service, he had been so optimistic. But the church just seemed to keep losing ground.
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Troubled by the almost apathetic words of the Cardinal and unsure of whether to leave or confront the Cardinal again Anton began to slowly pace the insides of the church. But what could he say to a man who seemed to be able to make anything sound justified? Without an answer, Anton decided to cut his loses and made his way for the back door.
Cutting his way through a rowdy tour group he found himself standing in front of the church’s famous statue of Christ carrying the cross. With a sigh he at first slowed and then stopped his pace while he looked at the resolute, marble face of Christ. And Christ looked back at Anton, freezing him. Yet Anton could not understand Christ’s gaze, what was he trying to say? Disappointed Anton lowered his head, straightened his glasses and began to walk towards the exit.
While Anton continued Christ’s right foot caught Anton’s eye. Christ’s right leg extended in front of the cross—but that’s not how anyone would carry a cross. Anton stopped. From the foot Anton followed the firm cross to Christ’s arms where Christ embraced the cross with both arms and held it close. Christ wasn’t carrying the cross, he was guarding it.
And then Anton’s eyes met the statue’s and he decided it was time to talk to the Cardinal.
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