A re-telling of the true 12th century love story of Heloise and Abelard. Abelard is a great philosopher and theologian who has taken, like many academics of the time, a vow of celibacy. When he is hired as a tutor for the brilliant and beautiful Hel...
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I'm holding an old manuscript one evening, tracing my fingers along the intricate depictions in its margins. Rich inks are used to inscribe many biblical scenes, unfolding from page to page in their golds and blues and reds. A full-page depiction of Christ halts me: I think it's something in his eyes, and in the way they seem to jump out of the page to implore me.
I cannot help but blink back my tears. What would you have wanted? I find myself asking Him.
The nearby town is nothing but flames and fear and blood. When I look into His eyes, though, it cuts through all that noise. This isn't what you would have wanted.
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And at the next Mass, Abelard holds everyone back to deliver a lecture, desperation lighting all of his features.
"My brothers and sisters," he commands. "We must speak about something."
We all wait in anticipation, breaths held and eyes darting around curiously.
He draws in a long, heavy breath, and moves across the altar. "Divine punishment. The punishment our people emulate, thinking themselves holy in doing so..."
"What is it, Father Abelard?" a favourite student of his steps toward the altar, but Abelard motions his hand up in the air to stop him.
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