There was a slight, yet brisk breeze blowing; it was as if the breeze were guiding me to the Temple. The sun was barely peeking over the surrounding hills as I walked into the courtyard. I started pacing, and as I turned around, a flickering light caught my eye. It seemed to be coming from one of the Temple rooms. It may have been a candle, but I couldn’t stop looking at its brilliance pouring from the window.

I made my way towards the light and suddenly saw a young woman sitting inside. She looked startled, and I realized who she was: Mary. I’d seen her many times in the Temple, and yes, she had recently become engaged to a young carpenter. Mary’s gaze was focused on the bright light coming from the corner of the room, in front of her. She was nodding, knowingly. All was silence, but she continued to slowly nod, her hands open to receiving something: her posture was intentional.

The light breeze was still blowing around me, and the sun was beginning to rise. I felt as if I were interrupting a conversation, but Mary wasn’t talking. I backed away quietly and sat by the fountain. The light in her room suddenly faded away and the day began. Mary hastened through the courtyard, as if on a mission. She was determined. The wind followed her and slowly came to a halt. Where could a girl that young be running to first thing in the morning? Why had I felt the need to visit the courtyard so early? Young Mary, quiet and gentle, intently staring at the wall, staring at the light, nodding: what was she
thinking? Where did she go?

I may never know what Mary had experienced, but I knew that I had witnessed something special, something holy. God had purposefully woken me up, so I could witness this miracle of Mary. Not as a testament to her great faith, but as a rejuvenation to my own. Suddenly, I stopped, mid-stride. My God, I whispered, what is it that you want me to do for you? Where in my life have I not said ‘yes’ to You? I felt an openness in my being as if I had just been stretched. “How can I let you in?”

Henry Tanner & Lloyd Baugh SJ