1 March 2000, written by Bill Teysko

Vision

"This wall is the only part of the Second Temple left. The temple was built by King Herod the Great and destroyed by Roman soldiers in 70 AD as punishment for the Jewish revolt. This lower part, with the larger stones, is known as the Western Wall or Wailing Wall," explained our Palestinian guide. I edged my way through the crowd to get a closer look. The scene was just like the pictures, a canyon of golden-beige blocks leading to a corner where Jewish and Christian faithful gather. Now I was the faithful pilgrim having traveled halfway around the world to stand in this spot. What is so special here? What is the magnet of this place? I was not expecting an answer that day, but I would walk away with one.

I strolled towards the Wailing Wall, stopping at the counter to receive a little hat that the Jews require. "It’s just like one of those paper bowls used for french fries," I thought. Awkwardly, I balanced it on my head descending toward the blocks, searching for an empty space. The way cleared and I saw that few men actually stood next to the wall. I glanced around, seeing some men in prayer, some in meditation, and a few sat in chairs reading. I tried not to stare at the men dressed in the black suits with black beards and long curling locks dangling from beneath their black felt hat. Other men dressed in regular clothes with prayer shawls and caps mixed with the tourists wearing their tennis shoes and cameras.

I put my hand on the limestone block, leaning against it. The stone felt cool to the touch in the early morning, looking every bit of 2000 years old. I reached into my pocket for the scrap of paper with my scribbled prayers and stuck it in a crack with all the others. I bowed my head and closed my eyes, thinking I should offer up a prayer at the Wailing Wall. It was the respectful thing to do.

As I began, "Heavenly Father," I was stunned by a presence before me in my mind’s eye. Paralyzed in thought, I could only gawk at this "presence" suddenly there. I sensed a vast, featureless immensity without end. As time passed, I realized that I was indeed frozen, I could not form a thought! This was total awe.

I didn’t feel threatened in any way by His being there. I knew who it was, only one possibility, the Almighty One. He seemed patient, not stirring or making any signs. I began to feel impatient with myself. I should at least be able to react in some way. I struggled and was, at last, able to offer a small thought of praise and devotion.

Opening my eyes, I wondered how long this eternity of thought had gone on. I reflected for a moment, rolling over in my mind what had happened. Was this vision real? Without hesitation, I answered, "More real than life!" I felt a clearness and a light heart as I went to join my group of fellow pilgrims. I commented to myself as I walked, "I will never again wonder if God exists."