Gabriel was talking to Thomas about the Feast of the Assumption, reminding him that it was a doctrine of the Church that Mary, at the end of her earthly life, was assumed bodily into Heaven.

Thomas was unconvinced.

“Where did she go? Was she taken up like a rocket into the sky? Where is Heaven? Is it above that cloud over there? Where is it on a cloudless day?”

Gabriel answered it is everywhere. It is like a curtain drawn across a room. With one hand one can reach across and part the curtain. Indeed, that is what we do at death.

But, asked Thomas, If it is everywhere, in this room, where is Mary’s body complete and living?

You cannot see her: She is here. In this very room.