A Step into the Abyss
By Anna Laughery
Abyss Definition - a deep or seemingly bottomless chasm; a wide or profound gulf between people.
This is a time of an abyss. A time of nothingness, a time of emptiness, a time of space and profound separation. Abyss is usually a frightening word. It is often used in Sacred Scripture to describe the absence of God. Sometimes a terrifying beast occupies the emptiness of the abyss, a leviathan waiting to devour the helpless.
As we sit and wait at the edge of the unknown of this pandemic in America, it can feel as if we are about to take a step into the mouth of an abyss and whatever evil awaits us there. The beginning of self-isolation and quarantine can seem like the beginning of a period of loneliness that is never-ending. It is tempting to let fear and despair overwhelm us.
But abysses aren’t always pits of despair. In fact, one of the brightest moments of the story of salvation shines forth from an abyss of anticipatory loneliness, and one the brightest moments of the current international pandemic radiates from the emptiness of heart of our Church.
On March 25th , we celebrated the feast of the Annunciation, the beautiful memorial of Mary’s fiat. What is often overlooked in this story is that Mary made her yes from an abyss of loneliness and anticipation. She was alone when faced with the decision to bear the Lord, and she, along with all her people, lived in a constant chasm of waiting. She was perfectly aware of this abyss, but she did not let it stop her from incredible courage, selfless obedience and magnanimous charity. She acted in spite of the abyss in which she lived, and it changed the course of eternity. What can our fiat in our abyss do?
On Friday March 27th , Pope Francis issues the historical urbi et orbi blessing to the faithful. It was a tragically beautiful sight to see the Father of the universal Church, alone in the usually teeming square of St. Peter’s, with the arms of the great Basilica embracing a city ravaged by disease. He was in an abyss. But, like the Blessed Mother, he did not let the abyss stop him from being a Father to his children and a Shepherd to his flock. He loved, sacrificed and interceded despite the emptiness. What can our love, sacrifices and intercession from our own abysses do for our world?
In the fifth chapter of the Gospel of Luke, Jesus invites Peter to cast his net into the deep. Our Lord was not afraid of the deep. He challenged Peter to plunge into the deep to bring back the lost, and to experience their loss for himself. Jesus himself experienced the abyss through his passion and death. Like Peter and Jesus, we too can embrace the abyss and serve the Lord in the face of this time of emptiness and fear. How can you willingly step into this abyss and imitate our Lord, Mary, Peter and our Holy Father and love, serve and intercede? This abyss which we face is much more than an empty chasm or profound distance. It is an opportunity for radical love. How will you take a step into the abyss?
Psalm 130: 1-6
Out of the depths I cry to thee, O Lord!
Lord, hear my voice!
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning.
