Crossing the Chasm

jesus, chchrist descent into hell, hell

During my Holy Hour, I began to see images of a chasm with people on either side. Those on the right were in a “state of grace”(1) and those on the left were not. Those in a state of grace understood the gap, the separation; those on the left did not. Some of them, on the left, wanted to be on the other side but had no idea of how to get there.

The Gap was wide and deep; the contrasting sides could not hear each other but could see each other. The people on the right could see the anguish and yearning on the faces of some on the left. They in turn could see the joy and peace reflected in those on the right. Also, for those on the right, there was some sadness; a sorrow that seemed to say “I wish that you could be here on this side of the chasm, and I wish I knew how to get you here. Some of the separated were husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, parents and children.

Yes, there is some sorrow. The sorrow of loss, of nostalgia-remembering what was, when it was good and joyful. before my conversion, most of my life was on “the left” side. Then I didn’t even know there was another side. Thank God now I do.

As I walked away from the church, I walked away with a lot of questions and very few answers. Why did I have this meditation? Was it an image of how things could be or was it an image of how things will be? Was the “insight” of family and friends either in or going to hell a blessing or a temptation to despair? If it is a blessing, then what is God asking me to do?

I attempt to answer these preceding questions, which demand an answer. If by chance, fate, or circumstance, you, the reader, share some or all of these concerns, then I welcome you to continue with my exploration for a possible reconciliation between the insight and my spiritual discomfort.

First Question: Why Did I Have This Meditation?

I don’t know why I had this meditation, but I am disturbed by it and I need to think it through with humility and prayer. Related to this meditation is a book I’ve read by Fr. Walsh, entitled Our Lady of Fatima. In this book there is a very “vivid” description of hell, as follows:

a sea of fire; and plunged in this fire the demons and the souls, as if they were red-hot coals, transparent and black or bronze-colored, with human forms…falling on all sides as sparks fall in great conflagrations…among shrieks and groans of sorrow and despair which horrify and cause to shudder with fear. The Devils were distinguished by horrible and loathsome forms of animals frightful and unknown…” The Blessed Virgin Mary during her third visitation showed this vision to Lucia and Jacinta, (two of the three shepherd children she revealed herself to in 1917). After showing this vision she said to them: “You see hell, where the souls of poor sinners go…to save them God wishes to establish in the world the devotion to my Immaculate heart. If they do what I will tell you, many souls will be save (Our Lady of Fatima, page 81).

In another part of the book, the Blessed Virgin Mary earnestly told the children to

Pray, pray a great deal, and make sacrifices for sinners, for many souls go to hell because they have no one to sacrifice and pray for them (page,120).

Recalling these particular passages given to the children at Fatima, and to the world through them, made me realize that this was the message I needed to hear to understand my meditation and spiritual unrest. I needed to pray more for others and for myself, in reparation for my sins and the sins of others with a focus on salvation.

Second Question: Was It an Image of How Things Could Be or of How Things Will Be?

Was the meditation based on a projection for those on the left? That is, like a warning which says:” If you don’t change the way you’re living now, then your future does not look too promising. In which case the image of the chasm is a warning. A warning for them, and a warning for me. If I don’t want my loved ones going to hell, then I better do something about it! On the other hand, could the image represent a “look into the future,” which says:  this is the outcome, and there is nothing anyone can do about it?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that

all forms of divination are to be rejected recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead, or other practices …to unveil the future. Consulting horoscopes, as a trilogy, palm reading… clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums…they contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone (CCC 2116).

Only God knows the future; it is not within my jurisdiction to have this knowledge. Therefore, the first option is the better interpretation and the one I choose to respond to.

Third Question: Was the Insight of Family and Friends Either In or Going to Hell a Blessing or Temptation to Despair?

The preceding answers also answer this question and there is little to add to it, except to say that obviously, the meditation was a blessing, and I should have perceived that from the outset. But I regretfully allowed doubt to creep in and guide me away from God’s good intentions to explore the things I can do to secure my salvation and the salvation of others, which brings us to the fourth and the last question.

Fourth Question: If it is a Blessing, Then What is God Asking Me To Do?

The first thing that comes to mind is “fraternal correction.” Jesus tells us in sacred scripture that

If your brother sins (against you), go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother (Matthew 18:15).

And St. James tells us:

My brothers, if anyone among you should stray from the truth and some bring him back, he should know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins (James 5:19-20). (2)

In our society today I don’t think it is difficult “to wander from the truth.” In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells us that to enter  ‘the Kingdom of God” we must

Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few (Matthew 7:13-14).

God does not want us to take salvation for granted. But if we look at our society as it is today, it seems that a lot of people have the narrow and wide gates reversed. (3)  So many, including some who claim to be Christian, act and live as though the way to salvation and eternal life is an easy path made for the majority, and if we “follow the crowd” we are in good hands and will find our way to heaven eventually.

But is this point of view true? The Blessed Virgin Mary, when she appeared in Fatima, informed us that “many souls go to hell…” (Our Lady of Fatima p.120), and she said: “Pray, pray a great deal, and make sacrifices for sinners, for many souls go to hell because they have no one to sacrifice and pray for them.” From this quote, two facts stand out, firstly that prayer counts, and it can actually save people from going to hell: “many souls go to hell because they have no one to sacrifice and pray for them.” And secondly, we need to “make sacrifices for sinners.”

God has already told us what to do through the Blessed mother but what does it mean “to make sacrifices?” The sacrifices, I’m sure, are small penances, similar to acts of sacrifice during Lent.  Another and very worthwhile “sacrifice” is to join our prayer to our sufferings no matter what they are, and offer them to God in reparation for our sins and the sins of others, and of course, this can be especially meritorious during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I consider my meditation on the chasm as a blessing even though initially I found it disturbing. Perhaps it was disturbing because I needed to focus on what is true, rather than wishful thinking.  Our loving Father does not want us to take our salvation for granted. It’s true that Jesus’ perfect sacrifice on Calvary opened the gate of heaven, but it’s also true that we must do our part to reach that gate. Our Lord wants us in heaven, and he doesn’t want us to come alone. He will give us the graces necessary to help ourselves and to help others if we are willing; but first and foremost, we must choose the right path and stay focused on our destination. Above all, we need to realize that the salvation of our souls is our awesome responsibility.

End Notes

State of grace” is the same as “sanctifying grace” and/or “grace of justification”; the Catechism of the Catholic Church defines sanctifying grace as follows:

The grace of Christ is the gratuitous gift that God makes to us of his own life, infused by the Holy Spirit into our soul to heal it of sin and to sanctify it. It is the sanctifying or deifying grace received in Baptism. It is in us the source of the work of sanctification (CCC 1999).

Sanctifying grace first given to us in Baptism is thereafter increased and strengthened through the sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Communion, and If “lost” restored through the sacrament of Confession. Venial sins cannot destroy this grace, but one mortal sin can. It is mortal sin that separates us from God after our baptism.

For a sin to be mortal, three conditions must together be met: ‘Mortal sin is sin whose object is grave matter and which is also committed with full knowledge and deliberate consent (CCC 1857).

Mortal sin destroys charity in the heart of man by a grave violation of God’s law; it turns man away from God, who is his ultimate end and his beatitude, by preferring an inferior good to him (CCC 1855).

(2) In reference to fraternal correction (as well as an examination of conscience) the most common standards are those values given to us through the Ten Commandments and The Precepts of The Catholic Church.

(3)  The Sacred Heart Major Seminary. On-Line Lecture material from Church in Crisis by Ralph Martin, Ph.D., Chapter on: “The Virus of Universalism.” Module 4.

Contact Information: Dr. Ryan K. Cahill ,
Director of Distance Education & Online Learning
Sacred Heart Major Seminary
Telephone (313) 883-8757, E-mail: cahill.ryan@shms.edu

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest

3 thoughts on “Crossing the Chasm”

  1. Pingback: TVESDAY EDITION – Big Pulpit

  2. 1. For the most part, liberals understand conservatives. But conservatives don’t understand liberals. At least I see no sign here of any attempts being made.

    2. Most people don’t go in through the “narrow door”. They don’t independently think things through. They just pick sides based on who they’d rather hang out with.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.