The Signs of the Times & Mental Health Day

 

 When [Jesus] was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”  Jesus answered them, “Beware that no one leads you astray.  For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah!’ and they will lead many astray.  

And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.  For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places: all this is but the beginning of the birth pangs.

                         Matthew 24: 3-8 NRSVue

The overall objective of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health.

The Day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.

This is World Mental Health Day and the World Health Organization (WHO) invites us all to consider the objectives named above. 

At times I wonder how anyone who is paying attention to the realities of our world can be mentally healthy and whole. A recent report indicates that young people demonstrated a dramatic rise in mental illness in various forms during the pandemic, including eating disorders. Isolation and disruption had that effect on so many. 

Our planet is groaning under the weight of human-induced climate change and even when we live in relative safety we can't help but be aware of those affected by floods and fires and famine. Millions are on the move as climate refugees and migrants and we can feel helpless in making a difference.

Then there are the wars which seem so senseless and so brutal. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine and now the horrendous terrorists attacks in Israel shake us to the core. The retribution in Gaza will affect millions. 

Having spent time in Israel earlier this year and visiting Jerusalem at Easter during the confluence of Passover, Easter and Ramadan I ponder the role of religion in making situations worse rather than better. I find it difficult not to be preoccupied with every detail of what is unfolding and thinking about it in the context of places we visited and our family members who live in Israel. 

The scripture passage above is a reminder that in every age humans have dealt with "wars and rumours of wars" and felt that their circumstances were apocalyptic. I don't think Jesus was suggesting a "don't worry, be happy" response to the ominous signs of the times. Reading on, Jesus is almost brutally honest yet he also speaks of the good news of God's reign. 

We can't look away as the people of Christ and it is understandable that we are apprehensive and that we mourn. Somehow we live beyond despair because "We are not alone, we live in God’s world", the opening words of our United Church statement of faith. We must continue to inhale and exhale the love of the God who has come to redeem the world rather than abandon in. We can pray, and pray, and pray some more, not as an act of desparation but of hope. 

We are not alone,
    we live in God’s world.

 We believe in God:
    who has created and is creating,
    who has come in Jesus,
       the Word made flesh,
       to reconcile and make new,
    who works in us and others
       by the Spirit.

We trust in God. 

We are called to be the Church:
    to celebrate God’s presence,
    to live with respect in Creation,
    to love and serve others,
    to seek justice and resist evil,
    to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
       our judge and our hope.

In life, in death, in life beyond death,
    God is with us.
We are not alone.

    Thanks be to God.