The recent deaths of Robin Williams and Philip Seymour Hoffman (who, incidentally, starred to-gether in the movie, “Patch Adams”) have again raised the specter of mental illness. Depression, loneliness, bi-polar, and all the many descriptions bouncing around that describe such illnesses often seem taboo. They’re not subjects about which we like to talk. But the deaths of well-known persons brings this into the open.
Many families deal with the issues on a daily basis. For some, it’s an embarrassing and shameful thing, something to keep hidden. In my years in ministry, I’ve encountered this far too often. One might be surprised at the individuals and families afflicted by the many faces of mental illness. On the outside they might appear quite normal, while on the inside they are in turmoil. And, often such conditions lead to drug and/or alcohol addictions, and can result in broken relationships, poor work habits, and so much more.
As I write this the Beatles’ song, “Eleanor Rigby,” is bouncing around in my head: “See the lonely people, where do they all come from?” The song is about loneliness, and about the sometimes quietly desperate lives we live. The end of the song says, “Eleanor Rigby died in the church and was buried along with her name.” Yes, even we “church” people, we disciples of Jesus Christ, can experience this. But we’ll never admit it.
Throughout the gospels we find those who were described as possessed by demons. One such description appears in the fifth chapter of Mark (verses 1-20). The “Gerasene demoniac” lived among the tombs, apart from fellow humans. Jesus cured him. Like this man, others lived on the margins of society, both literally and figuratively. They didn’t fit in, so were unwelcome.
Jesus’ healing of persons such as this is an example for us: We are called to move from igno-rance and/or indifference to reach out in Jesus’ name, and be about the business of healing and reconciliation. We are called, too, to move about with a keen awareness of those around us. Our task, again, in Christ’s name, is to heal the sick, lift up the broken-hearted, feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, help to provide adequate clothing and shelter, and to give comfort to those who mourn (see Matt. 25:31-46).
When asked where his brother Abel was, Cain’s answer was “am I my brother’s keeper?” (Gen. 4:9). God’s answer to Cain’s reply is a resounding yes! That does not mean meddling in an-other’s affairs, nor trying to control or tell them what to do. It does mean we go about each day on the lookout for what Luke would call the least, the last, and the lost. As followers of Christ, it is our business. See you on this road we share together.
Grace and peace,
Mike
August 24, 2014