I was driving home from an appointment and decided to listen to a talk show to help pass the time. What came on seemed to link directly to today’s readings. Life often matches the readings!
Depression on the Rise in the USA
The commentator shared facts about the rampant rise in depression, especially among young people, which began to show in 2007. That is when we began to spend too much time staring at screens of computers and phones and tablets and ignored our fellow humans. The rate of use of psychiatric drugs has increased from forty million users in the USA to sixty-five million, and the drugs seem to not be working for most people, as the trends point to continued growth. Birth rates are down, and watching porn is up. Attendance at churches of all denominations is down, and lack of faith is up. Atheism and agnosticism are on the rise.
Why?
I got home before I finished the whole show, but I like to ask myself “why” when depressing trends like this come up. My first thought is lack of purpose, and lack of “what’s next.” If we are just here to watch the phone and order things online, and when that is over, there is no God, so there is no Heaven, just a light switch turning off, that IS depressing. God can act quickly when He wants, but not often as fast as the internet. So, what are we to do?
Peace in Him
Jesus tells the disciples today that they will have trouble, they will be scattered, and it will not be easy out there. Out of the original twelve, Judas committed suicide, John died of old age, but the other ten were martyred, if memory serves. He tells them to take courage because He conquered the world. His Father created the universe. The Holy Spirit can invigorate the whole world. Jesus said straight away that we can have peace in Him.
Today
I have no doubt that many people do have chemical imbalances, personality disorders, and assorted mental issues. I also think that a lot of the issues with depression rates are self-inflicted, by looking inwardly and at ourselves only. Lastly, if we do not think there is a higher power, what does it matter anyway to be hanging around?
I pray for the conversion of souls, and that even one person can turn to the Lord for help today.
