Have We Tuned Jesus Out?

Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 56, 57, [58]; Ecclus. 38:24-34; Rev. 14:1-13; Luke 12:49-59

In my mid-thirties I experienced my first panic attack. At first, I had no idea how to cope or how to explain it to anyone. It was one of the most frightening, debilitating experiences I’ve  ever had. This first panic attack was triggered by a traumatic event. Thereafter, anything that reminded me of that event sent me into a tailspin. Fortunately, I received good mental health care, began an antianxiety medication, and learned coping skills. I rarely have them anymore; I know what the triggers are, but I can still occasionally be blindsided and it’s not fun.

As it turns out anxiety disorders are one of the most prevalent of all mental health diagnoses. An estimated 31.1% of U.S. adults experience some type of anxiety disorder  during their lifetime. Unfortunately, they tend to be more common in adolescents and young adults when we have fewer coping skills and are less aware of how life can trigger behavioral responses. Many young people go years without a diagnosis and if they spiral out of control can lead to much more serious consequences. Embarrassment and lack of mental health awareness can contribute to feeling as though this is a stigma that needs to be hidden.

In the Chapter from Luke that our gospel reading comes from, anxiety is a prevalent theme. From the very beginning of the chapter Jesus repeatedly warns do not fear, do not be anxious. In the RSV version one of the subtitles is “Do not worry.”  In today’s verses the focus shifts to division, division that is brought on by fear, fear of the future, fear of not having enough, of not being first in line or fear brought on by distrust.

Jesus’ condemnation of the hypocrites for trusting the weather but not his voice, are as relevant today as ever. Our anxiety as a nation, as humanity in general is ramped up to a fevered pitch. Families and friends are divided more fiercely by opposing viewpoints than in recent memory. Our divisions seem relevant, necessary, but are they? Do our lives depend on our being right? Sometimes they do, but rarely. Has our anxiety about the future, our individual prosperity become so strong that we’ve tuned Jesus out? Forgotten to put “love our neighbor as ourselves” first? In as many ways as I can count, we are just as shortsighted, just as obstinate, and dependent on our own devices as those Jesus is addressing. One might say as rebellious as a three-year old toddler who refuses to listen when warned that the pan is hot. We insist on touching, don’t we?

I admit, I’m anxious about the events of this week. I’m worried we will forget what’s really important. Not out of a real need to protect ourselves but out of a need to express our anxiety, fear, and distrust. Love for our neighbor doesn’t only apply to those we like. It also applies to the one who has a dog who barks all night. And yes, it applies to those whose politics don’t agree with ours. In a Richard Rohr meditation, he advises there may be a way, “not to cure us from being human but to help us become more humane, because in the end we are all connected, woven as Dr. King said in ‘an inescapable web of mutuality.’”

When we can see and name one another as children of God, as brothers and sisters in Christ, then we are more apt to see others as humans like ourselves, as someone we can talk to, “to collaborate for the common good (R. Rohr).”   We are more apt to look to God as our only source of real truth. For the love of Christ, for the love of God let’s commit to giving it a try. The worst that could happen is you may find you have a little less anxiety and more peace. And who knows, maybe a few more friends.  

Faithfully,

Sally+

Reflection and Challenge : What triggers your anxiety? What are your coping skills? When you are anxious is God in your tool box? If not, why?