Madness and the believer

I find the issues around the subject of mental illness and Christians rather disturbing. Because of this, here's one of the things that appeared in our parish magazine this month:

Loving as Christ Loved Us
The subject of mental illness has cropped up a lot recently and I am saddened at the response of many to this subject.
People have used words like ‘locked up’ or ‘managed’ I get the feeling that this is an area many of us struggle with. And as we struggle, I get the feeling that a man, somewhere in time, is holding a scroll of the prophet Isaiah, and reading thus:

"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor;

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to the captives,

And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

To proclaim the year of the LORD’s favour, and the day of vengeance of our God;

To comfort all who mourn; giving them beautiful headdress instead of ashes,

The oil of gladness instead of mourning,

The garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;

that they may be called oaks of righteousness,

The planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified."

If we cannot stand with those who know the Lord and have broken minds;

If we cannot stand with those who know the Lord and have broken lives;

If we cannot weep with those who weep, grieve with those who grieve, love those who are unloveable and yet know the Lord, what hope is there for the lost?

What hope is there for the Church?

Who can be saved?

What reason is there for His rising up today?



I wonder what the response will be?

Pax