A way back to love

So many lives could be improved, even saved, if only we took seriously-believed in our core and applied in our lives-the words of our Lord Jesus. Like in today's gospel, He Himself reassures us there is nothing to be troubled about if we have faith in Him. Last November 2016, the DoH Philippine Health Statistics reported that recorded suicide cases in the Philippines have increased in the past 20 years, peaking in 2013 with 2,053 victims, 342 of whom were aged between 20 and 24. Of these persons, 279 were male, 63 female, and theyweredriven to end their lives mainly because of hopelessness leading to depression.

Depressed persons think their insurmountable problems give them no hope for a future. Mental health professionals name two approaches to deal with these cases: biologically based or intrapersonally based-the former uses anti-depressant drugs, while the latter aims to change the depressed person's outlook on life from negative to positive by listening to and talking with them. Although the second approach takes longer to take effect, it is believed to be the more effective, since the individual's depression is aggravated by his/her own belief that no one understands or sympathizes with them. Can you imagine what a healthy relationship with Jesus can do to any human being? A friendly and intimate "conversation" with Jesus begun early in life-as soon as a child starts to communicate-can grow to be a precious depression-preventing tool in adult life! Who says Christianity is impractical? (The fact that the Philippines is still #162 on the Who Health Organization's List of 183 Countries by Suicide Rate (2015) could perhaps be traced to our collective belief in a Father who provides for His children. As a nation we can target a zero-suicide rate promoting a healthy communication link with the Lord, beginning with ourselves. And as soon as we sense a member having a "troubled heart" we can lend a compassionate ear and offer a way back to love.