The scourge of anxiety and depression, which afflicts the world of today, is real. 

Many people, both young and old, suffer from untold anxieties and concerns. Some of these anxieties and concerns are legitimate, others less so. But the fact remains that this scourge is very real, and it has little to no regard for age, gender, race, socio-economic status, or the like. It is a problem of pandemic proportions, and barring the miraculous, it is here to stay.

Although anxiety and depression can afflict any number of persons, it would seem that this scourge—this pandemic—has a predilection for young people. What should be a happy and wholesome life can be darkened, and frighteningly so, by the affliction of which I write.

Admittedly, some of us may not suffer in this way, but all of us, without exception, have encountered someone who has. Within our families, communities, parishes, you name it, countless people are hurting, are suffering due to the indiscriminate and volatile nature of this disease.

So what is the solution to this sort of problem? To what—or to whom—can we turn?

Jesus. 

We must turn to Jesus. 

Jesus is close to those who suffer, especially those who suffer from anxiety and depression.

Even now, even today, Jesus says: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy and my burden light” (Matt 11:28–30).

For those who suffer from the scourge of anxiety and depression, the struggle is real; the burden, heavy. But lest we think that this struggle is lost on Jesus, or unknown by him, we would do well to remember that Jesus is so very close to those who suffer. In fact, when the darkness of depression and anxiety begins its descent upon the mind, it is none other than Jesus (our sweet Jesus!) who rushes to the side of his beloved, in order to lift this proverbial veil from our eyes. 

But Jesus is not alone in this endeavor, either. For where there is Jesus, there is also Mary. And in the midst of this present scourge, Mary is not simply one advocate among many, but the advocate upon whom we call, upon whom we must rely.

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Photo by M.T ELGassier on Unsplash