In John’s Gospel, Jesus passes a blind man and the disciples ask this question “Who sinned, the blind man or his parents?” The question was embedded in the disciples’ consciousness because in those days it was believed that sicknesses, diseases, and disabilities were God’s punishment for sins committed by the person or their ancestral family. Some of these same perceptions can be heard today when we hear faithful people ask, “Why did God do this to me?” “What did I do wrong” or “Why does God allow suffering to exist” or when someone tells us “God gave you this cross to make you a better person.”

In John’s Gospel, Jesus’ answer to why the man was blind was “it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.” Some might take this to mean God gave the blind man this disease so that he can be a witness to God’s miracles. I don’t believe God gives anyone diseases or illnesses. Diseases, illnesses, disabilities can be brought on by many factors such as genetic vulnerabilities, environmental factors, or poor lifestyle choices but not as part of God’s plan. God gives us His unconditional love not illnesses. When as part of our human condition we have a disease or disability, Jesus in the Gospel is telling us that God’s grace is transformative. We can see light and be light even in the darkness of an illness or disease. Belief and trust in God gives us a vision of hope rather than a life of darkness.

In our suffering we can identify with the suffering of Christ who used His suffering for our redemption. Cardinal Bernadin, who suffered greatly from false accusations and pancreatic cancer, in his book “The Gift of Peace” states that “our participation in the paschal mystery - in the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ - brings a certain freedom: the freedom to let go, to place our selves completely in His hands, knowing ultimately that He will win out.” Redemptive suffering means we do not allow the suffering or illness to paralyze us or embitter us but rather it graces us. In her book “Sacred Therapy: Jewish Spiritual Teachings on Emotional Healing and Inner Wholeness” Estelle Frankel says "….spiritual healing is essentially about breaking out of the narrow prison of our own personal heartbreak to enter the heavenly palace of compassion and connection. It is about how the human heart can be broken open, so that the veils that keep us separate from one another and from our connection to the divine can be removed." As Catholics it means we allow the light of Christ to shine through us as we become visible witnesses of God’s unconditional love. As Jesus suffered and showed us the way, we too are called to step out beyond our suffering. We are called not to be defined by our physical or mental disabilities, we are called to be people of hope known by our capacity to love and to bring God’s grace into a world hurt by a lack of compassion and justice for those who are disabled physically or mentally ill. When we have suffered an illness or disability we have also been given a gift of compassion for others who have experienced something similar. By sharing that gift of compassion we can bring light and hope to those in darkness and despair.

The blind man in the John’s gospel was sent to wash in the pool of Siloam - Siloam meaning sent. He was called to immerse himself in Jesus Christ so that he may witness to the power of Jesus love. Just as the blind man was transformed, he came to believe, and was a witness of God’s love. So too we can be transformed when we wash in the pool of the one sent by God, we can become a sign to others in need.

The blind man in the gospel story could not worship in the temple because he was blind and labeled with the stigma that came with the disease. Unfortunately, we too live in a stigmatizing culture that looks down on people with disabilities and diseases. Disability or illness is sometimes viewed as a weakness, people with disabilities or diseases are seen by some as no longer useful. People, who are blind or deaf, in a wheel chair or mentally ill, are sometimes seen as less than whole. The stigma for people with mental illness and other illnesses is so great that some do not want to even come out of their houses. Rejected by the community they feel rejected by God. Yet in reality, people with disabilities show us the path to God – they help us to see!

Recently, I attended a meeting on disabilities. Among those attending were people in wheelchairs, people who were blind, people who were deaf and people who were mentally ill. They were there because they were leaders not people with diseases or disabilities. One is a motivational speaker, another runs parish programs, another heads a program to distribute medical supplies. All were people letting the works of God be visible through them. The purpose of the meeting was to spread the word about the ABILITIES of all God’s people. That people should be known not by their diseases but by the gifts they have to offer. The participants were transformed and now were bringing the message of hope to others.

At the close of John’s story about the blind man, Jesus says to the Pharisees: “if you were blind you would have no sin, but now you are saying “we see” so your sin remains.”

Who are the blind in our world? Who are the disabled and infirmed? Are they those who have physical and mental disabilities? Or are they those who are disabled by their prejudice and think they see but really don’t!

Deacon Tom Lambert

“God has blessed you with life and with differing talents and gifts. Through these you are able to serve him and society in various ways. While some people's contributions seem great and others' more modest, the witness value of our efforts is always a sign of hope for everyone.

Sometimes it is challenging to find a reason for what appears only as a difficulty to be overcome or even pain to be endured. Yet our faith helps us to break open the horizon beyond our own selves in order to see life as God does.

God's unconditional love, which bathes every human individual, points to a meaning and purpose for all human life. Through his cross, Jesus in fact draws us into his saving love (cf. Jn 12:32) and in so doing shows us the way ahead -- the way of hope which transfigures us all, so that we too become bearers of that hope and charity for others.”

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The St Thomas mental health ministry, Palatine Illinois, provides monthly speakers and opportunities for discussion on issues related to mental illness. For more information contact Deacon Tom Dunne - 847-991-8050.

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Thank you for inviting me to your parish. My name is Deacon Tom Lambert a founding member of the Archdiocesan Commission on Mental illness. I am a past president of NAMI – ILLINOIS and the parent of a person with a mental illness. I refer to the archdiocesan commission as an unfunded Gospel mandate. We are a group of volunteers, parents of people with mental illnesses, people with mental illness, professionals and friends who support and advocate for people with mental illness and their families. According to the national institute of health, about one in four people have a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year – one in 17 suffers with persistent and severe mental illness – These are biologically based brain diseases such as major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (ocd), panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder (ptsd), and borderline personality disorder. Four of the ten leading causes of disability are mental disorders, Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for young people and over 90% of all suicides are due to depression or a mental disorder.

The facts are Mental illness is a major medical issue in our communities yet it is one of the least talked about and least supported diseases. In the gospel today we hear about the people with leprosy, who were excluded from society due to the stigma of their disease. Some would say the “lepers” in today’s society are those who have mental illnesses. The good news is that these diseases are treatable and manageable – 70 to 90% of people receiving the proper combination of psychiatric care, medication, therapy, community and spiritual support have significant reduction of symptoms and improved quality of life. Early detection is crucial. Unfortunately, people are often reluctant to get help or seek treatment because of the stigma society puts on the disease. And once people do seek help they run into a mental health system that often fails them due to lack of programs and funding; or people lack enough health insurance for adequate care; or people do not get the continuity of services that are needed for recovery. (our experience) It is often said “a society can be measured by how it treats its most vulnerable members.” Clearly that is a point Jesus made in his “Last Judgement” parable from Mathew. If that is true, in Illinois we have failed miserably. The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill gave Illinois a rating of “f” for its care of people with mental illness. (1 of 6 states to receive an F) -- That is morally unconscionable. DMH (Departemnt Mental Health) studies indicate 50% of people with mental illness in Illinois do not get treatment they need Sadly, the largest single deliverer of mental health services in the state of Illinois is Cook County jail. In Illinois, there are more people being treated in prisons and jails than in all the public and private hospitals combined. For the general prison population, dep’t of justice says 50% are in need of mental health services. At least 12,000 people are living in nursing homes where they are not receiving the appropriate care they need. The number of homeless people with mental illness is estimated to be between 35 and 50%. (something I can attest to when I open the door at the parish where I work and spend time with people who need someone who will listen to them) Hospital emergency rooms are crowded with people awaiting services because the public health system is overloaded. Many people with mental illness are in recovery and lead normal lives. Due to the stigma, you and I are probably not aware of their illness because they are not likely to tell anyone at work or in the neighborhood that they have a major mental illness. Other people are able to work but -- at times find the disease debilitating. (Ironically they might have insurance when they work but not need it and no insurance when not working and in need of it) Others like my daughter will never be able to work and have to rely on public assistance and programs to help them throughout their life. Unfortunately we live in a society that values a person’s worth based on productivity and wealth rather than for who they are as a person. So often people with mental illnesses are never given a chance because ---- rather than seeing a person -- people see a disease. Throughout my sharing with you, you’ll hear me refer to “people with mental illness” rather than “the mentally ill.” Language is very important. No one wants to be known by the disease they have – they want to be known as the person they are.

When given a chance anything is possible: Lincoln had depression, Churchill had bi-polar disease, The founder of the order that founded Notre Dame U had bi-polar disease.

As followers of Jesus Christ we are called to uphold the dignity of every individual. Everyone has value and worth. When we do this - anything is possible. Pope John Paul II in his talk “The image of God in people with mental illness” said that the church will not hesitate to become the voice of those who are not listened to when they speak up, not to demand charity, but to ask for justice. My brothers and sisters, today I am asking you to speak up - not for - but with people who have mental illness and their families. We are communities of hope , compassion and justice. People with mental illness and their families need our support. The medical community can only do so much, we are all people with a mind, a body and a soul. We the community of faith can nourish the soul especially the soul of a wounded or suffering person ----through the sacraments and our loving outreach as a community of Faith. In the gospel today ten were physically cured but there was really only one complete cure. The Samaritan came back to Jesus because he understood total healing – wholeness - comes in the context of our spiritual relationship with God. And when we walk with those who are wounded or suffering in any way not only are they transformed but so are we. Which is why as Church we are called to make the poor and suffering our priorty.

As followers of Christ, I ask you to: Pray for people with mental illnesses and their families, we believe in the power of prayer. What a comfort to know that the community is praying for us. Be a welcoming community, people going through crisis need to know they are not alone, that we as a community of faith are ready to walk with them and help them. Use language that doesn’t stigmatize people – we call it people first language – because we believe in and uphold the dignity of every human being, using derogatory terms is objectionable and unacceptable Encourage people who are having problems to seek help both medical and spiritual, help is out there and we have many fine groups represented here after mass that are excellent resources. Often when mental illness occurs people don’t know where to turn and need someone to walk with them to find the help they need. Be proactive in outreach because often times the illness, for example depression, keeps the person from coming to Church so we need to go to them. Answer the call not only to compassion but to justice by advocating with our legislators for funding for services for people with mental illness, job programs and housing initiatives. Mental illness funding historical gets very little and people who work in this field are underpaid. I invite you to come visit us after mass for more ideas and information about mental illness

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When we see a stain glass window in a church, we are struck by the beauty of the story it tells. The window usually depicts a story from scripture or an aspect of our faith. Taken as a whole, the window gives a complete picture of a particular story or inspiring moment. When we approach the window and look closely at the art, we see that the window is made up of many pieces of glass. The pieces have different shapes and sizes, some are large and some are tiny. We see that the pieces are made of different colors. Upon closer inspection, we see that the pieces have flaws in them, some have lines or cracks, other have tiny air bubbles in the glass. But taken together as a whole, the unique pieces, big and small, of various colors, with all their flaws transcend their individuality and come together at the hand of the artist to give a dynamic story of faith. But what happens if part of the window is missing? What if we were to remove all the brown pieces of glass, or remove the large pieces, or the ones with bubbles in them? The picture would be incomplete. We would not get the whole story. The body of Christ, the faith community, in one sense, is like a stain glass window. It lives the story of redemption and salvation in the realty of everyday life. The pieces of the story are made up of many kinds and sorts of people – young people, elderly people, married people and single people, people of color, people of different shapes and sizes, people who are divorced, people with various disabilities, etc…. Like the stained glass window, the body of Christ is made up of many parts. If we intentionally or unintentionally exclude, discriminate against or ignore one or more of the parts, we do not get the whole picture. We are missing the full story. The picture is incomplete. For people with mental illnesses the societal stigma and misperceptions of the disease often keep people from participating in our parishes because the stigma and misperception by society is felt within their own community of faith. Parishes, rather than mirroring the cultural biases of society, should be challenging those assumptions and accepting and reaching out to all people - to open doors and minds to the gifts of all God’s people. Parishes that truly welcome and include everyone in a proactive way portray the story of redemption and salvation as a clear and beautiful image of God’s Kingdom.

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The National Catholic Partnership on Disability sets forth the following framework as a guide to the Church’s ministry for and with people with mental illness:

HUMAN LIFE IS SACRED. EVERY PERSON IS CREATED IN GOD’S IMAGE.

“One of the fundamental truths of Christian belief is that each human being is created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27). The Catholic Church unconditionally embraces and faithfully proclaims this truth. It is the foundation for human dignity. Our commitment to this truth is measured through actions on behalf of the vulnerable and alienated in society, especially the poor and suffering.” Affirming the Dignity of the Mentally Ill, Nebraska Bishop’s Conference, January 2005

SINCE ALL PEOPLE ARE CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD, THEIR DIGNITY AND WORTH CANNOT BE DIMINISHED BY ANY CONDITION INCLUDING MENTAL ILLNESS.

"Whoever suffers from mental illness 'always' bears God's image and likeness in themselves, as does every human being. In addition, they 'always' have the inalienable right not only to be considered as an image of God and therefore as a person, but also to be treated as such. Pope John Paul II, International Conference for Health Care Workers, on Illnesses of the Human Mind, November 30, 1996

SUFFERING IS REDEMPTIVE WHEN UNITED TO CHRIST.

“Those who share in the sufferings of Christ are also called, through their own sufferings, to share in (eschatological) glory.” Salvifices Doloris, p22, Apostolic Letter from JohnPaul II, July 15, 1999

WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST.

“The great strength of community is the uniqueness and giftedness of each member. The more each person uses their gifts, the stronger the community and the richer the relationships in that community. People are liberated if and when they use their gifts. People are imprisoned when they are prohibited or not enabled to use their gifts. Parishes are communities with great potential to receive and nurture the giftedness of people with disability. The Christian community is one in which all people can claim an equal place and contribute through presence and action.” A pastoral document for parishes, Bishops’ Committee For The Family And For Life, Australian Catholic Bishops Conference 2004

"It is everyone's duty to make an active response; our actions must show that mental illness does not create insurmountable distances, nor prevent relations of true Christian charity with those who are its victims. Indeed it should inspire a particularly attentive attitude..." Pope John Paul II, International Conference for Health Care Workers, on Illnesses of the Human Mind, February 11, 1984

THE WORD OF GOD AFFIRMS THE DIGNITY OF ALL PEOPLE. INTERPRETATION OF SCRIPTURE SHOULD BE CONSISTENT WITH THE CURRENT UNDERSTANDING OF MENTAL ILLNESS.

“…..To interpret sacred scripture correctly, the reader must be attentive to what the human authors truly wanted to affirm and what God wanted to reveal to us by their words. In order to discover the sacred author’s intention, the reader must take into account the conditions of their time and culture, the literary genres in use at that time, and the modes of feeling, speaking, and narrating then current…...” Catechism of the Catholic Church #109, 110

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