Page 25 - LOTN Autumn Issue 54 2023

FAITH AND CULTURE

for self-care to enable one to be a better minister to others. One and there he prayed” (Mark 1:35).
of his many writings, The Book of Pastoral Care, is full of wisdom The idea of balance in one’s ministry has been adopted by
drawn from his own life experiences. It is a practical handbook other saints throughout the years. For instance, St Teresa of
that was used to guide the works and spiritual lives of the clergy Ávila (1515-1582) wrote in The Interior Castle, “Works are
of the 6th century and many others since. what the Lord wants! He desires that if you see a Sister who is
Burnout in any professional sense must surely be a difficult sick to whom you can bring some relief, you have compassion
experience, but if faith is the reason a ministry is undertaken on her and not worry about losing this devotion”. But it was
to begin with, burnout can affect this faith. Burnout can be an particularly St Gregory’s in-depth writings that encourage us to
additional factor in pushing someone away from the faith they turn to the Lord for equilibrium.
once loved. And this must surely be one of the worst things that And balance is not just good advice, but a must. St Gregory
could happen to those answering the call of ministry. Their “Yes” stated, “It is necessary that the attention that is given to the
should never result in a falling away from their faith altogether. external concerns of laity must be kept to a certain limit”. Giving
St Gregory, however, described balance, or consideratio, as the oneself completely without moderation risks overstretching. If a
way forward. The idiom “too much of a good thing” says it all. person can give their best while also preserving energy through
We may well enjoy our ministry in helping others grow in their self-care, the eventual result is more likely to be the prevention
relationship with God, having discerned it as a true vocational of burnout.
calling. However, pushing oneself until there is nothing left to According to St Gregory creating a better self makes for a
give would achieve the opposite. But particularly by reading His person who is better equipped to minister to others. I recall
holy word in scripture, and spending time with Him in prayer, Jesus visiting Martha and Mary in Luke 10:38-42. We learn that
this much needed balance can be maintained or even restored. “Mary has chosen the better part”, but this does not mean that
Thus, while going on holiday or getting a massage might seem Martha’s part was unimportant. And it is this balance described
like a good way to forget stress and trouble, this is not what by St Gregory and illustrated by Mary’s contemplative life and
St Gregory advocated. According to him, in times of doubt Martha’s active life that will eventually create a fruitful ministry
spiritual leaders should direct their attention to knowing when that all of us can benefit from.
to take a breather, to serve others by helping oneself, and to turn
to the Lord in whose name ministerial work is done. Even Jesus Kirsten Schouwenaars-Harms is a parishioner of St Thomas',
took time to spend with his Father: “In the morning, while it Keith, and a doctoral student at St Mary's University,
was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, Twickenham where she is working towards a doctorate in
Ministry.

MAUREEN WOODHEAD meditating on these texts and her conclusions are not only
thought-provoking and challenging but also stimulating
and refreshing.
Equal but Different is a comprehensive guide not just
Equal but Different: What the to reinterpreting the sacred texts but explaining how
Bible Really Says About Women texts can be read in different ways, leading us to form
Author: Jane Coll conclusions which are, above all, more positive and tend
Paperback: 244 pages to show women in a more favourable light rather than a
Publisher: Independent - Available stereotypical view of women whose moral behaviour is at
from Amazon best questionable.
February 4, 2023 This is not a straightforward commentary or an academic
ISBN-13: 979-8374601978 dissertation. Instead, the book has been designed in
List Price: £6.50 such a way as to facilitate group discussion with Jane’s
own interpretations stimulating and encouraging the
expression of diverse opinions among the group members.
his is the author's second book which emerged Is the book an explanation, an apology, an academic
from the 'left over' research notes for her first book, dissertation, an elucidation, an explication or an
THandmaids of the Lord: Women Deacons in the Catholic interpretation? Perhaps any one of these descriptions might
Church (published in 2013). apply. It is certainly not a straightforward commentary.
The title of this new book comes from the writings of The book has been presented in such a way that groups
Pope St John Paul II who often wrote about the need for can use it for further discussion and the individual can
both society and the Church to recognise the equality and use it for personal study and development. Jane’s own
dignity of women. interpretations are helpful in encouraging the reader to
The author has spent many hours researching and delving take a fresh perspective and deepen their understanding
deeper into the sacred scriptures, gleaning highlights from of a given event. She helps us to reach more constructive
the Church Fathers and commentators such as the New conclusions, and to see women in a positive and better
Jerome Biblical Commentary to name but a few. In the New light than perhaps history has judged them.
Testament section the author draws from classic writers Jane Coll concludes that "it is not that women should
such as St Francis de Sales and St Benedict, the founder of have exactly the same roles as men but that they should
Western monasticism. have exactly the same religious/social and political value."
The author has clearly spent much time systematically

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