Word to the Wise
Thursday, January 13, 2011 - Wednesday in the First Week in Ordinary Time
[Hebrews 2:14-18 and Mark 1:29-39]Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, "Everyone is looking for you." He told them, "Let us on on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come."
The early success of Jesus' ministry shows that success comes with a price. "Everyone is looking for you!" The only way he can have some time to himself is to get up very early and find a "deserted place" to pray! I encounter this problem frequently in my retreat ministry with priests and deacons. It will manifest itself in an admission that the requirement that the priest/deacon say the Liturgy of the Hours every day is simply not being met. My first question after hearing this is, "Do you pray at all?" Those responses can be very interesting!
The newly ordained priest/deacon discovers early-on that the depth of human need is a "bottomless pit." What is NOT bottomless is the minister! No matter how gifted he or she may be, their internal resources are finite and require renewal and "maintenance" if the long term effort is to be sustained! The common term of description for a failure to do this is "burn out." In this state, cynicism about the church and bitterness at the apparent lack of gratitude on the part of the laity and the bishop/religious superior can take hold. This is not something that occurs only to ministers. It is common to most of the "traditional" professions. The expression is heard: "He/she is married to his/her career!"
Taking time off for spiritual/physical/mental renewal is essential for effective ministry both in the short and long term. Every once in awhile, I hear a priest say, "There just isn't enough time for prayer or fun." I have to challenge them and say, "The problem is not with time or all the needs out there. The problem is with your refusal to admit you are not the Messiah!" I point out that the one whom we call the Messiah had to get away from the crowds as well!
The questions may seem impertinent but I think folks should ask them of their priests, deacons and other ministers: Are you taking time for prayer and recreation? Are you taking care of yourself? When do you go "on retreat?" Do you take a day off? (Yes, I know, I know! There are a few who go too far in the other direction and are never available, but I find them to be the exception in my experience.) Such questions may be life-saving and effective burn-out prevention. Showing care FOR the pastors health seems better to me than having to TAKE CARE OF of one who has become dysfunctional! AMEN
config
view
logs
4096.0 KB
106 ms
4
