The Spirituality of Caring



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                                 * 1937 England

                 She studied medicine in Sydney
                                1975 She gave medical care to a political     opponent
 In a period of recovery from the physical and psychological effects of her ordeal (utrpení) she
joined to monastery.
In 1982 she became Medical Director of the new St Luke's Hospice in Plymouth, a position which she
held for 15 years.
She then went on to set up a palliative care service for the Plymouth hospitals.
Sheila´s lifestyle and works are influenced by belief in God, as evidenced by the quotations of
biblical texts

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žDisciples (učedník) Alone
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žPraiyng Alone

žIn this chapter she describe her life way.
žShe joined the convent, who left after 18 months.
žShe tried to live by the Gospel story about a young man and possessing a lot of property.
žThe end of the chapter is devoted to the importance of self-knowledge. Especially for people who
live alone.
žSheila draws attention to a problem that can occur when each day, each free time, each weekend we
work and we have not more time for our friends.

ž„ It is so easy, if one is single, to work during the day and get caught up (uvíznout) in meeting,
conferences and good works in evenings and weekends so that when one does suddenly find the evening
is free there is a devasting void and sense of lonneliness (osamělost) that leaves one feeeling
worthless, stupid and unvolved.“

žThis chapter deals with the importance of linking work with prayer
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žPeople who believe in God do not need to enter the monastery to be able to pray.
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žWhat is meaning word contemplative?
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žTwo categgories: acitve, contemplative
žTo better understand it divides into two categories: active and contemplative life. She likens it
to the New Testament figures of Mary and Martha.
žActive life - Marthas. This life is associated with such activities, such as nursing, teaching or
other pastoral activity.
žContemplative life – Mary. Contemplative life is associated with a special call to prayer with
a higher calling. They leave the world in order to devote (zasvětit) his life entirely (zcela,
úplně) to God.
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žFor human is prayer important. No matter how we pray, but we have to pray. Prayer can help us in
service to others.
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žPrayer should be part of our day, to pray for everything we do.
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žIn particular, it is not a question of work and prayer, but a life in which both are inexorably
(neúprosně)linked together, a prayer gives strength to the service washing of the feet, leading to
the sweetness (sladkost) of the rest in the presence of God.
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