7/19/09 Listen: A Cure for Compassion Fatigue

One of my favorite television characters is the Rev. Lovejoy of The Simpsons.  I have never really been a Simpsons fan, to tell you the truth; but an old friend of mine gave me a small, plastic Rev. Lovejoy figurine as a Christmas gift several years ago.  On the reverend’s back is a tiny button which, when pushed, plays one of several original Rev. Lovejoy quotes – words you would never expect a preacher to say – such as, “It’s all over people!  We don’t have a prayer!” or “I’m a shepherd without a flock.”  My favorite of these recorded quotes is, “There’s more to being a minister than not caring about people.”  I laugh, even as I know at least a little of where such cynicism comes from. 

Over the last decade sociologists and psychologists have written a great deal about an emerging syndrome known as “compassion fatigue” – a gradual diminishment of one’s personal reserves of compassion toward others in need.  It’s a form of burn-out among those whose lives and work are centered around helping and caring for others.  Health care workers, social workers, lawyers, clergy are high on the list of candidates; but so, too, are moms and dads, or adult children of aging parents, or full-time caregivers. 

It’s no secret that genuine compassion and intentional caring can be exhausting work.  Over time, if we have not drawn deeply from our own source of life and love, we find that we are running on empty; we grow resentful, depressed, cynical and full of guilt; our physical health suffers.  Before we know it, our compassion turns ineffective – perhaps even destructive to ourselves or others.

This Sunday we’ll look at some of the causes and signs of compassion fatigue, and offer some viable solutions that are deeply rooted in our own Christian tradition.  I hope you’ll join us for this relevant message.  In advance, please read Mark 6:30-34, 53-56.

See you Sunday!
 
Rev. Mark