"Job" or "Ministry"?
What is the difference between a job and a ministry? (Especially when, as in my case, the title and job description are the same: teacher.) Before joining the Sisters of Christian Charity, I had several years of experience as an elementary teacher. When I resumed my role as a teacher after initial formation, I wondered how this “ministry” would be different from my past “jobs”. Now a year and a half have passed and I’m starting to feel the difference.
The biggest difference is that my former jobs were in public schools while my present ministry is in a Catholic school. In college the professors spoke about educating the “whole child”. They spoke about addressing all needs of the children: intellectual, physical, social, emotional. For several years I did my best to educate the “whole child” in public schools. And yet I got past the initial transition into Catholic education (not only am I teaching religion class, but we can pray and talk about God throughout the day), I was able to see that I now had the great privilege of educating what is truly the whole child: intellectual, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual. I can’t imagine going back to working in public schools. Surely, one can be well educated (I was after all), but every aspect of education is more meaningful when the meaning of life itself is embraced and nurtured.
Another difference between my jobs and my ministry is in the way that I prepare for school. Certainly all of the demands for my time outside of school are the same: lesson planning, grading, keeping in touch with parents, professional development, etc. The difference now is that not only do I invite God into my classroom, but I know I need His help and strength to do this work. He strengthens and prepares me for my ministry through prayer. Mother Pauline, our foundress, who was also a teacher wrote, “Before beginning His teaching apostolate Jesus prayed and fasted; it is fitting that I should follow His example in preparing for my vocation.” And so, as hard as it is sometimes to close the laptop and enter into prayer I know that it is essential to my ministry. I see the fruits of prayer in my self as a teacher and in our classroom community.
One morning I was uncharacteristically impatient and short-tempered with the children. Later that day, having come to my senses, I apologized to the class. (Thankfully they were quick to forgive. They assured me with great sincerity and love that I was still a good teacher.) I see that need for reconciliation and the courage to admit my wrong as a fruit of my prayer.
Another time I was leaving my classroom after a busy day, arms loaded with my homework when I found myself starting to genuflect before I locked the door. First of all, I chuckled to myself and was glad to see that no one was around. But later as I thought about whatI had done, that single, small act reassures me that I’m on the right road to learning the difference between a job and a ministry. The things that happened that day in the classroom were sacred. I wish I could remember something special about that particular day, but the beauty of it all is that it was simply an ordinary day. Sure the reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic each day are important. But each step that the children and I take towards becoming saints, that’s eternal. That’s ministry.
