Sharing the Darkness: The Spirituality of Caring

by Sheila Cassidy

This book is about the nature and cost of Christian discipleship in the front line of caring. It is warm-hearted, honest and a highly personal book, remarkable for its sense of hope and celebration. A rich book which will strike a chord with carers of all kinds and appeal to anyone trying to reconcile their Christian calling with the demands of contemporary living; a book to challenge and inspire.

Genres: Spirituality, Christian

177 pages, Paperback

First published October 10, 1988

Reviews

[David Mitchell]

I approached this book with great caution. The title made me apprehensive that I would be drawn into darkness - into the night - and that I would need much salve to re-enter the light. Yet, the book is full of light and my apprehension was unfounded.

The book neatly builds to an incredible hypothesis. The hypothesis is based on the author's lived experience as a doctor in a hospice for the dying. The hypothesis partly rests on Paul's words in Colossians 1:24:

"Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church."

The hypothesis is this: "that Jesus by suffering redeemed the world to the notion that all unwanted suffering is redemptive".

[Neil Saltmarsh]

Sheila Cassidy has written a book of unflinching honesty, and for that I am very grateful. This sharing enables us to share our own deficiencies and to be a better carer. The unfolding of Gospel excerpts highlights differing aspects of the carer and gives thoughtful reflections on her life and life in general hospice. It never steamrolls through theological conundrums and expresses that her sense of mystery enables her to be okay with not knowing at times. I would highly recommend this book for all who work or seek to work as a carer.

[John Hayward]

Sheila Cassidy’s “Sharing the Darkness: The Spirituality of Caring” is an intriguing exploration of the ministry of presence in caring juxtaposed with the challenges of community life and the theology of suffering. The first I found insightful; the second was clearly highly personal and cathartic for the author; while the third I felt occasionally strayed from the One who is the Way, the Truth and the Life, though rightly finished up in Colossians 1:24.

[Julie]

Actually finished this ages ago. Very good insights about dealing with the terminally ill and their relatives, and the toll that takes on those provide pastoral/palliative support.

[Jo Scoble]

Such an inspiring and honest book. So well written, it makes me itch to do something meaningful with my life as a Christian and not worry about the minutiae of life!
Read it.

[Sandi Smoker]

Sharing the Darkness, written by palliative care doctor Sheila Cassidy, explores the meaning and cost of caring. After surviving imprisonment and torture at the hands of her Chilean captors, she returns to America for a brief respite in a monastic community. She eventually settles in the United Kingdom, as the medical director of an eight bed hospice care facility, and writes from her personal observation of caring for the dying. Therefore, Cassidy speaks from both caregiver and care-receiver perspectives.
I found the book compelling and candid. Cassidy calls for earthy compassion and takes a hard look at systemic injustice – its perspective of human disposability and its dissonance with Christ’s paschal redemption. For Cassidy, everything hinges on God’s view of the infinite worth of people.

[Gwyneth]

This book was recommended by friends working at a hospice in Kampala. The author writes about dealing with suffering and caring for those who suffer. Highly recommended for those in a helping profession or for anyone trying to understand the "darkness" of the world. Has anyone read anything else by her? I am interested in reading more.