Synopses & Reviews
Many Americans are searching for a meaningful spirituality to soften the harsh realities they face in their working and personal lives. Men and women of faith, who have trouble connecting their faith commitments to everyday life, will find in Answers from Within an affirmation of the relevance of religious faith to practical realities and a spirituality that can close the gap between the material world and the world of the spirit. From the unique background of an economist, professor, Jesuit priest, corporate board member, and former CEO of The Catholic University of America, William J. Byron, S.J., explains the revolutionary potential of a faith-based spirituality for coping with reversals in work and life. He builds on what he calls "The Pauline Criteria" (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) to show how these biblically based virtues can become pillars of support for anyone caught in the uncertainties of "the human predicament." The "answers" in Answers from Within offer a blueprint for making the workplace more humane and respectful of human dignity. They demonstrate that the person who possesses these answers can walk with God through all the challenges of life.
Synopsis
An Affirmation of the Relevance of Religious Faith to Work and Life Combining scripture, prayers, his knowledge of the corporate world, and examples from the lives of people he has counseled, William J. Byron leads us through the process of building a practical spirituality that provides a compass for people seeking to balance life and faith. Answers from Within is a unique book that includes principles of action and spiritual guidelines that can transform the way we deal with the commitments and reversals that are part of the "human predicament." Among its universal themes:
- Relating Faith to Work and Life
- Dealing with Workplace Wounds
- Managing Personal and Family Problems
- Building on Spiritual Pillars that Support Hope
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About the Author
WILLIAM J. BYRON, S.J., is a Jesuit priest, economist, and former president of The Catholic University of America. He is Distinguished Professor of Management in the School of Business at Georgetown University, and also serves as rector of the Georgetown Jesuit Community. He has authored and edited several books, including the highly praised Finding Work Without Losing Heart. Father Byron holds a doctorate in economics from the University of Maryland and was ordained a priest in 1961.
Table of Contents
Introduction.
Acknowledgments.
PART ONE: On the Relevance of Faith to Work and Life.
1. Spirituality and the Human Predicament.
2. Mixing Faith and Work.
3. Preparing for Adversity in Life and Work.
PART TWO: Dealing with Workplace Wounds.
4. Criticism.
5. Fear.
6. Betrayal.
7. False Accusations.
8. Sabotage.
9. Ingratitude.
10. Being Passed Over.
11. Being Misunderstood.
12. Prejudice.
13. Sexual Harassment.
14. Mistakes.
15. Failure.
PART THREE: Dealing with Personal and Family Problems.
16. The Single Parent.
17. Accidents.
18. Aging Gracefully.
19. Illness.
20. Insecurity.
21. Addiction.
22. Indecision.
23. Broken Promises.
24. Divorce.
25. Death of Someone Close to You.
26. Layoff.
27. Caring for a Parent Who Is Frail and Elderly.
PART FOUR: Spiritual Pillars for the World of Work.
28. Second Starts.
29. Faith at Work.
30. Forgiveness.
31. Honesty.
32. Creativity.
33. Helping Others.
34. Hope.
35. Looking Up.