5th Week of Easter - Health of Body

"But when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will teach you all the truth." St. Mark, 16:13.

In March, 1938, I had the unforgettable experience of a visit to the Leper Hospital at Carville, Louisiana. The little, old nun who took Father Kipp, Father Kelly and myself through the buildings and grounds, had been working there for many years.

Before we started she told us not to touch anyone or anything. She opened and closed all doors, meanwhile holding her hands out horizontally before her. The wonderful work of the Sisters of Charity was inspiring, as was the cheerful, respectful greeting of the people they served.

When we returned to the main office, Sister put her hands into a solution, to kill any infection. There was no anxiety or worry in her whole bearing, but there was carefulness and caution.

That nun was keeping two of the main requirements of the Fifth Commandment: "Thou shalt not kill." There is much more to this law than the forbidding of murder and suicide. I would like to point out what the Fifth Commandment tells us to do.

1. The Fifth Commandment obliges us to take a reasonable, sensible care of our health. The proper care of the body is the proper care of a gift of God. Life and health are precious gifts. We must preserve them by:
A. Sufficient sleep and rest. Many weaken their health and shorten their lives by too little rest.

B. A balanced diet, consisting of a variety, without too much of any one kind.

C. Proper exercise, especially in the fresh air and sunshine.

2. The Catholic ideal is to take good care of this richest treasure in the world-health. Why?

A. To make the best possible use of your life you must be physically fit. To serve God and our fellowman requires physical fitness.

B. Love of self demands it. We hurt ourselves if we neglect to take care of the body.

C. Many temptations are caused by poor physical condition: bad temper, unkindness, impurity, and neglect of duties in your state of life.

3. We are also bound to respect the health and life of others. Selfishly and cruelly to deny others the means for taking proper care of the health is to violate the Fifth Commandment.

The Sister in my story fulfilled both these obligations. She was very careful about her own health, even though she gave her all to serving the good citizens of Carville. She used sensible precautions against contracting leprosy, even though every day she was exposed to it.

On the other hand she did everything possible to help others regain and retain their health. In fact, she was giving her life to taking care of the sick, just as hundreds of thousands of Catholic nuns have done every day throughout God's world.

To risk one's health or life without a serious reason is a serious sin. Foolhardy feats performed for fame or money or a thrill can be sinful, like dangerous auto racing, dare-devil stunts on the stage or in the circus. Reckless taking of chances is sinful, like trying to beat a train to the crossing, taking risks while swimming or diving or boating or hunting, careless handling of guns, exposing oneself to contagious diseases. Seriously sinful are drunken driving and driving while you are sleepy. You are risking your own life and the life of others. Whatever harms your own health or the health of others; whatever needlessly risks your own life or the life of others is a mortal sin.

For a grave reason certain people are allowed to risk their lives and their health. Doctors, nurses and priests are required to take care of the contagiously sick and diseased, even at the risk of contracting the disease themselves. Priests are even required to risk their lives to bring the Sacraments to one who might be lost if denied them. Policemen, firemen, soldiers, missionaries, especially in foreign lands, often carry their life in their hands. They have a sufficient reason. Women in child-birth also have a reason, the best of reasons for risking health and life.

Even those permitted to risk their health, are bound to take precautions. That was the case with the grandmotherly Sister who took us through the leper asylum. She was exposed to danger, but was not reckless.

A word to the young. By the young I include everyone up to forty. Take care of your health. Youth seems to have a surplus of strength and vitality. It seems exhaustless. Nevertheless, many a person pays dearly in later life for excesses during the teens, twenties and thirties. Far be it from me to curb the enjoyment of those years when health is with you. But any investment you make in health during youth pays rich dividends later on. Don't wait until you are overweight or short of breath or flabby of muscle before you adopt some sensible system of sleep and diet and exercise. Start now, take a reasonable care of your health. Don't be finicky and fussy about it, but be sensible.

Jesus tells us that the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, will come and teach us all truth. I am sure that the Holy Spirit will be interested in showing you how to preserve your health and your life. Is not your body the temple of the Holy Spirit?Take sensible care of that temple. Respect that temple in others. Then you will be keeping the Fifth Commandment in a positive way. Amen.
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Adapted from Talks on the Commandments
by Fr. Arthur Tonne, OFM (© 1948)