"Health is not contagious; sickness is."
It is true, alas! certain sicknesses do spread, not only sicknesses of the body but also those of the soul, in particular, sadness and down-heartedness; someone who easily gives way to feelings or is readily disturbed, diminishes or at least risks diminishing the morale of the whole group.
But is it true that health is not contagious?
Bodily health we need not discuss, but what about that of the soul? If it is true that one person's dejection weighs on a whole group, cannot the serene joy of an individual, on the contrary, uplift the whole group? Nothing is more contagious than enthusiasm! One alert step forward and a whole assembly moves into action.
Who can deny the inspirational force of a strong morale, of a judicious and serene optimism rising, not from simplicity of intelligence, but from interior strength of the will; not from an imagination prompt to distort reality or from an over-exalted sensitiveness, but from balance, a sane outlook, and a profound faith.
Joy spreads. By our joy we must win others to joy. Our happiness should enkindle theirs.
As a child, the future Ursuline, Marie de l'Incarnation (Marie Guyard)" was very joyful; she imagined that on that account her mother thought her unfit for the religious life. "I believe that my mother thought me unfit for the cloister because of my gay and pleasant disposition which she considered incompatible with the virtue of religion."
The contrary is true. The religious life needs and must have only cheerful souls.
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Adapted from Meditations for Religious
by Father Raoul Plus, S.J. (© 1939, Frederick Pustet Co.)
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