Today is the feast of St. Camillus de Lellis, patron of hospitals, of the sick and of those who take care of the sick. By the grace of providence the gospel for today, Saturday of the 14th week of Ordinary time, exhorts us not to be afraid of those that kill only the body, rather be afraid of those that destroy both the soul and the body.
Sickness kills the body. If we allow it, it can also affect the soul. But in faith we can decide not to. Oftentimes we are helpless in the face of the fact that sickness weakens our body. But we can decide not to let sickness weaken our soul. Be not afraid of sickness. But be afraid of sin.
Sickness is part of the natural course of the material world. It can be very freigthening. But St. Camillus reminds us today that we should not let the fear of sickness paralyze us, for the pain of illness can never be greater than the comfort of the love of God. Like St. Camillus we are called to be ministers to the sick.
We pray to St. Camillus that through our concern and care for the sick - our family, our friends and neighbours - that they may never give in to fear and despair; through us may they experience the consolation of the gentle mercy of the Lord.
Let us not be afraid of sickness, for it can only destroy our bodies. Let us be afraid of sin, for it destroys not only our body but also our soul. Sickness separates us from the rest of the world, while sin separates us from God. What can be sicker than that?
