inoculated with Love

University researchers have found repeatedly that persons who engage in charitable works have above-average resistance to colds and flu. And expanding compassion improves one's disease immunity. Even witnessing other's acts of compassion will increase one's store of immunoglobulin E, thus raising one's immunity to diesase.

Remarkable as this finding is, there is a more important immunizing effect of loving compassion - namely, immuity to selfishness. Since the biochemistry of the human body was designed by God, it is not surprising that his own word reinforces this scientific fact with appropriate advice: " do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others" (Phil 2:3-4).

Spiritual immunity against the common sin of selfishness and self-pity results from altruism, for love "is not self-seeking" (1 Cor 12:5). "Watch yourself, or you...may be tempted, Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (Gal 6:1-2). "If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture 'Love your neighbor as yourself,' you are doing right, " says James (2:8). "Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up...Even Christ did not please himself" (Rom 15:2-3). Trenchantly Paul sums up this immunity treatment: "Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others" (1 Cor 10:24). 

This excerpt is from the book One-Minute Meditations for Busy People, by John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., originally published by Servant Publications. It and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/video recordings can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408 or www.Catholicbooks.net