Fr. Dick’s Spiritual Reflection–2/11/2026
“Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care”
On this date Feb. 11, 1751, America’s first hospital opens its doors to care for the sick/poor wandering the streets of Philadelphia. It was co-founded by Ben Franklin.
Jesus taught that caring for the sick was a direct act of serving HIM. The verse, Mt. 25:40 says, “Whatever you do for these brothers and sisters of Mine, you do for Me.” It was, for Him, a labor of love.
My reflection is a debt of gratitude for those who take care of the sick, especially the nurses. They are the angels in hospitals and retirement centers. They remind us that the vulnerable need help and assistance and that our call is to make sure all of us have health care. Of course, I believe that if you are “pro-life” surely you believe in health care for all.
So, I thank Ben Franklin for realizing the sick/poor wandering the streets of Philadelphia need help. I thank Jesus for challenging us to the corporal work of mercy taking care of the sick.
Finally, I am grateful for all you who visit these special people in retirement centers and hospitals. You let them know they belong to a bigger family, “God’s!“