If I Have Not Love

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 1 Corinthians 13:1...

The following paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 13 by a Mexican doctor gives thoughtful insight into the place of love in the medical life.

  • Though I become a famous scientist or practising physician, and I display in my office many diplomas and degrees, and I am considered as an excellent teacher or convincing speaker; but have no love, I am just a sounding brass or tinkling cymbal.
  • And though I have the gift of being an unusual clinician making the most difficult diagnoses; and understand all the mysteries of the human body; and feel sure I can treat any kind of disease, even cancer; but have no love, I am nobody.
  • And though I invest all my money to build the best facilities, buy the best equipment, have the most prominent physicians for the sake of my patients; and I devote all my time for their care, even to the point of neglecting my own family or myself; but have not love, it profiteth me nothing.
Help me, Lord, to appreciate a right perspective,
the perspective of love, in all aspect of my medical life.
And help me to put it into effect in a way that pleases you.

Further reading: 1 Cor 13:1-3 (in another version).

EC

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Love is an Excellent Medicine

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An Eye for an Eye