The body is capable of only a certain amount of physical effort before the muscles experience exhaustion. Regardless, the heart must keep beating continuously with rest periods of only a fraction of a second, every second.
A healthy adult has a heartbeat of about 60-75 beats per minute, or an average of about one beat per second. At rest, the heart pumps about 2.4 ounces of blood with each beat. During strenuous exercise, the heart can pump six to eight times that amount. Blood can surge out of the heart at a speed of 16 inches per second. Over a lifetime, the human heart will experience nearly 2.5 billion beats!
The body is capable of only a certain amount of physical effort before the muscles experience exhaustion. Regardless, the heart must keep beating continuously with rest periods of only a fraction of a second, every second.
The heart also acts as a furnace. For it to function properly, the heart must have a constant supply of fuel to keep going. The amount of oxygen the heart uses is vital. The less oxygen the heart receives, the less work it can perform.
The spiritual heart is also at the core our being and works in much the same way. It must receive proper exercise and nourishment. But unlike the physical heart, the spiritual heart has both the capacity for greatness and devising evil. The Jesus said, “out of the heart of man come evil thoughts, fornication, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a man” (Mark 7:21-23), and “a good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45).
The Prayer of Illumination said before the reading of the Gospel at each Divine Liturgy so beautifully says, “Shine in our hearts, O gracious Master, with the pure light of Your divine knowledge. Open the eyes of our minds that we may understand the teachings of Your Good News. Instill in us also the fear of Your blessed commandments, so that, having put to death all desires of the flesh, we may lead a spiritual life by pleasing You at all times by the way we think and act.” Though the spiritual heart is invisible, its desires become visible through human action. Its rightful function is to guide the decisions that a Christian makes in everyday life. It is from this core that the supernatural life of grace flows and abides.
Over time, neglect and the poor choices that we make, our hearts can grow weary, cold and indifferent toward God and others. In this condition, it wishes not to pray, receive spiritual nourishment or guidance. In this weakened state, it is at its greatest risk for spiritual heart failure.
Just like clogged arteries can rob the heart of vitality, the inner life cannot exist with a closed heart. Clearing these blockages can only be accomplished from taking the correct medicine and following the prescription given to us by Christ in the Gospel: forgiveness, reconciliation, surrender, controlling one’s passions and carrying your cross. Daily and consistent exercise reaps many physical benefits. Spiritual exercise such as prayer, acts of mercy toward others, reception of the Sacraments, all keep God’s breathe flowing in the heart, mind and soul. Yes, all this takes a conscious effort, but it is worth the work!
The renewal of your heart is one of the most important things that you can do for your soul. It is never too late to start. Saint Paul said, “Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is renewed every day” (2 Corinthians 4:16). Christ, “Who makes all things new” is knocking on the door of your heart at this very moment. (Revelation 21:5; 3:20) Will you open the door to Him? He is waiting to be the cause of many blessings in your life.
© 2006
Raymond J. Mastroberte
1/6/06