There are many places within the Bible which describe a terrible spiritual disease which, if left untreated, can lead to the death of the soul. The disease is called “hardened heart”, or, in the ancient Greek translation, “sclerocardia.”
Of course, “hardening of the heart” is not an affliction of the physical heart muscle, but is something that happens at the level of the human soul. What are the symptoms of the disease? Setting one’s will in opposition to God, being closed to the things of God, attachment to sin, failing to bear the fruits of the spirit—fruits like joy, gentleness, and peace.
We’re familiar with the famous example of Pharaoh, hardening his heart, obstinately refusing to listen to God’s word through Moses. Of course, the New Testament has its share of examples of this disease. The Pharisees, Chief Priests and Scribes harden their hearts toward Jesus.
The author of the letter to the Hebrews quotes Psalm 95, which was also our responsporial Psalm today, which speaks of the Israelites hardening their hearts in the desert. The Israelites had succumbed to the effects of “sclerocardia” on their pilgrimage through the desert to the promised land—they became filled with complaint against God, they considered returning to Egypt, reasoning that at least in Egypt that had succulent food, wine, oil, and garlic. They preferred the things of the world to the freedom to which God was leading them.
The author of Hebrews quotes Psalm 95, because the Jewish-Christians of the early Church were in danger of hardening their hearts. As they experienced the persecutions, they were in danger of turning their hearts from God. This is a danger, too, for all of us who share in the cross of Christ. As we are called to turn away from the delights of the flesh, or when the trial of faith grows difficult, we can start to question: “Is it really worth it?”
Hebrews says, “Take care, brothers and sisters, that none of you may have an evil and unfaithful heart, so as to forsake the living God.”
How do we guard against this spiritual heart disease? Learning from the stories of scripture and the lives of the saints, meditating on the cross and on the Passion of Christ, making sure that each day we take time to enter into God’s rest, to peacefully meditate on his presence with us, and our place within his plan.
Proverbs says, “With all vigilance guard your heart, for in it are the sources of life.” May we guard our hearts from hardness, from cynicism, from selfishness, from grumbling, from obstinance toward God’s commandments, from fear of doing God’s work, that we may experience his peace and his joy for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
That the hearts of all Christians may be always open to the Holy Will of God.
That the minds of our government leaders may be opened to the truth of the Gospels.
For those who have hardened their hearts to God and the teachings of Christ, for those who have become callused or bitter towards the Church, for their conversion, and the conversion of all hearts.
That the hearts of all young people may be fertile ground for the life of the Spirit.
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