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This time, let me talk to you about HEARTS even if it is not yet February – the Valentine Month. I have been thinking of this topic because the husband of my friend died recently of a broken heart. I mean literally and medically of a broken heart. In fact, his first heart had already been broken that is why he needed a heart transplant. He waited two years for a heart donor. Every time there is news that there is potential donor, meaning a person was dying and they have obtained permission from his family that he could donate his heart when he died, he would rush to the hospital, only to find out that the blood type of tissue was not compatible. Christmas eve, he was informed that the hospital had just admitted a young man who was accidentally shot and was dying. He went to the hospital reluctantly, feeling sorry that he would miss the family festivities, which might be the last Christmas he would spend with them. But to the delight of all, this time it was for real. Family permit to donate the heart, blood and tissue compatibility, donor has no infection, etc – they all fit as if that heart was meant to be his heart. The cardiac surgery team called for the number-one heart surgeon from New York to come over quickly and the miracle began. He awoke from the ten hour surgery with a new heart.
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After several weeks stay in the hospital to ensure that his new heart was functioning well, he went home to his family. His wife related to me how he was a transformed man. Before the transplant, he was a mean materialistic executive banker – drinking, smoking, and one or two extramarital affairs. His stressful lifestyle, which he himself must have imposed on in order to keep getting up the ladder of the corporate world, left his wife often depressed and lonely. How she longed for the time when they were a simple family that would go out together on weekends with the children and he would come home early in the evenings to tutor them in their schoolwork. As the children reached their teen age, and he reached the peak of his career, high blood pressure and heart attacks got the better of him. His heart was so stressed that he was told he needed that heart transplant.
With the new heart, he had to stay home to recover. He now would accompany his wife daily to church, read spiritual books and spend time listening to the children when they came home. Since his family had a chance to talk to the family of the heart donor before they left the hospital, they were able to learn that the donor was truly a good man, a responsible father, a humble office worker struggling to keep his family comfortable and the children educated. He was mild mannered and not prone to vices – quite the opposite of this heart transplant recipient!
So whether it was the new heart thumping inside his chest that transformed his character or the thought that he did not have a much longer life to live made him a more spiritual guy, it is hard to say. But the stories of his friends during his funeral revealed how they were amazed at this total transformation.
And that brings me to our discussion on hearts. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:21 “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”. Doesn’t that make us stop and ask ourselves – ah yes, what thoughts and desires occupy me all day long – what is the latest fashion and how can I get them…, will my crush ever know that I like him/her…,
how will I get my dad to increase my allowance to I can get more cell phone load…,why is my teacher always favoring that classmate over me…?? There is much jealousy, materialism, consumerism, depression, and infatuation instead of true love, right?
We are who we follow. Who do we admire – is it the sexy dancers on the noontime TV programs? Or the screaming rock band idols with tattoos and shaggy hair? The half naked models of slimming saloons? Or your classmate who has all the money to spend on load and has the latest cell phone model every month?
“From our hearts we bring forth evil – idolatry, hardness of heart, deception and lies” (Mt 12:34-35) How well Jesus knows human nature. But how well he also demonstrated to us by his life here on earth what it means to have a loving heart, a tender heart, a heart that is quick to forgive and to reject evil.
Jesus calls us to stop thinking of ourselves in a selfish, self-sufficient manner. Conversion means maturity – discipline, seeing the needs of others, thinking of what will give joy to others and not to myself only. It means having a proper fear of God because committing sin turns us away from what He wants for us – a peaceful and just life for all.
As we look forward to Christmas, we can spend more time in knowing Christ our Savior better. Is it too much to ask you to set aside those videos, pop magazines, computer games, texting and MTVs for an hour each day to devote your time to reading and watching things related to Jesus, values and virtues, how to increase love and patience, and discover more and more what God truly wants in your life? With Jesus, can you honestly say, “Father in heaven, thy will, not mine be done”. Here is my heart, O Lord, it is yours before any other person or object can own it.
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