What do we mean when we talk about the heart? Is it just a sappy way of talking about our emotions, or is it deeper than that? The Catechism provides this definition of the human heart:
The heart is the dwelling-place where I am, where I live; according to the Semitic or Biblical expression, the heart is the place "to which I withdraw." The heart is our hidden center, beyond the grasp of our reason and of others; only the Spirit of God can fathom the human heart and know it fully. The heart is the place of decision, deeper than our psychic drives. It is the place of truth, where we choose life or death. It is the place of encounter, because as image of God we live in relation: it is the place of covenant. (2563)
Your heart is your inmost self, deeper than your emotions or even your reason, intellect, and will. Your heart is your identity. The orientation of your heart determines your relationship with others, including God. Consequently, the state of your heart is extremely important. So, how's your heart?
