Heart Worms

My son Jared rescued a 6 month old Lab mixed pup, now about a year old. It appeared that the dog had heart worms, most likely contracted before he made the trip up north from Arkansas. Early detection meant a better outcome for Arlo, the lovable dog. Years ago, I had a similar experience, after I purchased a 5 year-old Brittany Spaniel named Duke for $50. His case was severe, and the pneumonia that follow treatment almost killed him. The worms come from mosquitoes that fill the heart. The medication kills the worms, but the dead worms find their way to the lungs which can cause pneumonia. Fortunately, there is preventative heart worm medication that can lead to fewer cases.

I share this because I see a spiritual connection. While you and I cannot get physical heart worms from our dog, we are susceptible to spiritual heart worms. Theologians would argue about this condition being caused from the mosquito bite of original sin. Others would say the heart worms enter in through our environment, how we grew up, what we were taught and experienced. There are different kinds of spiritual heart worms, and each requires a different treatment plan.

Diagnosing our heart worms can be tricky. The self-examination that is required is difficult, and often calls for a spiritual director/doctor to help. Looking into my heart is more than looking into the mirror. The worm of lies can tell me my image is just fine. Only going deeper into my heart can begin the process of removing the worms. The worms are an alphabet of artery cloggers; apathy, covetous, greed, hatred, lust, prejudice, racism, self-centeredness, unforgiveness – to name a few. Left untreated these worms overwhelm the heart. The spiritual death they cause is not permanent, we can experience more than resuscitation, because we were baptized into the resurrection.