Psalm 8:2-3.4-5.6-7,
Courageous Witness to Christ
Jesus says, "everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God. Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven." This is an excerpt from today's Gospel.
These words from Jesus invite us to have courageous witnesses to Him in every situation whether we are hated, persecuted, laughed at, intimidated, whether rich or poor, young or old and in every situation. For if we witness to him and do not deny him in the face of everyone, he will bring us to life everlasting at the end. The good news is that when we face challenges in witnessing to Jesus, he promises us the Holy Spirit as the guide in our witness to him. The Holy Spirit will tell us and teach us what to say and do in face of trials and temptations if we allow Him to take control over our lives. What happens when we deny Christ in front of others? Jesus tells us that he will deny us also in front of the Angels and his Father. If Jesus denies us, we are also denied eternal life. Do you want to inherit eternal life? Witness Christ in all the situations.
If we deny Jesus or even blasphemy against him, and we repent, our sins are forgiven but Jesus tells us that sin against the Holy Spirit is unforgiveable. Why is the sin against the Holy Spirit so grave not even to be forgiven? Saint John Paul II explains: “‘Blasphemy’ does not properly consist in offending against the Holy Spirit in words; it consists rather in the refusal to accept the salvation which God offers to man through the Holy Spirit, working through the power of the cross” (Dominum et Vivificantem, 46). If we are so hard of heart as to reject the mercy God offers through the Holy Spirit, “it may lead to final impenitence and eternal loss,” according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1864. May our pride never be so great as to assume we can’t be forgiven for something we’ve done!
Blasphemy consists in uttering against God, inwardly or outwardly, words of hatred, reproach, or defiance. It's contrary to the honor and respect we owe to God (who is our Father, Creator, and Savior) and to his holy name. Jesus spoke about this sin immediately after the scribes and Pharisees had attributed his miracles to the work of the devil instead of to God. In the missionary context, the mission which was entrusted to the Apostles and to be carried out by the Holy Spirit, to blasphemy against the Holy Spirit means to impede the missionary work. To say a word against Jesus, the human, as son of man, is one thing, but to impede or stand against the missionary proclamation is another and cannot be forgiven.
Reflect today on how courageous you are in witnessing Christ and how you are able to let the Spirit guide your mission, your life, without blaspheming against him. May the Spirit guide as you reflect on today's readings.
Let us Pray.
May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a spirit of wisdom and perception of what is revealed, to bring you to full knowledge of him. May he enlighten the eyes of your mind so that you can see what hope his call holds for you, what rich glories he has promised the saints will inherit and how infinitely great is the power that he has exercised for us believers. Amen.
Be blessed.
No comments:
Post a Comment