Sin Against the Holy Spirit
In today's gospel Jesus clearly says, "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."
What is this blasphemy and why is it reprehensible and an unforgivable sin? 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. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (1864) explains sin against the Holy Spirit as follows: “There are no limits to the mercy of God, but anyone who deliberately refuses to accept his mercy by repenting, rejects the forgiveness of his sins and the salvation offered by the Holy Spirit. Such hardness of heart can lead to final impenitence and eternal loss.” 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.
Thus, to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit is to refuse, over and over again, the love and grace he offers; it cannot be forgiven because there is no repentance, and the persistent refusal to accept God’s mercy. 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). To die in that state of refusal is to die outside of friendship with God. We all need God’s mercy and grace—the “gift” of “righteousness,” as St. Paul puts it in today’s first reading. Refusing to receive what we need for salvation means we won’t experience salvation. This is a sobering thought. Somehow, although we can’t save ourselves without God’s grace, God still respects our freedom so deeply that he won’t force us to live in that grace.
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. If we sin against the Holy Spirit, it is unlikely for us to witness Christ in our daily lives and especially in the face of persecution and trials; we will always deny Jesus in any way possible. This means that at last, Jesus will deny Infront of the Angels and God for he himself 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."
How do we then witness Christ in all that we do? first is to listen always and everywhere to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and cooperate with Him instead of blaspheming against him. Secondly, in everything we do that indicates to others our faith in Christ is a way of giving witness to Christ. Pausing to pray and make the sign of the cross before a meal at a restaurant or in the cafeteria is a way of acknowledging Jesus. Arriving late to a social engagement because we attend Mass on Sunday is a way of acknowledging Jesus. Speaking calmly but clearly about the Church’s teaching on moral and social issues, even defending those teachings when they are attacked, that too is acknowledging Jesus. Having religious images in our houses is a way to acknowledge Jesus to those who come and visit us. If in our own minds and hearts the core of our identity is that we are disciples and messengers of Jesus Christ, almost everything we do will in some way announce to those around us that he is real, that he is the Lord, and that we belong to him. And the more we do that, the deeper our bond with him becomes, and the greater our joy will be, now and forever.
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 us a spirit of wisdom and perception of what is revealed, to bring us to full knowledge of him. May he enlighten the eyes of our mind so that we can see what hope his call holds for us, what rich glories he has promised the saints will inherit and how infinitely great is the power that he has exercised for us believers (Ephesians 1:17-19). Amen.
Be blessed.
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