Saturday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s Gospel reading from St. Luke, Jesus tells us that if we identify ourselves with Him, He will acknowledge us “before the angels of God” (Lk 12:9). Even if we fail, we are able to be forgiven. Yet, if we commit blasphemy, we cannot be forgiven. This is puzzling! This is the same Christ who called for repentance so that we might live in the Kingdom of God. Surely all of us is guilty of some manner of blasphemy against God from time to time. Blasphemy is not, after all, limited to a direct repudiation of God in the form of smashing a crucifix or cursing God’s name. It can be blasphemous to commit irreverence to God by acting as if God does not exist. When we make decisions, undertake actions, or treat others as if there were no God—as if we ourselves or others we love are our highest priority—this is, too, is blasphemy.
But Jesus makes distinctions. He says that those who “speak a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven” (Lk 12:10). What is this sin against the Holy Spirit? Isn’t God all merciful? The Church has wrestled with the verse for some time. It seems right to conclude that because the Spirit is the source of forgiveness of sin—insofar as our entire sacramental life in Christ is indebted to the Holy Spirit—to sin against the Holy Spirit is to refuse to repent. Yes, God is all merciful and he remembers His covenant forever, but we have to desire his mercy in order to be forgiven. If we do not repent, we cannot be forgiven; this is the sin against the Holy Spirit.
How identifiable are we with Christ? Is it clear by our actions that we are marked for Christ? Are others drawn to Christ shining through us?
Let us pray that we may have the grace to repent and seek out the Sacrament of Reconciliation when we fail, for God’s grace overflows.
- Tim Gabrielli