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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider Whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness

Whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness

Published Jan 24, 2022 12:05 am

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Reflections today

Is there a sin which God cannot forgive? If the scribes blasphemed against Jesus, how different is that from blaspheming the Holy Spirit? Many interpretations have been put forth for this passage in the Bible. The 1992 Catechism of the Catholic Church (n 1864) says that the real blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is the sin of unrepentance impenitence. God is always willing to forgive the person who asks for forgiveness, but this grace cannot be given to the one who refuses it in the first place.

There is a malady of error that exists these days, what theologians have termed “cheap grace.” Basically, the notion is that God, merciful as he is, and desiring the salvation of all, would not withhold his grace to anyone. This includes the idea that forgiveness can be given even without repentance and confession. This is totally wrong! God indeed is merciful, but he is also just. We will have to acknowledge our errors before he can apply the medicine to the sickness of our souls.

Do I cheapen God’s grace by my presumption and unrepentance?

Gospel • Mk 3:22-30

The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said of Jesus, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “By the prince of demons he drives out demons.” Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables, “How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand; that is the end of him. But no one can enter a strong man’s house to plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder his house. Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin.” For they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.”

SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

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