By: Bernadette Parrott
Welcome to our Faith Renewal Series that is exploring The ABCs of Being Catholic. We are invited on a journey through the alphabet to explore Catholic terms, beliefs, and traditions. In this post we focus on the letter “U”.
If you missed our Introduction to this series <click here>. To go back to the letter “T” post <click here>. To go to the letter “V” post <click here>.
Unpardonable Sin
August 16, 2021
Let anyone speak against the Holy Spirit and he will not be forgiven either in this world or the next.
Matthew 12:22-32
Sometimes Jesus speaks to us in parables, but sometimes he speaks in absolutes. We have the beautiful gift of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) that, with the words of Absolution our sins are forgiven us and we once again are in union with God.
The words of Jesus seem so very harsh. Let’s take a brief look at the sin that cannot be forgiven. This sin refers to blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Since it is the Holy Spirit that animates our soul and calls us to action in faith, when we speak against the Holy Spirit, we are denying the power of God, we are denying the Trinity, we are denying the gift of Jesus at His Ascension, we are denying and limiting the power of God gifted to us to act with faith and courage.
Of course, there is also deeper meaning. There are six elements that also come into play. When we lose our hope of salvation, we limit the mercy of God. When we work in pride and not in love for our own salvation, the sin of pride overtakes the love of God. When we deny the truths of our faith guided by the Magisterium of the Church we live in heresy and consider ourselves above the teaching of the Holy Spirit. When we envy the graces that God have given to others, then we become the judge and rebel against the law of love for our neighbour. When we continue in our sin even after receiving the help of the Holy Spirit, we separate ourselves from God’s will and we reject our salvation. When our life is always focused on rejected God, we are not open to the Holy Spirit’s invitation.
This is an invitation to all of us from Christ Himself – welcome the gift of the Holy Spirit. Open our hearts to reality of the existence of the Spirit of God in our lives.
Only I, in my hopelessness, in my pride, in my denial of God, in my envy, in my stubbornness, in my hardness of heart can limit God’s forgiveness and mercy. Only I.
If you missed our Introduction to this series <click here>. To go back to the letter “T” post <click here>. To go to the letter “V” post <click here>.