There will be pardon for the one who criticizes the Son of Man, but there will be no pardon for
the one who slanders the Holy Spirit.
When you are brought before the synagogues, and before governors and rulers, don’t worry
about how you will defend yourself, or what to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that
time what you have to say.”
Reflect:
Any sin conceivable can be forgiven, except the sin against the Holy Spirit, which is declared
“unforgivable.” This statement of Jesus is so significant that all three synoptic gospels mention
it. It is only by the power of the Holy Spirit that one can call out “Abba, Father.” If one rejects that
Spirit, we have rejected God for ever. The official Catechism explains it thus: “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” (CCC, #1864).
This again informs us that it is we who make the possibility of hell a reality, and not God. As
Pope John Paul II said, “ ‘Eternal damnation’, therefore, is not attributed to God's initiative
because in his merciful love he can only desire the salvation of the beings he created. In reality,
it is the creature who closes himself to his love” (General audience, July 28, 1999).
© Copyright Bible Diary 2022