BLASPHEMY
Eph 1:15–23/ Ps 8:2-3ab, 4-5, 6-7/ Luke 12:8-12
In today’s gospel Jesus says “whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.” To blaspheme is to speak with disrespect about God. Blasphemy is verbal or written rebuke of God’s name, character, work, or attributes. It is the lack of reverence for sacred objects, or toward something considered sacred or sacrosanct. Blasphemy was a serious crime in the Old Testament. In Lev. 24:10–16, the man who blasphemed God’s name was stoned to death. In the New Testament, Jesus says such a person will not be forgiven.
How are we guilty of this sin today? In 1 Tim 1:20 Paul explains that he had abandoned two false teachers to Satan so they would “be taught not to blaspheme”. This means that promulgating false doctrine and leading God’s people astray is blasphemous. Whenever we bear false witness, we betray Christ’s identity and dignity and by so doing we are blasphemous.
Why is there no forgiveness for this sin? No pardon for this transgression because only Jesus offers pardon (John 3:16). Rejecting the one and only Savior will leave you without a way to find salvation, and rejecting the one and only pardon will make you unpardonable. You can’t eat your cake and have it. By and large, it’s not that there are unforgivable sins; rather, people can become so obstinate and closed up to forgiveness and the gift of the Holy Spirit that they are unable to receive it. In addition Jesus says in the gospel “…he who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God.” Similarly, in John 3:36. He says “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him”.
Today the Church celebrates the memorial of St Teresa of Avila, a Spanish Carmelite reformer and mystic whose life of prayer enriched the Church. Together with St. John of the Cross, she undertook the reform of the Carmelites. She expressed great faith in God. As a little girl she felt captivated by the thought of eternity and the vision of God. Thought of eternity can preserve our union with Christ. St Teresa of Avila, pray for us.
LET US PRAY
Father, through this daily reading of your word, increase our faith. Have mercy on us moments we blasphemed and denied your saving power. We believe in your pardon, grant us your pardon through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
