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Saturday 28th Week OT
Marriottsville
Memorial of Saints John de Brebeuf, Isaac Jogues, and Companions
October 19, 2019
STRANGE SAYING ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø A strange sentence by Jesus in today’s Gospel
Ø “Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the 1 who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven”
Ø I say strange, because why would those who say something bad about Jesus be forgiven, but those who those who say something bad about the Holy Spirit not be forgiven?
SIMPLE ANSWER +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø In a way, the answer is simple
Ø Jesus is saying that the unforgivable sin is to deny God’s continued presence with us and his constant love for us through that
Ø It’s J who sends & implants this Spirit within us
Ø This seems to be the meaning of “sinning against the HS” because in the very next sentences Jesus tells us not to worry and that that Holy Spirit will be there in times of difficulty
CLARIFICATION ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø I also think that Jesus’ words about not being forgiven need to be understood carefully
Ø Obviously, if we deny that presence, but then repent and believe, we are forgiven
Ø However, if we deny the very presence of that HS, we’ve in effect placed ourselves apart from God, cut ourselves off, divorced ourselves from God
Ø Jesus labels this action as unforgivable because it is so willful and so final on our part
Ø It contradicts what Jesus comes to earth to accomplish
Ø It contradicts what his dying and rising are to do for us: to place us in relationship with God and have God’s presence with us at all times
Ø It’s like knowing the gravity of what you’re doing and doing it nonetheless
CONCLUSION ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø Yes, a strong teaching from Jesus this morning!
Ø Strong because Jesus so ardently wants us to know of his presence, of God’s presence, of the Holy Spirit’s presence with us in every moment of our lives
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