It’s not uncommon to find people who worry that they’ve blasphemed against the Holy Spirit and committed the “unforgivable sin,” making God’s mercy inaccessible and hell a certainty. What did Jesus mean by saying in Mark’s gospel that whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven?
Theology
The Greatest Commandment: Love God and Neighbor
We draw not only our strength to love from our love of God but the fullness of human life is made possible only by loving God above all else for his sake. Love then flows outward, as an abundant well-spring, to others. So powerful becomes this force of love that the Christian can even love those who hate him. His love of Christ empowers him to love and pray even for his enemies.
St. Justin Martyr
The Roman prefect Rusticus, his hate-filled eyes fixed intently on St. Justin, said: “Do you have an idea that you will go up to heaven to receive some suitable rewards?” Justin responded: “It is not an idea that I have; it is something I know well and hold to be most certain.”
Can Catholics And Other Christians Divorce and Remarry?
In today’s gospel (Mk 10:1-12), Jesus answers a pointed question from the Pharisees regarding the permanency of marriage and the possibility of divorce. The answer he gives was as countercultural then as it is now.
Stumbling Blocks and The Danger of Scandal
It’s a convenient, easy, worldly and “New-Agie” thing to do—making God “easy to get along with” or viewing him in a “nice” unchallenging way. But it’s not a virtuous or spiritually intelligent thing to do. It’s not a wise thing to do. Nor is it a loving thing to do. Worse yet, it can lead to the sin of scandal.