Posted on February 6, 2025
Catechism Meditation:
Christ is Lord of eternal life. Full right to pass definitive judgement on the works and hearts of men belongs to him as redeemer of the world. He “acquired” this right by his cross. the Father has given “all judgement to the Son”. Yet the Son did not come to judge, but to save and to give the life he has in himself. By rejecting grace in this life, one already judges oneself, receives according to one’s works, and can even condemn oneself for all eternity by rejecting the Spirit of love. ―No. 679
REFLECTION. God is willing and able to forgive absolutely any sin we are guilty of. He loves us, and he has taken all the sins of the world upon himself to such a degree that all of them can be forgiven — except for the sin that we will not give God permission to forgive. If we were to harden our heart to the Lord in such a way that we refuse to allow his love to enter our heart, then God will not force his way in.
31 Therefore, I tell you that every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
(Matthew 12:31-32)
Unwillingness to repent and accept God’s forgiveness is what Jesus was talking about when he referred to “blasphemy against the Spirit”. If we grasp onto to our sin, no matter what it is, rather than entrust our sins and our heart to the Lord, the end result is the same: I die saying, “God, I know what you want (to forgive me), but I want what I want (to hold myself to a higher standard than even you are holding me to).” We harden our hearts to ourselves when we do not allow God to extend his grace to us. This is why pride and despair need to be conquered by humility and hope.
PRAYER. Merciful Father, I thank You for Your boundless mercy that welcomes sinners like me. I pray for the courage to admit my wrongdoings and seek reconciliation with You and those I’ve wronged. Teach me to walk in humility and renew my spirit so that I may live in harmony with Your will. Help me always remember the power of Your forgiveness. Amen.
Timeless Wisdom Quote:
“The nearer Christ comes to a heart, the more it becomes conscious of its guilt; it will then either ask for his mercy and find peace, or else it will turn against Him because it is not yet ready to give up its sinfulness.” ―Venerable Fulton J. Sheen
Featured Video:
The Only Sin God CAN’T Forgive… (5:32)
