Our Lady of the Assumption Parish Family,

 

According to today’s Gospel of Mark, when Jesus returned home, His relatives attempted to seize Him, believing He had lost His sanity. They even declared, “He is out of his mind.” The scribes from Jerusalem also accused Him of being possessed by Beelzebul. In response, Jesus made it clear that such blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is an unforgivable sin with eternal consequences.

 

What is a sin against the Holy Spirit? It is refusing to repent, which is unforgivable because the person never seeks forgiveness. They are so entrenched in their sin that they refuse to change, thus blocking God’s mercy from reaching them. This sin can also be seen as presumption. A person who presumes that God will forgive them commits this sin, which lacks the genuine repentance necessary for forgiveness.  

 

While you may struggle with many sins, being mindful of sins against the Holy Spirit is crucial. Although we should never feel entitled to God’s forgiveness, we must always trust in His mercy. When we humbly admit our sins and truly repent, God forgives us. One of the best practices to ensure you are free from sins against the Holy Spirit is to participate in the Sacrament of Confession regularly. Confess your sins with honesty and humility. Own your sin, acknowledge it, feel remorse for it, and most importantly, resolve to change.

 

Yours in Christ,

Father Edward Domme