Catholic Maronite Readings

Why is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit unforgivable? How should this blasphemy be understood ? St. Thomas Aquinas replies that it is a question of a sin that is “unforgivable by its very nature, insofar as it excludes the elements through which the forgiveness of sin takes place.” According to such an exegesis, “blasphemy” does not properly consist in offending against the Holy Spirit in words; it consists rather in the refusal to accept the salvation which God offers us through the Holy Spirit, working through the power of the Cross. If man rejects the “convincing concerning sin” which comes from the Holy Spirit (Jn 16,8) and which has the power to save, he also rejects the “coming” of the Counselor (Jn 16,7) – that “coming” which was accomplished in the Paschal Mystery, in union with the redemptive power of Christ’s Blood: the Blood which “purifies the conscience from dead works” (Heb 9,15). We know that the result of such a purification is the forgiveness of sins. Therefore, whoever rejects the Spirit and the Blood (cf. 1Jn 5,8) remains in “dead works,” in sin. And the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit consists precisely in the radical refusal to accept this forgiveness, of which he is the intimate giver and which presupposes the genuine conversion which he brings about in the conscience. If Jesus says that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit cannot be forgiven either in this life or in the next, it is because this “non-forgiveness” is linked, as to its cause, to “non-repentance,” in other words to the radical refusal to be converted… Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, then, is the sin committed by the person who claims to have a “right” to persist in evil – in any sin at all – and who thus rejects Redemption. One closes oneself up in sin, thus making impossible one’s conversion, and consequently the remission of sins, which one considers not essential or not important for one’s life. This is a state of spiritual ruin, because blasphemy against the Holy Spirit does not allow one to escape from one’s self-imposed imprisonment.

maronite readings – rosary,team

Jesus calls to conversion. This call is an essential part of the proclamation of the kingdom: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mk 1,15). In the Church’s preaching this call is addressed first to those who do not yet know Christ and his Gospel. Also, Baptism is the principal place for the first and fundamental conversion… It is by faith in the Gospel and by Baptism17 that one renounces evil and gains salvation, that is, the forgiveness of all sins and the gift of new life. Christ’s call to conversion continues to resound in the lives of Christians. This second conversion is an uninterrupted task for the whole Church who, “clasping sinners to her bosom, (is) at once holy and always in need of purification, (and) follows constantly the path of penance and renewal” (Vatican II LG 8). This endeavor of conversion is not just a human work. It is the movement of a “contrite heart,” (Ps 51[50],19) drawn and moved by grace to respond to the merciful love of God who loved us first (1Jn 4,10)… The human heart is heavy and hardened. God must give man a new heart (Ez 36,26f.). Conversion is first of all a work of the grace of God who makes our hearts return to him: “Restore us to thyself, O Lord, that we may be restored!” (Lam 5,21). God gives us the strength to begin anew. It is in discovering the greatness of God’s love that our heart is shaken by the horror and weight of sin and begins to fear of offending God by sin and being separated from him. The human heart is converted by “looking upon him whom our sins have pierced” (cf. Zac 12,10; Jn 19,37).
maronite readings – rosary,team

The waves are many and the surging sea is dangerous, but we are not afraid we may be drowned for we are standing on the rock. Let the sea rage as it will, it cannot split the rock asunder. Though the waves tower on high, they cannot overwhelm the boat of Jesus. What, pray beloved, are we afraid of? Death? “For me life is Christ, and death gain” (Phil 1:21). But tell me, is it exile ? “The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains” (Ps 23[24]:1). Is it the loss of property? “We brought nothing into the world. It is certain we can take nothing out of it” (1Tm 6:7)… If you find these words difficult to believe, believe the evidence. How many tyrants have tried to wipe out the Church?… But none of these things have triumphed against her. Where, now, are those men, those raging persecutors? Fallen into oblivion. And the Church, where is she? See her with her radiance shining like the sun… “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there in their midst” (Mt 18:20)… I have the word of Christ, his scripture in my hand; I do not lean on human strength; I hold fast to his word. That to me is my staff, that to me is security, that to me is a calm harbor. Even though the world be in turmoil, I hold fast to this word. I read it. It is my rampart, my safeguard. What word is this? “I am with you all days even to the end of time” (Mt 28:20). Christ is with me, whom shall I fear? Though waves rise up against me, the seas, the wrath of rulers: these things are no more to me than a cobweb.

maronite readings – rosary,team

“Watch, for you do not know the day nor the hour.” Like many other scriptural texts, this admonition is addressed to all of us, though it is formulated in such a way that it would seem to concern only Christ’s immediate audience. We can all apply it to ourselves because the Last Day and the end of the world will come for each of us on the day we depart this present life. This means we must make sure we die in the state in which we wish to appear on the Day of Judgment. Bearing this in mind each of us should guard against being led astray and failing to keep watch, otherwise the day of the Lord’s return may take us unawares. If the last day of our life finds us unprepared, then we shall be unprepared on that day also.

maronite readings – rosary,team