What is the unforgivable sin?
Catechism Meditation:
“Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.” There are no limits to the mercy of God, but anyone who deliberately refuses to accept his mercy by repenting, rejects the forgiveness of his sins and the salvation offered by the Holy Spirit. Such hardness of heart can lead to final impenitence and eternal loss. ―No. 1864
REFLECTION: The Catechism reminds us that 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 (See Mt 12:31-32; Mk 3:28-30; Lk 12:10). 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.
Traditionally, the sin these Gospels refer to have been called the “Sin Against the Holy Spirit.” Saint Thomas Aquinas, in the Summa Theologica (II-II, Question 14, Articles 1–3), articulates six ways that one can be guilty of this sin:
- Despair: rejecting God’s mercy and refusing to believe one’s sins can be forgiven.
- Presumption: believing one can attain salvation without grace or repentance.
- Impenitence: a refusal to repent for past sins.
- Obstinacy: a hardened resolve to remain in sin.
- Resisting the Known Truth: deliberately rejecting the truths of the faith to justify sin.
- Envy of Another’s Grace: resenting the Holy Spirit’s work in others.
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, help me always remember the power of Your forgiveness.
Timeless Wisdom Quote:
“If you do not believe Christ’s Mercy is enough to forgive the worst sins, then you commit an unforgivable sin against the Holy Spirit.” ― Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen