Lk 12:8-12
“I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before people, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. But the one who denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God.
There will be pardon for the one who criticizes the Son of Man, but there will be no pardon for the one who slanders the Holy Spirit.
When you are brought before the synagogues, governors and rulers, don’t worry about how you will defend yourself or what to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you have to say.”
REFLECTION
Isn’t the Gospel of today a fine lesson about the Holy Spirit?
In fact, what gives us the strength to confess Jesus, the Son of Man, before people? Let us be reminded with the last sentence of the text that Jesus promised the assistance of the Holy Spirit when Christians come before tribunals. Their irresistible inspiration will be the Holy Spirit. That is why the early faithful kept the “acts” of Martyrs, i.e. the minutes of their trials. Their answers are full of supernatural wisdom. This is the case of the letters of St Ignatius of Antioch, disciple of Apostles, and one of the famous early Martyrs.
Jesus promised similar witness in front of his Father and the angels of heaven.
But there is more. Why are the critiques against Jesus pardonable but the slanders against the Holy Spirit unpardonable? We can guess that perhaps the blasphemies against Jesus are due to his humanity; but if we refuse the grace of the Holy Spirit that leads us to faith, there is no salvation for us.
In any case, let us carefully listen and obediently follow the inner voice of the Spirit at every moment.
CLARETIAN COMMUNICATIONS FOUNDATION, INC.
8 Mayumi Street, U.P. Village, Diliman, 1101 Quezon City, Philippines
Tel.: (02) 921-3984 • 922-00-11 • 921-28-59 Fax: (02) 921-6205, 927-7429
Bookstore: (02) 924-6835
Email: ccfi@claretianpublications.com / cci@claret.org
Website: www.claretianpublications.com
