6 Sins Against the Holy Spirit – Mar 24 – Homily – Fr Matthias

 

Fr Matthias gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Mar 24, 2025, on how the sins against the Holy Spirit are unforgivable because they reject God’s mercy, but devotion to Mary protects us from them.

Father warns of six sins against the Holy Spirit—presuming or despairing of God’s mercy, envying others’ blessings, opposing truth, persisting in sin, and final impenitence—calling them unforgivable, as Jesus notes in ‘Matthew 12:31,’ “blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.” He ties this to today’s Gospel, where Jesus, a prophet rejected in ‘Luke 4:24,’ “no prophet is accepted in his hometown,” reflects humanity’s rejection of grace.

Father reassures that fearing these sins signals a heart open to God’s mercy, per ‘1 John 4:18,’ “perfect love drives out fear.” He stresses devotion to Mary, spouse of the Holy Spirit, as a safeguard, echoing ‘Luke 1:35,’ “the Holy Spirit will come upon you,” from her Annunciation. Saints like St. Louis de Montfort teach that the Spirit rushes to souls loving Mary, aligning with ‘CCC 721,’ where Mary’s union with the Spirit is celebrated. Father urges us to surrender to Mary, ensuring we never offend her spouse, and to pray for those blind to their sins, seeking reparation. Through Mary, per ‘CCC 969,’ her intercession aids our salvation, we find peace and avoid these grave sins, optimizing spiritual growth.”

For Further Reading:

• Matthew 12:31 - NAB - Blasphemy against the Spirit. - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/12?31


• Luke 4:24 - NAB - Prophet rejected at home. - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/4?24


• 1 John 4:18 - NAB - Love casts out fear. - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1john/4?18


• Luke 1:35 - NAB - Holy Spirit overshadows Mary. - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/1?35


• Catechism of the Catholic Church #721 - Mary and Holy Spirit. - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p1s2c3a8.htm#721


• Catechism of the Catholic Church #969 - Mary’s Intercessory Role. - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a9p6.htm#969


• Catechism of the Catholic Church #1863 - Venial and Mortal Sin. - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s1c1a8.htm#1863


• Catholic Answers - God’s Love for You - God’s mercy explained. - https://www.catholic.com/tract/gods-love-for-you


• Catholic Online - St. Maximilian Kolbe - Mary’s role emphasized. - https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=370

Ave Maria!

Mass: Monday 3rd Week of Lent - Wkdy
Readings:  - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/032425.cfm
1st: 2ki 5:1-15
Resp: psa 42:2, 3, 43:3, 4
Gsp: luk 4:24-30

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1665

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