During his Angelus address on Sunday, Pope Francis discussed the incomprehension Christ faced during his earthly ministry, from both the scribes and his own family.
The scribes’ assertion that Christ drove out demons by the power of demons led him to “react with strong and clear words, he does not tolerate this, because those scribes, perhaps without realizing it, are falling into the gravest sin: negating and blaspheming the Love of God which is present and working in Jesus.”
“And blasphemy, the sin against the Holy Spirit, is the only unpardonable sin – so Jesus says – because it starts from a closure of the heart to the mercy of God acting in Jesus,” the pope said June 10 in St. Peter’s Square.
The scribes who blasphemed were sent from Jerusalem to discredit Christ, Francis said, “to make the office of talkers, discredit the other, remove authority, this ugly thing.”
“This episode contains a warning that serves all of us,” he reflected. “It may happen that a strong envy for the goodness and for the good works of a person can lead one to accuse it falsely. Here there is truly a deadly poison: the malice with which, in a premeditated way, one wants to destroy the good reputation of the other.”
If we find this envy in us during our examination of conscience, “let us immediately go to confession,” he advised, “before it develops and produces its evil effects, which are incurable. Be careful, because this attitude destroys families, friendships, communities, and even society.”
Full story at Catholic News Agency.
I would have to disagree, all sin seperates us from God, so how can one grave sin be worse than another ?
Reading Dante’s Inferno, while not Church doctrine, give some insight about the levels of Hell caused by levels of sin.
Haven’t read Mark 3:28-29, Luke 12:10 and Matthew 12:31-32 lately. Hope that have sometime brother.
Anonymous- read the Catechism of the Catholic Church! Mortal and venial sins are explained clearly.
Cardinal Burke: take note of the Pope’s teaching.