A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 3:22-30
The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said of Jesus,
"He is possessed by Beelzebul," and
"By the prince of demons he drives out demons."
Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables,
"How can Satan drive out Satan?
If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
And if a house is divided against itself,
that house will not be able to stand.
And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided,
he cannot stand;
that is the end of him.
But no one can enter a strong man's house to plunder his property
unless he first ties up the strong man.
Then he can plunder his house.
Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies
that people utter will be forgiven them.
But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit
will never have forgiveness,
but is guilty of an everlasting sin."
For they had said, "He has an unclean spirit."
REFLECTION: " Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin."
This gospel reminds me of how generous God is in forgiving us except for the unforgivable sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit . Forgiveness by God is what happens in Confession.
In some occasions, I have experienced the āliberationā that comes from the sacrament of reconciliation, even when confessing venial sins. At the moment the Priest gives me the absolution I recover a sense of freedom, joy and peace; and when I fulfill the penance indicated by the Priest, that well being increases.
With sincere enthusiasm I invite everyone that may not have received the sacrament of reconciliation in āa whileā to receive it, and to experience the freedom and joy that comes with it. What a treasure from our Church!
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us that have recourse to thee!
St. Thomas Aquinas, pray for us!