10/15/2022 (Saturday) Today’s Gospel Reading: Luke 12:8-12
Jesus said to his disciples:
8 “I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God.
9 But whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God.
10 “Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
11 When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities,
do not worry about how or what your defense will be or about what you are to say.
12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.”
10/15/2022 (Saturday) Today’s Gospel Reflection: Luke 12:8-12
If there is a term to summarize the gospel passage above, it could be acknowledging God – His goodness and greatness that deserves glorification. At the center of the word acknowledge is the word know. In reality, before we acknowledge someone or something, we first have to know that that someone or something exists.
What happens when we know God not just intellectually but also by heart? First, we enter into a relationship with Him and experience His presence in our life. We get to taste His goodness and be amazed at His greatness. Second, we also get the courage and be proud to share our experience with others or even announce it to the whole world. That is why Jesus tells His followers in verses 11 and 12 not to worry about what to say because the Holy Spirit will empower them not only with wisdom but also courage.
Moreover, when we come to know God, we become humbled not only at His goodness and greatness but also at His holiness. we then realized that we are unworthy because of our sins and weaknesses. Thus, we fall to our knees and beg His forgiveness.
Without knowing God and having a deep relationship with Him, it is easy to doubt His goodness and greatness. In fact, it would be very easy to deny His very existence. This is the greatest sin against the Holy Spirit which is unforgivable as mentioned in verse 10.
Yet even some of us who have known God and claimed to have relationship with Him even for a long time fall into the danger of sinning against the Holy Spirit. When great suffering or persecution comes, the very foundation of our faith is tested and we are tempted to deny Him or doubt His love and mercy. Those who undergo depression are prone to commit this kind of sin when they feel that God has abandoned them or that their sins are unforgivable. These people need special prayers and help.
Let us recall the life of Apostle Peter. He has professed that Jesus is the Messiah, that Jesus has the word of eternal life, and that he will offer his life for Jesus. Yet, when push came to shove, he fell short of expectation. Of all people, the expected man to lead the community of disciples denied Jesus not just once but three times. However, he has the humility to readily repent of His sin and now we address him as saint!