Today’s gospel comes from the third chapter of Mark. Prior to Jesus’ encounter with the scribes, we are told that “he had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him. And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, ‘You are the Son of God.’” As a consequence of all these wonderful deeds, so many people want to see and hear and touch Christ that he cannot even have dinner with his disciples.

How do the scribes respond? “‘He is possessed by Beelzebul’ and ‘By the prince of demons he drives out demons.’”  The scribes concluded that Christ’s miracles are a false flag operation, a cynical ploy by the prince of lies. 

Do you remember the saying: “Sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me?” Youngsters often repeat this piece of street wisdom during name-calling disputes with their peers. That someone may ultimately break into tears and flee or decide to retaliate with physical force suggests that the saying reflects wishful thinking more than actual reality. 

In this episode of the Gospel, the scribes intended to shame and discredit Jesus. The purpose of these labels is to identify him as deviant, as failing to measure up and stick to his honor status, which derives from birth. Names can “break bones” and end life in Mediterranean culture. 

But Jesus aligns himself with God, a higher and more powerful authority than Satan. Jesus functions by the power of God. Whoever denies this claim, which is what Jesus' opponents are doing, severs any possible connection with God. This is what the word "blasphemy" entails. It means to shame another person by outrageous verbal insult. Denying God's activity and attributing it to an evil spirit insults God.

What does it mean to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit then? It means to deny that the Holy Spirit is at work in Jesus’ preaching and healing that leads to one’s disobedience. “This man works for the devil. I will not heed his call.” 

Jesus is clear: “all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them.” But denying the Holy Spirit cannot be forgiven because it cuts a person off from the means of forgiveness. 

It is as if a doctor had the power to cure every illness of body and mind from the common cold to muscular dystrophy, from insomnia to insanity. The only limitation to his power is that he can’t cure people who won’t come to him. The only real obstacles to healing are self-imposed. 

Is there anything Christ will not forgive? No. His mercy is infinite. Infinite, but not automatic. It is freely given, but it must be accepted. We must ask for forgiveness, we must be genuinely sorry, we must be determined to avoid future sin. The person who truly desires forgiveness forgives others. The person who has accepted forgiveness forgives others. The person who is grateful to God and determined to avoid sin, forgives others. Indeed, forgiveness is a gift and a choice.

Jesus said to his disciples, “‘Peace be with you... ‘Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.’” To deny the Holy Spirit is to cut ourselves off from forgiveness. 

The Church has received this power from the risen Lord, and each of us has received this power in baptism. We blaspheme the Holy Spirit when we refuse to forgive, and when we hold the sacrament of reconciliation in contempt. 

If we claim that we cannot forgive, we deny the Holy Spirit. If we think, “I don’t need to go to confession.”  This is just like the man who came for Confession after thirty years and says: “Father Jimmy, I am sorry I have not been in confession because I was so proud and I thought I did not need God. I got money, fame, and possession and now that I’m dying with cancer I realized I was wrong and I am so sorry. I hope God forgives me.” And the first thing I said to him: “Welcome home.”

When we forgive, we know that the Spirit is at work in us, enabling us to do for others what we pray God will do for us. Amen.