Commentary on the Gospel of
The Unforgivable Sin
Any sin conceivable can be forgiven, except the sin against the Holy Spirit, which is declared “unforgivable.” This statement of Jesus is so significant that all three synoptic gospels mention it. It is only by the power of the Holy Spirit that one can call out “Abba, Father.” If one rejects that Spirit, we have rejected God for ever. The official Catechism explains it thus: “There are no limits to the mercy of God, but anyone who deliberately refuses to accept his mercy by repenting, rejects the forgiveness of his sins and the salvation offered by the Holy Spirit” (CCC, #1864). This again informs us that it is we who make the possibility of hell a reality, and not God. As Pope John Paul II said, “ ‘Eternal damnation’, therefore, is not attributed to God's initiative because in his merciful love he can only desire the salvation of the beings he created. In reality, it is the creature who closes himself to his love” (General audience, July 28, 1999).
