Unforgivable Sin?

Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is such extreme hardness of heart that one refuses to accept the obvious: that is doing God’s work (:20-25). More generally, Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is refusal to accept God’s obvious goodness, and the salvation He offers us.

“Looking at the Catechism of the , blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is the ‘deliberate refusal’ to accept God’s mercy and forgiveness (# 1864). Six species of this sin have been identified over time as (1) Despair; (2) Presumption; (3) Impenitence or a firm determination not to repent; (4) Obstinacy; (5) Resisting divine truth known to be such; and (6) Envy of another’s spiritual welfare.”1

God will not force us to accept His grace. If, then, one dies not desiring or seeking God’s mercy, one’s sins remain “unforgiven.” But this Blasphemy is not a simple “one time” transgression that one cannot later repent from; a later decision to repent, and accept God’s mercy and forgiveness would mean one is no longer guilty of this sin. There is no limit to God’s mercy, but we can refuse Him.

The Brothers of Jesus?

Our Faith tells us that Mary was perpetually a Virgin – meaning she and did not have marital relations (consequently, Mary had no other biological children). A close reading of the Scripture text, moreover, shows that it does not attribute any other children to Mary, the Mother of Jesus.

1. Close extended family members were frequently called brothers and sisters; and we have lots of examples of this in Scripture – both Old and New Testaments. People lived in large clan-like groups – it was perfectly normal for such close kin to be called “brothers and sisters.” 2. Jesus is referred to as Mary’s son several times; but no other person is. Specifically referred to as Jesus’ “4 brothers” are “James, /Joseph, Simon/ and Jude/Judas” – but Scripture designates James and Joses as the sons of Mary, wife of (Matt 27:55); who was likely St. Joseph’s sister. Early sources ( especially) name Simon and Jude as important 1st Century Bishops who were cousins of Jesus, and also designates them as sons of Mary and Clopas. 3. On the Cross, Jesus entrusted Mary to Saint John. We know John is a son of , and – if Jesus had siblings – this would be positively unthinkable; and an insult to any biological siblings.

The does not directly attribute any other children to Mary, the Mother of Jesus; and by its silence indicates Jesus is an only child, as a large number named in the are designated by parents.

Our Faith speculates that – as a child – Mary felt a vocation to be a Virgin, and vowed so before meeting Joseph, and that things subsequently unfolded in a way that allowed her to keep this promise. Joseph understood that the Holy Spirit was her “spouse” in a way. Mary’s decision may strike modern ears as strange, but this was not disputed by either of the great Reformers (Calvin and Luther) even though both of them were suspicious of celibacy at best, and hated it at worst.

1 https://catholicexchange.com/what-is-the-unforgivable-sin-against-the-holy-spirit