Before i returned to the Church, i used to wonder, every now and then, if i had somehow committed the unforgivable sin, which, on the face of it, seems to be blahsphemy of some kind (St. Matthew 12:32).
Even when i heard the Catholic Church’s position on this subject years ago
, (that rejecting Christ [God] is the unforgivable sin)… I still wondered… (though i do not wonder after having become fully Catholic
).
I know now that the devil was beating the crud out of me (still is, of course, just in different ways - that’s his job
:hypno:
uch: but anyway, i am wondering if others out there have been tormented by this fear & what they did… or do … about it?
What is your view of the Catholic interpretation of St. Matthew 12:32?
My take on it (& I believe that of the Church?) is that any repented-of sin can be forgiven in Purgatory (forgivness in the age to come…) except the sin of rejecting Jesus Christ (at time of death).
You may want to look into the
Moral Theology of it. This book should give you a full understanding of the scriptures, dogmas, and cannon law (it explains what the true meaning of what was originally stated). At any rate you may also want to take a look at the
Douay-Rimes Bible, it also has foot notes that explain some of the scriptures that could be interpreted incorrectly, you can view it online
here.
[Matthew 12:32 And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but he that shall speak against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, nor in the world to come.]
Footnote of the Douay-Rheims Bible:*
“Nor in the world to come”… From these words St. Augustine (De Civ. Dei, lib. 21, c. 13) and St. Gregory (Dialog., 4, c. 39) gather, that some sins may be remitted in the world to come; and, consequently, that there is a purgatory or a middle place.
*I do remember learning about; if you speak against to Holy Ghost, or even the Blessed Mother, those are two sins that will never be forgiven. Some may make an argument about the fact that I brought up the Blessed Mother, but the fact of the matter is that it makes perfect sense. If you are married, how would you feel if someone said something negative about you spouse? Or how would you feel if someone said something negative about your mother? Or how would you feel if someone said something negative about you daughter?
I for one would not stand for it; if someone spoke against my mother for example, and I’m sure that our Heavenly Lord Jesus would not be happy if someone spoke negative about His (*our) Mother either.
*I say our, because she is our Mother as well.
John 19:26-27 When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he saith to his mother: Woman, behold thy son. 27After that, he saith to the disciple: Behold thy mother. And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own.
Any how, there is an excellent Book that I think that every Catholic should read to get a full understanding of our Blessed Mother. Written by Saint Louis de Montfort;
True Devotion to Mary, you may read some of if online
Here.
A brief description:
True Devotion To Mary. Considered the greatest single book on Mary ever written, this classic shows the way to Jesus through Mary. It sums up the entire Christian life and provides the key both to sanctity and to salvation. Beloved by countless souls; makes lasting devotees. St. Louis De Montfort prophesied that True Devotion to Mary would be the way of life of the great Saints of the latter times. This devotion is destined to change the world! Impr. 215 pgs, PB.
Sorry about getting off topic, if you are really concerned about some of the teachings, read up on the Moral Theology that will help you out.
I guess they made an eternal choice to oppose Christ…