When We Are Haled Before The Magistrate--Now What?

Saturday of 28th Week in Course 2022

Today’s Gospel has been misused far more times than it has been used by Christians facing martyrdom by the power of some civil or religious authority. What Jesus seems to intend in His challenge to us disciples is that when we are haled, or hauled, before anti-Christian magistrates, and made to testify either for or against Christ, we must acknowledge Jesus as our Lord and Redeemer, no matter what. If we do this, then irrespective of what happens to us at the hands of secular culture or pagan rulers, then in the Last Judgement Jesus will acknowledge us and make us elect leaders for all eternity. If we deny Christ and His divine authority and eternal power, then we will be denied by Christ at the judgement, and face an eternity of suffering and radical aloneness. Short of denial, if we “speak a word against” Christ, perhaps by misusing His Holy Name, and then repent, we will be forgiven. But if we blaspheme against the Holy Spirit, not so. That is an unforgivable sin.

Whoa! What about the unimaginably broad mercy and compassion of God? The traditional interpretation of “blasphemy against the Holy Spirit” is pretty simple. It is the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, who is active in the world as the wisdom and power of God. If we, who are affected deeply by the love of God poured out as the Holy Spirit, attribute His works to some demonic force or spirit, that’s like denying the fundamental relationship, the dependency, we have on the power and love of God. The word used for the sin is blasphemesanti, so the Greek is brought directly into the English. It means to slander. The implication is that this encounter is taking place when one is condemned to death, so it can’t be forgiven. The word used means “he’s sent away.” In other words, you do that and you miss the whole purpose of life–union with the loving God.

This Gospel, I said, is misused a lot. I’ve heard preachers fail to carefully prepare sermons by falling back on this promise. The context implies that one is being persecuted and is standing before the judge. That’s when the Holy Spirit comes to our aid. I recall the story of Joan of Arc before her inquisitors, who ask her if she believes she is in the state of grace. I know the Holy Ghost inspired her to answer, “If I am not, may God put me there; and if I am, may God so keep me.” A professional theologian could not frame a better answer. She turned it into a prayer.

Today we should remain aware of St. Paul's prayer for us, to equip us for times in which, under threat or duress, we must take a stand for Christ, "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give [us] a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him."