ACC ~ Luke 12 v8 - 10

THE STRENGTH OF AN UNCORRUPTED FAITH

CYPRIAN: In the Gospel, the Lord speaks saying, “Everyone who acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father who is in heaven; but whoever denies me, even I will deny him.” He does not deny him who denies or acknowledge him who acknowledges. The gospel cannot be firm in part and waver in part. Either both must be strong or both must lose the force of truth. If those who deny will not be guilty of a crime, those who acknowledge him will not receive the reward of virtue. If he crowns the faith that has conquered, he must punish the treachery that has been conquered. If the gospel can be broken, the martyrs can be of no benefit. If the gospel cannot be broken, they who become martyrs, according to the gospel, cannot act contrary to the gospel. Most beloved brothers and sisters, let no one defame the dignity of the martyrs. Let no one destroy their glories and crowns. The strength of an uncorrupted faith is sound. No one can say or do anything against Christ whose hope, faith, virtue and glory are entirely in Christ. They who have performed the commands of God cannot be the authors of anything done by the bishops contrary to the command of God. THE LAPSED 20. [1]

[1] FC 36:75**; ACW 25:29-30**.

ACKNOWLEDGE HIM THROUGH WHOM WE ARE SAVED

PSEUDO-CLEMENT OF ROME: “He who acknowledges me before men, I will acknowledge before my Father.” This is our reward, if we acknowledge him who saves us. How do we acknowledge him? We acknowledge him by doing what he says and by obeying his commands, and by honoring him not only with our lips but with all our heart and mind. [1] He says in Isaiah as well, “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.” [2] 2 CLEMENT 3.1-5. [3]

[1] Cf. Mk 12:30.

[2] Is 29:13; cf. Mt 15:8; Mk 7:6.

[3] LCC 1:194*.

BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT IS AGAINST THE TRINITY

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: He has taught us that blasphemy is the most wicked crime for people to commit. He said that whoever speaks a word against the Son of man will be forgiven, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. In what way is this to be understood? If the Savior means that if any one of us uses any scornful word toward some mere man, he will receive forgiveness if he repents, the matter is free from all difficulty. Since God is by nature good, he will free from blame all those who repent. If the declaration has reference to Christ, the Savior of all, how can he who has spoken against him be innocent or secure from condemnation? Some one who has not learned the meaning of his mystery or understood that being by nature God he humbled himself to our estate and became man may say something blasphemous to a certain extent against him. If this is not so wicked as to pass forgiveness, God will pardon those who have sinned from ignorance. …

On another hand, condemnation and the eternal punishment both in this world and in that which is to come is inevitable for those who have blasphemed the Godhead itself.

By “the Spirit,” he means not only the Holy Spirit but also the whole nature of the Godhead, as understood [to consist] in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Savior also somewhere said, “God is a Spirit.” [1] Blasphemy against the Spirit is against the whole supreme substance. The nature of the Deity, as offered for our understanding in the holy and adorable Trinity, is one. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 88. [2]

[1] Jn 4:24.

[2] CGSL 357-58**.