Gospel (Lk 12,8-12) - At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: «I tell you: whoever recognizes me before men, even the Son of man will recognize him before the angels of God; but whoever denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. Whoever speaks against the Son of man will be forgiven him; but whoever blasphemes the Holy Spirit, he will not be forgiven. "When they bring you before the synagogues, the magistrates and the authorities, do not worry about how or what to exonerate yourself, or what to say, because the Holy Spirit will teach you in that moment what needs to be said."

The commentary on the Gospel by Monsignor Vincenzo Paglia

Jesus has already said it other times: "Whoever wants to save his life will lose it." However, he knows our weakness and knows well that we can give in to the lure of temptation and fall into sin. Jesus is always ready to forgive, as the following statement suggests: "Whoever speaks against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him." It could be said that Jesus tolerates the misunderstanding of him and the repentance that must follow, but he cannot tolerate the misunderstanding relating to God's plan of love, that is, not recognizing his mercy. This is real blasphemy. In fact, he adds: "But whoever blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven." The evangelist Mark also quotes these severe words, adding: "For they said: he is possessed by an impure spirit" (3.30). The sin against the Spirit is not recognizing the very presence of God in Jesus and also not recognizing in the Church, in the Christian community, the action of the Holy Spirit who forgives and consoles. If we do not recognize the presence of God in Jesus and also in the Church as a reserve of mercy, we blaspheme God and exclude ourselves from the path of salvation because we deny the merciful love of God. Jesus' words are severe for those who betray, but consoling for those who persevere. The Lord understands our weakness. And he always comes to meet us, particularly in difficult moments: "Don't worry" - he tells us - "the Holy Spirit will teach you in that moment what needs to be said". The company of the Lord is our strength.