“At that, some of the scribes said to themselves, ‘This man is blaspheming.’ Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, ‘Why do you harbor evil thoughts?’” Matthew 9:1–8, The Gospel for the Thursday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time.
After Jesus announced the forgiveness of a man’s sins, Jesus’ opponents accused him of blasphemy. It almost doesn’t matter what he had said or done because his adversaries always found a reason to denounce him.
This incident reminds me of Pope Francis. A subset of Catholics accuse him of blasphemy regularly. Like here, here, and here. There are too many examples to list. Sometimes, I think Pope Francis could cure cancer, and someone would accuse him of blasphemy and heresy.
It happened during the COVID-19 pandemic when several Catholic influencers falsely asserted the vaccine was made with cells from an aborted fetus. They went on to claim it was immoral to be vaccinated although the pope described vaccination a “moral obligation” and an “act of love.” Francis relied on the proper Catholic medical authorities who assured them that the vaccine was licit, but his antagonists continued to falsely assert the vaccine was tainted.
The Gospel says, “Jesus knew what they were thinking.” You wouldn’t have to be a mind reader to know the thoughts of his enemies. Sometimes, you can just tell what a person is thinking by the expression on their face, especially if you know them or if they appear displeased. Besides, a tree is known by its fruits. Bad fruit blossoms from a wicked tree rooted in evil thoughts.
This Gospel teaches me three interrelated lessons.
- When religious people hold evil thoughts, either intentionally or not, they will eventually accuse other people of blasphemy. There’s no way to escape it. When a person feels themself to be righteous, they will find wickedness everywhere with an inner sin detector. In time, they’ll realize that even people who share their faith and not truly upright. The righteous will discover some heretical ideas among their fellow believers. Because they love God so much, these righteous ones will put themselves in the place of God and determine who and what is blasphemous. They might even accuse God’s Son of blasphemy, and this might be the most blasphemous thing anyone can do.
- Accusing people of blasphemy arises from harboring evil thoughts. If I’m accusing someone of blasphemy, it’s probably a sign that I’m holding onto evil thoughts. When I find myself doing it or if someone points it out to me, I have a providential opportunity to stop and prayerfully examine my heart.
- The accusation of blasphemy arose because Jesus forgave a man’s sins. Forgiveness, sadly, is often an occasion for the “righteous” to charge blasphemy. The righteous can’t bear the words of forgiveness. Their pride refuses to allow them to admit their own guilt or to admit that they’re loved enough to receive forgiveness. That kind of “righteousness” arises out of self-loathing perfectionism. It’s personified in a parable of Jesus; the righteous older son refuses to enter the party thrown by the father after forgiving his prodigal younger son.
This again reminds me of Pope Francis’ opponents who often get riled up when he insists on showing mercy. Or when recognizes the complicated issues regarding divorce, remarriage, and the reception of communion in Amoris Laetitia. Or when he asks, “Who am I to judge” gay people.
Feeling overly confident in one’s own beliefs, theology, and intelligence is a trap one digs for oneself. “Do not be too righteous, and do not act too wise; why should you destroy yourself?” (Ecclesiastes 7:16). Centuries before the development of psychoanalysis, the Biblical book of Proverbs observed, “Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on the one who starts it rolling” (Proverbs 26:27).
Pope Francis emphasizes the forgiving heart of Jesus in his apostolic exhortation Joy of the Gospel (Evangelli Gaudium). “God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy.”
In the Gospel, Jesus not only forgives the man’s sins, but he also creates an opening for his opponents to experience forgiveness. Their accusation of blasphemy reveals their deceitful thoughts. He points it out not to embarrass them but to elicit their repentance.
This story presents an occasion to identify with the man who is forgiven and with the religious people harboring evil. In both cases, Jesus brings forgiveness and hope. That’s why this story is gospel for me.
Jesus creates a space for the self-righteous to experience forgiveness, and it begins with being confronted with the evil hidden deep within that has been covered by religious accretions. The religious observances may be good and holy, but they do not substitute for justice, mercy, and faith.
In some cases, religious practice can obscure these “weightier matters” to the point of accusing God’s Son of blasphemy for forgiving someone.
May we seek to be people who celebrate forgiveness, not commit evil in the name of righteousness, and cultivate an unpretentious spirit. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” in every aspect of life.
