Perhaps we are fortunate enough never to have suffered because of our religious faith, as St Ignatius of Antioch did. But even in these times there are still people who are being persecuted, thrown into jail or even killed because they are followers of Jesus. But, on a lower level, how often have we kept quiet about our Christian identity because there are people around us attacking our faith? But Jesus assures us that, whenever our faith is attacked and we have to suffer for it, we can be sure of the guidance of the Holy Spirit in answering our attackers. This has been proved so many times. At the same time, we must never commit the unforgivable sin - a sin against the Holy Spirit. What kind of a sin could that be? It is to deny the unconditional love of God for us. No matter what we do, the forgiving love of God is there for us but, if we close our hearts to that love, what can God do? God can only enter a heart ready to receive him.