Holy Name of Jesus - January 3rd

 

Today, the Church celebrates the memorial of the Holy Name of Jesus. The name of Jesus reminds us of so many wonderful things about Our Lord and His goodness toward us.

For example, at the annunciation the Holy Name will forever refer Our Lord’s incarnation, Mary’s Motherhood, and that Jesus would save us from our sins.

The first mention of the name of Jesus, was at the annunciation, when the angel Gabriel said to Mary, “You shall conceive and bear a Son and give Him the name Jesus”.(Luke 1:31)

At the incarnation, Jesus became man in the womb of Mary. It was then He took upon our human nature, so that His body would be an instrument of our salvation.

At the annunciation, when the Word became flesh and dwelt among us-- in Mary, She became the Mother of Jesus, and so, became the Mother of God. The Holy Name of Jesus therefore reminds us that Mary is the Mother of God.

When the angel Gabriel appeared to St. Joseph in a dream, we come to know that the name “Jesus” means “Savior” as the angel said, “Thou shall name Him Jesus, because He shall save His people from their sins”. Later, throughout the life of Jesus, He would often forgive sinners to save them from their sins.

At 8 days old, when Our Lord formally received the name “Jesus”, it was then He first shed His blood for us. As scripture states, “When the eighth day arrived for His circumcision, the name Jesus was given to the Child.” (Luke 2:21)

When Jesus would suffer and die on the Cross, during the great act of Redemption, above His head would be nailed His name: “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews”.

Jesus, the Redeemer of mankind, would give us His body and blood for us on the Cross to free us from our sins and open the gates of paradise. Our Lord cannot help but be moved when we ask Him to forgive our sins. After all, that is why He died on the Cross. Recall the words of the good thief, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Therefore, whenever we sin, we should immediately remember to call upon the name of Jesus, asking Him to forgive our sins, and then go to confession to be washed in His merciful blood.

The name of Jesus is also associated with the healing of sickness and disease. For example, at Pentecost, the name of Jesus was used by St. Peter to heal a cripple. He said, “In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, walk!”

St. Peter also gave witness to Our Lord’s name being used to save people from hell. He told the rulers, “There is no other name under heaven given to men by which, we must be saved”. (Acts 4:12). As the one mediator between God and man, Jesus is the only way to heaven. St. Paul told the Philippians, “God has exalted Him, and bestowed upon the name that is above every other name, so that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bend on earth and under the earth.” (Pil. 2:9)

"Above the earth and under the earth" refers to every creature paying homage to Jesus the King. Because Our Lord sits on His royal throne, every principality and power, including 9 choirs of angels, and the devil and his fallen angels bend their knees at the Holy Name of Jesus. The Name of Jesus is the terror of demons, and so when we are tempted, we should call upon the name of Jesus to protect us.

Our Lord also told us that whatever we ask in His name, it will be given to us. We should therefore not be afraid to call upon the name of Jesus in all our needs, whether they be spiritual, emotional, or material needs.

The Blessed Virgin Mary in Her Magnificat, reminds us, God’s name is holy. She said, “Holy is His name”. The 10 commandments, tell us to not to take the Lord’s name in vain. God’s name is so holy, that is seriously sinful to say the name of Jesus in an irreverent manner. If we hear someone take the Lord’s name in vain, we can make reparation for this blasphemy by reverently saying the Holy Name of Jesus aloud.

One of the greatest promoters of the Holy Name of Jesus was a Franciscan saint by the name of St. Bernadine of Siena. Because of his preaching, the name of Jesus was added to the Hail Mary, as we pray, “blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.” He also promoted the Holy name of Jesus by the monogram IHS.

The first letter of each word-- refer to the phrase, “Jesus, Savior of Humanity”. I is for Jesus, H for humanity and the S for Savior. The IHS letters can also be seen on the back of the vestment I am wearing.

Finally, let us not forget the Holy Name of Jesus refers to a person. Although He can heal us, forgive us, save us and give us whatever we ask, let us remember He loves us, cares for us, walks with us, and is truly a friend who will never abandon us.

As we prepare to receive Our Lord in the Eucharist, may we resolve to keep the name of Jesus on our lips, within our thoughts, and in our heart, and remember to also utter the Holy Name of Mary, for without Her, fiat, we never could have known the Holy Name of Jesus.