On the Most Holy Name of Jesus

The month of January is dedicated to the Most Holy Name of Jesus. It is on the third of January that we celebrate the optional memoria of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, and throughout the whole month we consider our veneration of the name given to Our Blessed Lord.

Throughout Sacred Scripture, we see that God gives those who are involved in his divine plan a name. Abram became Abraham, Sarai became Sarah, and Jacob became Israel, right on through to Simon the fisherman, who was called Rock (Peter). In many cases, this new name reflected their new role. Our Lord’s name was designated even before his conception. This demonstrates that throughout every instant of his life, he had this purpose and role.

“Look! You are to conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus.” (Lk 1:31)

The Glorification of the Name of Jesus by Antoine Sallaert.

“She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.” (Mt 1:21)

In this latter passage, Gabriel points out what Jesus’ purpose is – to save people from their sins – to bring salvation. The name itself means “God saves”. At once, it echoes the mystery of the Incarnation, which the feasts of Christmas and the Epiphany highlight particularly, telling us that this child is God. Secondly, it reveals to us why God became flesh and dwelt among us (Jn 1:14). He came to save us, as Gabriel tells us.

A consideration of the Holy Name of Jesus naturally leads us to consider the great veneration that the Jews have for the tetragrammaton, revealed to Moses at the sight of the burning bush. The name was considered so sacred that “Lord” was often used instead whenever it appeared in the Old Testament. While the name of Jesus is not given this reserved regard, it should nonetheless not be used profanely. After all, in Paul’s epistle to the Philippians he tells us that at the name of Jesus “every knee shall bow” (Phil 2:10). This sentiment is reflected in the liturgy as we all bow our heads at least whenever the Holy Name of our Blessed Saviour is mentioned. This attitude should not therefore be suspended outside of the liturgy. The name of Jesus should not be used lightly, let alone in outright blasphemous situations. Furthermore, since the rate of blasphemy as regards the holy name is increasing, acts of reparation for this should be undertaken by all who hold the name in great reverence. A good way of doing this would be to say the corresponding Divine Praise “Blessed be the name of Jesus”, preferably out loud so as to repair for the blasphemy said aloud.

Happy Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God/Feast of the Circumcision...

... and blessings for the year to come.

Happy Christmas!

Best wishes to you all at Christmas!

Domine, non sum dignus...

...ut intres sub tectum meum, sed tantum dic verbo et sanabitur anima mea.

Today I went to my last Sunday EF Mass for probably a very long time. And so I'm quite sad. The older liturgy has really enriched my view of Catholicism, and made me feel connected to the very same Mass that so many saints of old attended while here on earth. Today, the Gospel concerned the curing of a leper and the faith of the centurion when Jesus cured his servant. It is from this passage that we get the (soon to be) "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word, and my soul shall be healed". It is in this confession (in the EF it is said threefold while beating the breast) that we acknowledge how we are always unworthy to receive the Lord, yet He still invites us to come to Him, for He is "meek and humble of heart" and in Him we "find rest for [our] souls". Yet again we can marvel at the depths of the love of our Saviour, that He suffers our sinfulness even in our reception of Him (sadly, given the large difference in the Communion lines with the Confession lines, many people receive truly unworthily with mortal sin on their souls). In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the Lord calls us and moves our hearts to approach the fountain of mercy which pours from His own, and then gives His Body and Blood for us, that we may become like Him, and love to a greater capacity, and love more truly, with the love of God. Lord, we truly are not worthy of such favour. And that is why it is called grace - gratia - because it is gratis.

Sermon 31, by Pope St Leo the Great

 On the Feast of the Epiphany,

After celebrating but lately the day on which immaculate virginity brought forth the Saviour of mankind, the venerable feast of the Epiphany, dearly beloved, gives us continuance of joy, that the force of our exultation and the fervour of our faith may not grow cool, in the midst of neighbouring and kindred mysteries. For it concerns all men's salvation, that the infancy of the Mediator between God and men was already manifested to the whole world, while He was still detained in the tiny town. For although He had chosen the Israelitish nation, and one family out of that nation, from whom to assume the nature of all mankind, yet He was unwilling that the early days of His birth should be concealed within the narrow limits of His mother's home: but desired to be soon recognized by all, seeing that He deigned to be born for all. To three wise men , therefore, appeared a star of new splendour in the region of the East, which, being brighter and fairer than the other stars, might easily attract the eyes and minds of those that looked on it, so that at once that might be observed not to be meaningless, which had so unusual an appearance. He therefore who gave the sign, gave to the beholders understanding of it, and caused inquiry to be made about that, of which He had thus caused understanding, and after inquiry made, offered Himself to be found.

These three men follow the leading of the light above, and with steadfast gaze obeying the indications of the guiding splendour, are led to the recognition of the Truth by the brilliance of Grace, for they supposed that a king's birth was notified in a human sense, and that it must be sought in a royal city. Yet He who had taken a slave's form, and had come not to judge, but to be judged, chose Bethlehem for His nativity, Jerusalem for His passion. But Herod, hearing that a prince of the Jews was born, suspected a successor, and was in great terror: and to compass the death of the Author of Salvation, pledged himself to a false homage. How happy had he been, if he had imitated the wise men's faith, and turned to a pious use what he designed for deceit. What blind wickedness of foolish jealousy, to think you can overthrow the Divine plan by your frenzy. The Lord of the world, who offers an eternal Kingdom, seeks not a temporal. Why do you attempt to change the unchangeable order of things ordained, and to forestall others in their crime? The death of Christ belongs not to your time. The Gospel must be first set on foot, the Kingdom of God first preached, healings first given to the sick, wondrous acts first performed. Why do you wish yourself to have the blame of what will belong to another's work, and why without being able to effect your wicked design, do you bring on yourself alone the charge of wishing the evil? You gain nothing and carriest out nothing by this intriguing. He that was born voluntarily shall die of His own free will. The Wise men, therefore, fulfil their desire, and come to the child, the Lord Jesus Christ, the same star going before them. They adore the Word in flesh, the Wisdom in infancy, the Power in weakness, the Lord of majesty in the reality of man: and by their gifts make open acknowledgment of what they believe in their hearts, that they may show forth the mystery of their faith and understanding. The incence they offer to God, the myrrh to Man, the gold to the King, consciously paying honour to the Divine and human Nature in union: because while each substance had its own properties, there was no difference in the power of either. had he been, if he had imitated the wise

And when the wise men had returned to their own land, and Jesus had been carried into Egypt at the Divine suggestion, Herod's madness blazes out into fruitless schemes. He orders all the little ones in Bethlehem to be slain, and since he knows not which infant to fear, extends a general sentence against the age he suspects. But that which the wicked king removes from the world, Christ admits to heaven: and on those for whom He had not yet spent His redeeming blood, He already bestows the dignity of martyrdom. Lift your faithful hearts then, dearly-beloved, to the gracious blaze of eternal light, and in adoration of the mysteries dispensed for man's salvation give your diligent heed to the things which have been wrought on your behalf. Love the purity of a chaste life, because Christ is the Son of a virgin. Abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul 1 Peter 2:11, the blessed Apostle, present in his words as we read, exhorts us, In malice be ye children 1 Corinthians 14:20 , because the Lord of glory conformed Himself to the infancy of mortals. Follow after humility which the Son of God deigned to teach His disciples. Put on the power of patience, in which you may be able to gain your souls; seeing that He who is the Redemption of all, is also the Strength of all. Set your minds on the things which are above, not on the things which are on the earth Colossians 3:2 . Walk firmly along the path of truth and life: let not earthly things hinder you for whom are prepared heavenly things through our Lord Jesus Christ, who with the Father and the Holy Ghost lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

from NewAdvent.org, under Fathers

A weapon of Victory, the Holy Rosary.

Today, while saying the Rosary, something unbelievable happened. When meditating on the Lord's glorious Resurrection, I experienced a great yet very calm joy. I realised that I've found it very easy to mourn the Lord when considering his most painful and most loving Passion, but when it came to the Resurrection, I found it stirred nothing within me. Good Friday seemed a lot more significant because of this. Perhaps this is because I've experienced death, but the mystery of the Resurrection was beyond my comprehension, even my emotional comprehension. Of course, feelings are not what should guide one's faith, and the fact that I felt nothing did not make me once doubt the Resurrection. Also, the mystery of the Resurrection is beyond complete comprehension. However, I think what I sensed today was Christ's victory. The Jews expected a militaristic Messiah/Christ, one who would lead them to victory over their oppressors and enemies. And Christ did achieve this through his resurrection victory. His victory over death and sin - the real oppressors. His victory over Satan - the real enemy. The Lord conquered with love.
It is perhaps appropriate that this sense of the victory of Christ came to me both today and the fact that I was saying the Rosary. For today is the memoria of Our Lady of the Rosary, which, when it was first commemorated, was called Our Lady of Victory.
Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.