St. Edward on the Lake, Lakeport, MI
January 1, 2013
Ti 2:11-15; Lk 2:21
Today, we celebrate the Octave Day of Christmas and also the Circumcision of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The latter is no longer a celebration in the revised calendar. But there still remains something very important for us to learn from here. It is at His circumcision where the Divine Child was named Jesus – the Name that was given to Him by the angel Gabriel at the Annunciation when He was conceived in Mary’s womb.
The Name of Jesus is a powerful Name and a prayer in itself. The Name means “God saves”, which reminds us of why God entered into the world in the first place – to save us from sin and death. Whenever we use the Holy Name, we make a kind of profession of faith that He is indeed our Savior. We must also have faith in the saving power of Our Lord’s Name. St. Bernard of Clairvaux said it beautifully in this way:
Never yet was human being in urgent need, and on the point of perishing, who invoked this help-giving Name, and was not powerfully sustained. It was given us for the cure of all our ills; to soften the impetuosity of anger, to quench the fire of concupiscence, to conquer pride, to mitigate the pain of our wounds, to overcome the thirst of avarice, to quiet sensual passions, and the desires of low pleasures. If we call to our minds the Name of Jesus, it brings before us His most meek and humble heart, and gives us a new knowledge of His most loving and tender compassion. The Name of Jesus is the purest, and holiest, the noblest and most indulgent of names, the Name of all blessings and of all virtues; it is the Name of the God-Man, of sanctity itself. To think of Jesus is to think of the great, infinite God Who, having given us His life as an example, has also bestowed the necessary understanding, energy and assistance to enable us to follow and imitate Him, in our thoughts, inclinations, words and actions. If the Name of Jesus reaches the depths of our heart, it leaves heavenly virtue there.
The Name of Our Lord is powerful indeed. This is why we must take special care not to use the Holy Name in vain or even to use it casually. Instead, we must say His Name with reverence especially when we pray in His Name. Jesus Himself said throughout the Gospels to pray in His Name because God’s physical and spiritual help, protection, and blessings are given through His Son. Today, we bless and give praise to the Name of Our Lord because He has come to save us and set us free.
