The book of Ecclesiastes says: “There is an appointed time for everything,” (Eccl. 3:1). In the same way there is a time for everything, we can say that there is a name for everything. We can truly apply this idea in terms of naming things. There is a name for every nation and every street on the global map. Every member in the family has his/her name. Even COVID-19, the virus which affected the entire world, received its name by the World Health Organization (WHO).
A name is important because it can identify what something is and can even speak of who we are. Our name represents us and can set us apart from one another.
The name of Jesus is repeated a total of 977 times in the New Testament. It is interesting to read about how Jesus was named. His name was not announced by humans, but by an angel of God. As such, His name is sacred, holy and distinct. The Church has dedicated the month of January to commemorate the Holy Name of Jesus. Reflecting on Jesus’ Most Holy Name may bring much spiritual benefit to us and can strengthen our love for Him.
First, reflecting on His Holy Name helps us to acknowledge that Jesus is the center of our very existence in thought and action; He is the foundation of our Faith. He is a Mediator between God and man, heaven and earth. His holy name is linked between the Old and New Testaments in the history of salvation. God revealed His sacred name as Yahweh, “I AM who AM” to Moses through the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). This revelation from God Himself indicates that He has been, is and will be “forever,” (Exodus 3:15). Moreover, according to the Gospel of John, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be.” (John 1:1-3). In other words, He is the alpha and omega and the source of all created beings. There is no separation between Jesus’ divinity and His humanity. Jesus is our God and our Savior whom we worship and praise.
Secondly, we learn from scripture that when God names, he gives an identity and a purpose. For example, God changed the name of Abram to Abraham (Genesis 17:5). The meaning of Abram in Hebrew is “exalted father,” but his new name, Abraham, stands for “father of a multitude” which indicates that he is going to be an instrument through which God will build His nation. Likewise, Jesus re-named Simon, which means “listen” in Hebrew, to Peter, which means “rock,” to signify that he would become the foundation of the church (Luke 6:14). Although it is evident that changing names is a norm in Scripture, the only name that never changed from all Eternity was the name of Jesus. To Mary, his Mother, the angel Gabriel said “Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.” (Luke 1:31), and to St. Joseph, His foster father, the angel said in a dream: “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins (Mt 1:20-21). Jesus, in Hebrew means “the Lord is salvation.” Therefore, Jesus’ identity from the beginning of time has always been and remains our Savior. The Holy Name of Jesus speaks of His identity.
Thirdly, Jesus’ name is sacred and distinct (Luke 1:49). Jesus’ name is present in the mystery of the Trinity every time we make the sign of the Cross and say, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Saint Paul writes that we should give thanks always and for everything in the name of Jesus Christ to God the Father (Eph. 5: 20). Saint Paul is convinced that, “God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil 2:9-11). When I imagine the scene of Jesus entering Jerusalem, riding on a donkey, I picture the crowd celebrating his arrival as “King”, joyfully shouting: “Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” (Mt 21:9). The echo of the crowd’s voice seems to miraculously reverberate within me with joy and peace. As such, we should be proud to express our devotion to the Most Holy Name.
A fourth point of significance is that there is an intrinsic, hidden power in His Holy Name. Jesus promised to be with us whenever we pray together: “Wherever two or three are gathered in my name, I will be present in your midst (Matthew 18:20) and, “whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you (Jn. 14:13: 15:16; 16:23). Jesus also promised to reward us when we sacrifice ourselves and give up our family members or property for the sake of His name; He will reward us a hundredfold in this life and the life thereafter (Mt 19:29). Whenever we exercise a little act of kindness and charity for the sake of Christ, our kindness and charity is not in vain, but His grace is upon us for “whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me (Mt 18:5).
So, we pay respect to His Holy Name with our whole being as we patiently and constantly call on His name for assistance just as St Paul writes: “Those who call on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13). It is wonderful and powerful to read how Jesus gives his disciples the power to heal the sick, perform miracles, and drive out demons in His Name. This power intrinsic to Jesus’ Name is manifested in the story of Peter and John who healed the crippled man. Peter said: “I have neither silver nor gold, but what I have I give you in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, rise and walk.”(Acts 3:6). The crippled man was healed completely. Each one of us has our own personal spiritual sickness and diseases. Our desire to be healed and comforted requires that we call upon His Name for assistance.
The power of Christ’s name can also be seen in the martyrs. Looking back at the history of the Church, there are many heroic people who were willing to shed their blood for the faith in the name of Jesus. There were many martyrs who were imprisoned, sentenced to death, and exposed to attacks by wild beasts; but the power of the Most Holy Name of Jesus strengthened them to overcome trials, difficulties and suffering. They sacrificed their lives for the sake of Jesus Christ. For them, there is nothing that could separate them from the love of God or take away their faith in the Name of Jesus. They took Jesus’ warnings seriously: “You will be hated by all because of my name” (Mt 10: 22). Despite the persecutions, they conquered all for the sake of their faith, and for the love of Jesus.
Above all, when we look at our daily lives, we experience the power which underlies a person’s name. Our memory and mind unconsciously connects us to that person whose name we may be thinking about. We can visualize his/her image and character more vividly. In the same way, if we call Jesus’ Name with full and conscious awareness, our mind will remind us of an image, character, and virtues to imitate Him. Our heart and mind will lift us up to Jesus like Paul who exclaimed: “Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Col 1:17). Father Paul Sullivan, O. P., a spiritual writer who encouraged us to invoke and pray with the Holy Name of Jesus, said: “The name of Jesus is the shortest, easiest and the most powerful of prayers. Everyone can say it, even in the midst of his daily work. God cannot refuse to hear it”.
I invite you to join me prayer:
Lord Jesus, may your Holy Name strengthen us in faith, hope, and love. Please forgive us for the times we have used your Holy Name without reverence and honor, or with indifference. May your Holy Name be our strength and our Light. When we are in doubt or confused, let us call on your Most Holy Name for humility to take away the shadow of pride, anxiety and fear, and to lead us to the truth. When we are in despair, may your Holy Name bring us hope and comfort us. In your Name, dissipate all shadows of darkness and loneliness, and may we have trust and confidence in you. In love, may we come to you as the source of Life, to be our defender, protector and advocate when we are surrounded by misunderstanding, misjudgment or unjust condemnation. May your Holy Name lift us up and warm us with the fire of your loving care. O Jesus, we cling to your Holy Name. You are all that we trust, love, and hope for. We ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
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