Do you have the habit of using the name of Jesus in vain? Why not use the powerful name of Jesus more often as a prayer? - Daily Reflections January 3,2014

THE POWER OF JESUS’ NAME

 

Parents today give their children strange and unique names, names which they sometimes never use to call their children, or which the children later don’t like to be called by. How often do nicknames replace the given name to avoid embarrassing names given at birth?

       It was not so in the time of Jesus. A name given to a child expressed the future task of the child or gave him a program for life. The church, then and until now, urges Catholic parents to name their child after a saint so that the life of this saint can become a model for the child’s life later on.

       Mary and Joseph were not free to give Mary’s child any name they wanted. They had been told to name the child “Yeshua.” Which means “God saves.” Jesus’ name contains the purpose of His life; to save humankind.

       From the Acts of the Apostles, we know that the Apostles first baptized only in the name of Jesus, They healed in the name of Jesus. No wonder that Jesus’ name was soon considered not only holy but also powerful.

       St. Paul wrote to the Philippians, “At the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth, and every tongue confess the Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father” (Philippians 2:10).

       When St. Ignatius of Loyola founded a religious congregation, he was so inspired by the name of Jesus that he called it “Society of Jesus.” We know what great things the Jesuits have done, and are still doing, for the Church.

       We know that Blessed John Paul II often uttered the phrase, “Praised be Jesus Christ!” It gave him the strength for his difficult task as pope.

       What a pity that so many Christians utter the holy name of Jesus without reverence, often in moments of anger! How much stronger could we be in our spiritual life if we could rely more on the power of Jesus’ name and do everything in the name of Jesus – with great reverence? Fr. Rudy Horst, SVD

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Do you have the habit of using the name of Jesus in vain? Why not use the powerful name of Jesus more often as a prayer?

 

Praised be Jesus Christ! May we, who honor the holy name of Jesus, enjoy His friendship in this life and be filled with eternal joy in His kingdom. Jesus, I trust in You!