The Most Holy Name of Jesus
Saturday, January 3rd Readings Reflection: Optional Memorial of the Most Holy Name of Jesus
Today is the optional Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. Given the importance of this beautiful feast, I chose to write about these readings today.
Today’s Epistle is one with which we are familiar from Holy Week. It is St. Paul’s beautiful passage about Christ becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on the Cross. For this reason, St. Paul continues, “God also hath exalted [H]im, and hath given [H]im a name which is above all names: That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth: And that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father (Phil 2:9-11 DRB).
The Most Holy Name of Jesus is the most powerful Name in Heaven and on earth. The Name means Savior, revealing the purpose for which Christ became incarnate. The Name of Jesus causes demons to tremble and grace to flood the souls of suffering sinners.
Saints who were especially devoted to the Holy Name of Jesus often abbreviated the Name with the three letters IHS, which comes from the Greek words for Jesus Christ. In the 15th century, St. Bernardine of Siena preached devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus by encouraging the faithful to have the letters IHS written above their doors. The beautiful ceiling fresco of the Gesu church in Rome (pictured below), the mother church of the Jesuit order, depicts the letters IHS. These three letters are seen everywhere—from sacred art to liturgical vestments—to remind the faithful of the power of Jesus’ Name.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux writes that calling upon the Name of Jesus calms all sinful passions, strengthens against temptation, and builds up virtue. By calling upon the perfect Model of holiness and virtue, the God-Man Jesus Christ, we seek to imitate Him in all things, recognizing that this imitation does not occur through our own efforts but rather by His grace within us.
This devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus is rooted in Sacred Scripture, as can be seen (to give just one example) from Psalm 104 (105): “Give glory to the Lord, and call upon [H]is name…. Glory in [H]is holy name” (Ps 104:1-3). Today’s feast, which fittingly falls during the Twelve Days of Christmas, reminds us of the power of the Name of Jesus, Whose Nativity we continue to celebrate. One week after Christ was born, Mary and Joseph brought Him to be circumcised and named Him Jesus, as the angel had instructed them to do. One week after His birth, Our Lord was given this most powerful Name, revealing the beautiful paradox of His divine power even as a tiny, helpless infant.
We know that Our Lord hears our prayer whenever we call upon His Name, and He pours forth His graces upon our souls each time we do so. For this reason, we should develop the pious practice of frequently praying ejaculations using the Holy Name of Jesus throughout the day, so that His Name might always be upon our lips. The Church grants many indulgences for these beautiful ejaculations, which are meritorious not only for ourselves but also for the holy souls in Purgatory. On this beautiful Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, may we resolve to call upon the Name of Jesus frequently each day, in order that He may never be far from our minds and hearts.
My Jesus, mercy!
Jesus I trust in you
Jesus , the love of my life.