Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus
Giacomo della Porta, Holy Name of Jesus, c 1580, Church of the Gesu, Rome
January 3: Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus
Devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus dates to the Second Council of Lyons in 1274. Pope Gregory X wrote, “We have also judged it proper to persuade the faithful to demonstrate more reverence for that name above all names, the only name in which we claim salvation—the name of Jesus Christ, Who has redeemed us from the bondage of sin.”
On Monday I wrote we are children of God by adoption. Jesus is our intercessor to God. To pray—to ask in Jesus’ name—assures us that God our Father will hear our prayers. Jesus said, “And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.” John 14:13-14
The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate want to give you the gift of prayer. Please send us your prayer intentions so we can pray for your needs at Mass, joining our voices with you in Jesus’ name.
I leave you with the words of St. Paul, Philippians 2:5-11.
Philippians 2:5-11
Christ Jesus, Who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.
Rather, he emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
coming in human likeness;
and found human in appearance, he humbled himself,
becoming obedient to death,
even death on a cross.
Because of this, 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.
During this joyous Christmas season, we think about Our Savior who was born to help the poor and most abandoned. Would you please help the Missionary Oblates care for them? God bless you for sharing your gifts!