The Holy Name of Jesus

The Church celebrates two Memorials today, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first American born saint, and foundress of the Sisters of Charity of St Joseph and the Catholic School system, and The Holy Name of Jesus. Since we are still in the Christmas Season, we will focus on the Holy Name.
In Hebrew culture, the name of someone reflects the essence of that person, who he or she is.  It is, then, the most powerful name of all, that of the Son of God, our Savior, Yeshua in Hebrew.  Jesus himself refers to its power when he says, "Whatever you ask in my name I will do." (Jn 14:13). Richard Rolle de Hampole, an English mystic, hermit and writer of  early 14th century England beautifully describes what the name can do:  "If you think the name 'Jesus' continually, it purges our sin and kindles hour heart; it clarifies your soul; it removes anger and does away with slowness.  I wounds in love and fulfills charity.  It chases the devil away and puts out dread. It opens heaven, and makes you a contemplative.  It puts all vices and phantoms out from the lover."  St. Paul writes:  "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 2:10-11).  May we repeat this holy name reverently often today as our simple yet most powerful prayer.
Bro. Rene