The Holy Name of Jesus

Sadly, one of the most common expletives in contemporary society is "Jesus". Quite the contrast is given by St. Paul in the familiar passage from his letter to the Philippians: "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, for the glory of God the Father." (Phil 2: 9-11). In the 16th centruy Sts. Bernadine of Siena and John Capistran popularized the name of Jesus with the logo we so take for granted in Catholic circles that we don't even know what it stands for: "IHS". In those days the name Jesus was spelled IHESUS, so the first two and last letters became the abbreviation that found its way to placards, banners, and even to clothing, as a means to stop feuding between families.
Today's commemoration is The Holy Name of Jesus and calls us to look closely at this name, Yeshua in Aramaic, Savior. It is through the name (person) of Jesus that we are saved. So much so that a long-tested prayer, the Jesus Prayer, is at the heart of Eastern Spirituality. "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on us sinners." Repeated over and over, or reduced simply to "Jesus" gives us a sense of his presence, power and love. It brings peace and reminds us of our need for his mercy. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that this name contains the whole mystery of the Incarnation and of the Redemption. Jesus made flesh, died and rose for us. "Jesus" is the summary of the Catechism, Theology, the Creed. All.
Let us use this name with the reverence it deserves and teach our children the same.
Bro. Rene