Homily: January 3 - The Most Holy Name of Jesus - IHS

The Name of Jesus is repeated almost a thousand times in the New Testament.  The Gospels tell us how the archangel Gabriel visited Joseph and declared to him how the Virgin Mary shall conceive a son, and how Joseph was to name him Jesus.

The name ‘Jesus’, in Hebrew, literally means, “God saves”.  For, the little child born in a stable is Savior, is truly the incarnate God come to save us from our sins.

The second commandment instructs us to reverence the name of God, and since Jesus is in the name of the incarnate God, we reverence his name.

The early Christians had profound reference for the name of Jesus.  In one of the early Christian hymns, found in St. Paul’s letter to the Phillippians we hear: “at the Name of Jesus every knee should bend; 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.”

Even now, when the Church is gathered in liturgy, whenever the name of Jesus is pronounced, we are to slightly bow our heads in reverence.

Devotion to the Holy Name was spread particularly in the 15^th century by St. Bernadine of Siena.  In a time of growing faithlessness, St. Bernadine took the first three letters of Jesus’ name in Greek, IHS, and encouraged people to place those letters in their churches, homes, and public buildings.

In one sermon on the Holy Name, St. Bernadine said, “Glorious name, gracious name, name of love and of power! Through you sins are forgiven, through you enemies are vanquished, through you the sick are freed from their illness, through you those suffering in trials are made strong and cheerful. You bring honor to those who believe, you teach those who preach, you give strength to the toiler, you sustain the weary”  Not only did St. Bernadine speak these beautiful words, but many miracles occurred giving testimony to the power of the Holy Name. 

Six centuries later, today, faithlessness grows once again.  The name of Jesus is taken in vain and often mocked on many television channels.  Our children are often not taught to use his name with reverence, love, and devotion.

W e need to remind ourselves that the second commandment is still in force.  When we are more conscious about using his name in prayer, in a reverent way, we are less apt to use his name irreverently.

The holy name of Jesus should be always pronounced with reverence and love.  We see in many of the lives of the saints, how especially at the moment of their deaths, the holy name of Jesus is on their lips, bringing them sweet comfort, strength, and peace.

There is no other name under heaven, by which we are saved.  By his holy name “may we never cease to acknowledge the Savior and hold fast to him (collect)” for the glory of God and salvation of souls.