The Name of Jesus is repeated almost a thousand times in the New Testament. St. Paul even describes the reverence that is to be given to the Holy Name of Jesus. 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.”
We reverence his name because we reverence, and show highest respect and honor to Him. Liturgically, this is observed, whenever the priest pronounces the name of Jesus in the prayers, he bows his head. His name is not just reverenced liturgically, though. The second commandment forbids us from taking the name of the Lord in vain.
We are to use the name of Jesus in prayer, in worship, always with respect and love.
The devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus spread particularly in the 15th century St. Bernardine of Siena. The great preacher Saint Bernardine was moved by stories of the apostles healing in the name of Jesus, demons being cast out in the name of Jesus, the forgiveness of sins comes through the name of Jesus, the name of Jesus makes heaven exult and hell tremble. The name that contains his power and help. The name, which recalls that God comes in the flesh to save us.
He was also concerned with the resurgence of paganism. 15th century Italy saw a concerning resurgence of the cult of apollo, the pagan Greek god of the son. So St. Bernardine took the three Greek letters, Iota, Eta, Sigma, IHS, which are the first three letters of the name of Jesus in Greek, and emblazoned them on vestments and sacred vessels and banners, to replace the false pagan worship with the authentic worship of the true Son of the Father. At the time, there was also deep political division between two groups: the Guelphs and the Ghibellines. St. Bernardine urged people to adopt the IHS rather than the banners of these two groups.
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.
In a time of political division and secular godlessness, we do well to invoke the powerful name of Jesus, to emblazen it in our churches and homes and on our hearts, that the true God may be made known, and worshipped, and loved, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.
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We bring forth now our prayers of petitions.
For the conversion of all those who have turned their hearts from Christ, for those who have fallen into serious sin, for a strengthening of all of the faithful in virtue. And that through the Holy Name of Jesus, God may bring the faithless to believe in His Son and increase the faith of those struggling to believe.
For Christians who are persecuted throughout the world, especially those who face martyrdom, that they may have a faith that is constant and pure.
For those oppressed by hunger, sickness or loneliness, that through the mystery of the Nativity of Christ, they may find relief in both mind and body.
For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.
Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord
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