By Leon Bent –
The Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus is celebrated by a number of Christian denominations, on varying dates. In Roman Catholicism January 3rd, is traditionally dedicated for this purpose.
Although Saint Paul might claim credit for promoting devotion to the Holy Name because he wrote in Philippians that, God the Father gave Christ Jesus “the name that is above every other name that, at the name of Jesus, every name shall bow, in heaven, on earth and under the earth (the three principal realms in the world view of ancient Israel [Ex.20:4]), and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (2:9-11). This devotion became popular because of the12th-century Cistercian monks and nuns, but, especially through the preaching of Saint Bernardine of Siena, a 15th-century Franciscan.
Bernardine used devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus as a way of overcoming bitter and often bloody class struggles and family rivalries or vendettas in Italian city-states. The devotion grew, partly because of Franciscan and Dominican preachers. It spread even more widely after the Jesuits began promoting it in the 16th century.
The emblem or monogram representing the Holy Name of Jesus consists of three letters: IHS. Some say that the three letters are the initials of: “Jesus Hominum Salvator” (Jesus Saviour of Men). The Jesuits made this monogram the emblem of their Society, adding a cross over the ‘H’ and three nails under it.
Ignatius and his first companions desired that their new Society be designated by the Name, Jesus, and this wish was granted by Pope Paul III in September 1540, when he approved the Society of Jesus. In the revision of the universal calendar in 1996, a separate Feast of the Holy Name was restored to 3rd January. The Society of Jesus has followed suit and also now celebrates the feast on 3rd January.
In 1530, Pope Clement V approved an Office of the Holy Name for the Franciscans. In 1721, Pope Innocent XIII extended this feast to the entire Church.
Jesus died and rose for the sake of all people. No one can trademark or copyright Jesus’ name. Jesus is the Son of God and son of Mary. Everything that exists was created in and through the Son of God (see Colossians 1:15-20). The name of Jesus is debased if any Christian uses it as justification for harassing non-Christians. Jesus reminds us that because we are all related to him, everyone is related to one another.
We give honour to the Name of Jesus, not because we believe that there is any intrinsic power hidden in the letters composing it, but because the Name of Jesus reminds us of all the blessings we receive through our Redeemer-God. To give thanks for these blessings we revere the Holy Name, as we honour our salvation by honouring his Cross. At the Holy Name of Jesus we uncover our heads, and we bend our knees; it launches all our undertakings, as the Emperor Justinian says in his law-book: “In the Name of the Lord of Lords we begin all our consultations”. His Name was invoked with confidence!
• It brings help in bodily needs, according to the promise of Christ: “In my name they shall take up serpents; and if they shall drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them: they shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:17-18).
• In the Name of Jesus the Apostles healed the lame (Acts 3:6; 9:34), and life to the dead (Acts 9:40).
• It gives consolation in spiritual trials. The Name of Jesus reminds the sinner of the Prodigal Son’s father and of the Good Samaritan; it recalls to the just, the suffering and death of the innocent Lamb of God.
• It protects us against Satan and his wiles, for the Devil fears the Name of Jesus, who conquered him through the Cross.
• In the Name of Jesus we obtain every blessing and grace for time and eternity, for Christ has said: “If you ask the Father anything in my name he will give it to you” (John 16:23). Therefore, the Church concludes all her prayers with the words: “Through Our Lord Jesus Christ”, Amen.
Even so when you pronounce the Name of Jesus you know very little of the treasures hidden in it. This Divine Name is, in truth, a treasure-trove of grace; it is the fount of the highest holiness and the secret of the greatest happiness that humanity can hope to enjoy on this Earth. Devotion to the Holy Name is so easy that, everyone without exception can practice it. It can be recited or chanted any time, so that, even the busiest person can repeat it countless times. It is so mighty, so profound, that it never fails to produce in our souls the most wonderful results. It consoles the saddest heart and makes the weakest sinner strong. It obtains for us all kinds of favours and graces, spiritual and temporal. We must do two things: First, we must understand clearly the meaning and value of the Name of Jesus. Secondly, we ought to get into the habit of saying it frequently, hundreds and thousands of times every day. This contemplative recitation will bring us immense joy, consolation and make our heart sing his praises, on and on and on! I have been chanting, “Jesus, Jesus”, often, for several hours, until my soul is suffused and satiated with ambrosial nectar, and the subconscious takes over.
The Holy Name of Jesus saves us from innumerable evils and delivers us especially from the power of the devil who is constantly seeking to do us harm. The Name of Jesus gradually fills our souls with a peace and a joy we never had before. The Name of Jesus gives us such strength that, our sufferings become light and easy to bear. “The Wonders of the Holy Name,” reveals the simplest secret of holiness and happiness ever. It shows us how to pray “without ceasing, and, at all times (I Thess. 5:17).” The prayer is the key to the Heart of God.
Now, this gold nugget! St. Paul’s blazing, exuberant, spontaneous melody on the Name of Jesus is possibly an early Christian hymn (Eph.2:6-11). The lyrics are rich in theological and moral content, and they articulate the mystery of Christ, and set him forth as a model of Christian living. The Father raised him from the dead, enthroned him in heaven and clothed his humanity with divine glory. A similar destiny awaits us if we humble ourselves as Jesus did (Phil. 3:21; Lk.14:11).
Leon Bent is an ex-Seminarian and studied the Liberal Arts and Humanities, and Philosophy, from St. Pius X College, Mumbai. He holds Masters Degree in English Literature and Aesthetics. He has published three Books and have 20 on the anvil. He has two extensively “Researched” Volumes to his name: Hail Full of Grace and Matrimony: The Thousand Faces of Love. He won The Examiner, Silver Pen Award, 2000 for writing on Social Issues, the clincher being a Researched Article on Gypsies in India, published in an issue of the (worldwide circulation) Vidyajyoti Journal of Theological Reflection, New Delhi. On April, 28, 2018, Leon received the Cardinal Ivan Dias Award for a research paper in Mariology.