Feast of the
Holy Name of Jesus

“At that time, after eight days were accomplished that the Child should be circumcised, His name was called JESUS, which was called by the Angel before He was conceived in the womb.” (S. Luke 2, 21)

Why was He named Jesus?  Because Jesus means Redeemer and Savior, and He had come to redeem and save the world. (St. Matthew 1:21) This is the holiest, most venerable, and most powerful name by which we can be saved.

This name has the greatest power, for it repels all attacks of the evil spirit, as Jesus Himself says. (St. Mark 16:17) And so great is the efficacy of this most holy name that even those who are not righteous, can by it expel devils. (St. Matth. 7:22) It has power to cure physical pains and evils, as when used by the Apostles (Acts 3:3-7) and Christ promised that the faithful by using it could do the same. (St. Mark 16:17)

St. Bernard calls the name of Jesus a “Medicine” and St. Chrysostom says, “This name cures all ills; it gives succor in all the ailments of the soul, in temptations, in faint-heartedness, in sorrow, and in all evil desires, etc.” “Let him who cannot excite contrition in his heart for the sins he has committed, think of the loving, meek, and suffering Jesus, invoke His holy name with fervor and confidence, and he will feel his heart touched and made better,” says St. Lawrence Justinian. It overcomes and dispels the temptations of the enemy: “When we fight against Satan in the name of Jesus,” says the martyr St. Justin, “Jesus fights for us, in us, and with us, and the enemies must flee as soon as they hear the name of Jesus.”

It secures us help and blessings in all corporal and spiritual necessities, because nothing is impossible to him who asks in the name of Jesus, whatever tends to his salvation will be given him. (St. John 14:13) Therefore it is useful above all things, to invoke this holy name in all dangers of body and soul, in doubts, in temptations, especially in temptations against holy chastity, and still more so when one has fallen into sin, from which he desires to be delivered; for this name is like oil (Cant. 1:2) which cures, nourishes, and illumines.

To experience its power, this holy name must be pronounced with lively faith, with steadfast, unshaken confidence, with deepest reverence and devotion, for in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in Heaven, on earth, and under the earth. (Philipp. 2:10)

What wickedness, then, is theirs who habitually pronounce this name carelessly and irreverently, upon every occasion! Such a habit is certainly diabolical; for the damned and the devils constantly abuse God and His holy name.

Why does this name so seldom manifest its power in our days? Because Christian faith is daily becoming weaker, and confidence less, while perfect submission to the will of God is wanting. When faith grows stronger among people, and confidence greater, then will the power of this most sacred name manifest itself in more wonderful and consoling aspects.

Prayer to Jesus in difficulties

O Jesus! Consolation of the afflicted! Thy name is indeed poured out like oil; for Thou dost illumine those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death; Thou dost disperse the blindness of the soul and dost cure its ills; Thou givest food and drink to those who hunger and thirst after justice. Be also, O Jesus! My Savior, the physician of my soul, the healer of its wounds. O Jesus! Succor of those who are in need, be my protector in temptations! O Jesus! Father of the poor, do Thou nourish me! O Jesus! Joy of the Angels, do Thou comfort me! O Jesus! my only hope and refuge , be my helper in the hour of death, for there is given us no other name beneath the sun by which we may be saved, but Thy most blessed name Jesus!

Exhortation: St. Paul says: “All whatsoever you do in word or in work, all things do ye in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Coloss. 3:17) We should, therefore, follow the example of the Saints, and continually say, at least in our hearts: “For love of Thee, O Jesus, I rise; for love of Thee I lie down; for love of Thee I eat, drink, and enjoy myself; for love of Thee I work, speak, or am silent.” Thus we will accustom ourselves to do all in the name of Jesus, by which everything is easily or at least meritoriously accomplished.

Rev. Leonard Goffine, Explanation of the Epistles and Gospels, (Fr. Pustet & Co.: New York, 1880)