The Powerful Name of Jesus

By Tom Dennehy

The month of January is dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus and it is an ideal time to strengthen our devotion to the beautiful name of Our Lord as we begin a New Year.

The name of Jesus is holy. It was given to Him from on high as it was the message of the angel sent by God to Mary. “The angel said to her, Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour. Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High.” Luke 1;31.32.

That is why we honour His name and why taking His Divine Name in vain is such a grave offence. Furthermore, His name is powerful; healing, transforming and life changing. We ought to deepen our devotion to it by frequently calling upon Him throughout our day and throughout our lives.

His Apostles constantly preached and healed through the power of His name and Jesus promised that we, his disciples can do the very same.”

“Then Peter filled with the Holy Spirit, addressed them. Rulers of the people and elders! If you are questioning us today about an act of kindness to a cripple, and asking us how he was healed, then I am glad to tell you all that It was by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene , the one you crucified , whom God raised from the dead, by this name and no other that this man is able to stand up perfectly healthy, here in your presence, today.”Acts 4;9.10.

The beautiful name, Jesus, means, “God saves“ so the name of Jesus is not only the name of our saviour but also, by its meaning, states the purpose of His existence, reminding us of the incredible blessing of salvation.

Today reverence for the Holy name of Jesus has never been lower. His name is used regularly in an irreverent way in conversation. People are not even aware that they are using the name of Jesus in a disrespectful way. They do not know about the amazing power of the Holy Name of Jesus.

We must always remember that God gave us the second commandment – “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain”.

We read in Scripture, “At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow, 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”. Phil 2;10.11

Faith in Jesus and the power of His holy name is among the most important spiritual force. His Name is the highest prayer and the most powerful Divine appeal. It is a source of joy and inspiration for our missionaries; of strength for our suffering Church, a source of hope and consolation to our sick and dying. The final word uttered by our beautiful Christian martyrs for 2000 years has been “Jesus”.

So as we face into a New Year let us cultivate grateful hearts. A grateful heart is a happy heart. Let us give thanks to Jesus for all the many graces we have been given. Offer praise and thanksgiving to Him in all situations as a sign of complete trust and surrender, knowing that God is in control and nothing is impossible for Him. Let us set aside time for prayer each day as we will not be able to face the challenges that come our way otherwise. Go to Mass as often as we can and receive Holy Communion and spend some time in Adoration. Stay close to Our Blessed Mother as she is constantly interceding for us before the throne of God. Keep Her rosary close to our hearts and recite it often.

By reverent use of The Holy Name:

1. We gain an indulgence for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.

2. We are saved from innumerable evils and His Name delivers us especially from the power of The Devil who is constantly trying to do us harm.

3. Our souls are gradually filled with a Joy and Peace we never had before.

4. Let us ask God for all we need with absolute confidence of being heard. Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you,if you ask anything of the Father, He will give it to you in my name”. John 16;23.

5. Each time we say His Holy Name we give God infinite joy and glory, for we offer Him all the infinite merits of the passion and death of Jesus Christ.

During our day, we should say, ”Jesus, I trust in you” several times. We must keep His name holy so that when it is uttered it fills the hearts of those who hear it with Faith, Hope and Love. The last words uttered by Pope Benedict Emeritus were, “Jesus, I love you”.