The Most Holy Name of Jesus, Part I

“From the rising of the sun until its going down, the name of the Lord is worthy of praise.” (Psalm 113)

Every mystery of Christ, every mercy, every title of honor, every benefit, every effort of divine love which we adore forms a whole sequence of our redemption and justification. The sacred name of Jesus presents to our minds the majesty and glory of his divinity while at the same time we are aware of the endearing charms of his sacred humanity. His name is the title of his supreme majesty and dominion, his glorious victory over sin while at the same time it is to us the expression of all graces and blessings of which he is the inexhaustible source.

Surely there is no one among us, no one worthy of the name of Christian who needs to be reminded of why this sacred name is venerated. In the first place it comes from God himself. It was necessary for God the Father to give a name to him who is the Son of God. It was necessary that the Father give the name to his own Son, for God alone understood the consubstantial eternal Word, the boundless perfection of his divine nature and the unsearchable mystery of the Incarnation and his office as the redeemer of the world. Therefore was this glorious name conceived in the infinite intelligence of the Almighty. Therefore was it declared by the ministry of an angel that He should be called Jesus because he will save his people from their sins. Therefore it becomes to us to honor and revere this name that comes from a source which none can be higher or more exalted.

Commentary by Father Paul Robichaud, CSP

The feast of the Holy Name of Jesus has its origin in the New Testament. In the Gospel of Luke, an angel tells Mary that God has chosen a name for the infant and this same message is delivered to Joseph in the Gospel of Matthew. St. Matthew also discusses the meaning of the two names of the child, “Jesus” for “Yahweh saves” and “Emmanuel” for “God is with us.” Father Hecker makes the same point when he states that God the Father has named God the Son – who is the Word of God made flesh. In chapter 16 of the Gospel of John, Jesus says, ” whatever you ask in my name, my Father will give you.” This same point is made by Paul in his letter to the Romans. This is the origin of ending prayers in a variety of styles such as, “in his most holy name,” or “through Christ Our Lord.” Reverence for the name of Jesus goes back to early Christianity.

At the time of Father Hecker, a feast day had been set aside during the Christmas season for the Holy Name of Jesus. In time, it was eventually merged with the Feast of the Presentation in the Temple (when Jesus was circumsized), and today has replaced this feast day, de-emphasizing the circumcision rite – and like Father Hecker’s sermon – placing emphasis on the power of the name of God. Just as Moses asked God for his name on Sinai so that Moses could call upon him, so Christians know the name of the God man and live in the grace, blessing and power of his name.

The Holy Name of Jesus is worthy of veneration because of its eminence. He has been placed by his heavenly Father above all men, in recompense for his obedience to the will of the Father. His humanity is exalted above all creatures and he has been appointed the supreme judge of all men, the living and the dead. As is his humanity is elevated above all, so also is his sacred name honored above all other names and so it is worthy of the homage of every creature. In the words of St. Paul, he humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even the death of the cross, wherefore God has exalted him and has given him a name which is above all names, so that in the name of Jesus, every knee should bend. But as if these considerations were insufficient to make our reverence for this holy name spring spontaneous from our hearts, there it remains a final and irresistible motive inclining us into the spirit of today’s festival. The name of Jesus is significant to the office of our Blessed Lord, he shall be called Jesus because he shall save his people from their sins. In this name then, is comprised the entire mystery of our redemption.

About this series

Father Paul Robichaud, CSP, is the historian of the Paulist Fathers and postulator of the Cause of Father Hecker. His office is located at the Hecker Center in Washington, D.C.

If you have asked Father Hecker to pray for you or another person who is ill and you believe something miraculous has happened, please phone Father Robichaud at 202-269-2519 or write to [email protected] and tell him your story.