Today we celebrate one of the most important feast days, that of the Holy Name. There is no other name under heaven given to man whereby he must be saved… The very pronunciation of this Name with devotion is enough to save the greatest sinner and win heaven! This Name, so despised by the world and used to curse and damn is sweeter than honey from the honeycomb and enlivens the heart of anyone truly desirous of salvation.
This Most Holy Name leads us to the contemplation of the Word made flesh and of His sacrifice. Born of the spotless Virgin Mother, whose name is revered, dearest Mary, the rose without a thorn.
I will tell you a secret… You and I and all who are called to the life of Love, have a special name known only to God. “I know my sheep and mine know me, and I call each by name…” When it is time for us to pass this life, this pilgrimage in the vale of tears, God whispers this name to the soul and the soul, unable to withstand the call, leaves the body to meet the Ineffable and Eternal Creator, there in His presence to give an account. May it be the great and magnificent homecoming that it is meant to be, and not a terror of judgement. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and in this moment we make plea now, while we can, to the Holy Name of Jesus, not just for ourselves, but everyone we love and do not love, for each person that we know and do not know. We fly on the wings of healing to the Heart of Christ, where all manner of sin and imperfection is forgiven and forgotten and where the merits of Him Who alone is our help in ages past and our hope for years to come, imputes these merits to us by grace and inexpressible kindness. United to His sacrifice even the most minute actions become saving and meritorious. The very breaths we take, the blink of an eye, the thoughts we think, everything is transformed for our benefit by the One Who made us. How marvelous is the Catholic faith!
Blessed be the Holy Name of Jesus, now and forever.
