The Holy Name of Jesus - January 3

The Holy Name of Jesus
January 3 

"We come to consider how this holy Infant, now born spiritually, shall be named.  I think there is no name more fitting for him than Jesus, for Scripture says:  He was called Jesus (Luke 2:21).  This is the most sacred of all names.  It was foretold by the prophets, announced by an angel, proclaimed by the Apostles, and desired by all the saints.  O powerful name!  O grace-filled and joyous name!  O delightful and glorious name! 

This name is powerful, because it brings down our enemies, restores our strength, and renews our mind.  It is grace-filled, because in it is contained the foundation of faith, the ground of hope, and the fulfillment of holiness.  It is joyous, because it is gladness to the heart, music to the ear, honey to the tongue, and splendor to the mind.  It is delightful, because it nourishes when it is recalled, soothes when it is uttered, anoints when it is invoked, refreshes when it is written, and instructs when it is read.  It is a truly glorious name, because it gives sight to the blind, makes the lame walk, brings hearing to the deaf, speech to the dumb, and life to the dead.  O blest name endowed with such powers!" ( Saint Bonaventure)