Optional Memorial of the Holy Name of Jesus
I've said this before, but it bears repeating:
On this "optional Memorial" of the Holy Name of Jesus, designated as such by Pope JPII in 2002 (he was really just reinstating an observance that had been set aside after Vatican II), we take note of the naming of this child born unto us, this son that is given for us. Joseph was told in his dream: "You shall call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins." So when we say that name, we recall the greatest gift that has been given to us: salvation.
In the Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus, we refer to "Jesus, splendor of the Father...brightness of eternal light... eternal wisdom... infinite goodness...."
Trinitarian love is not a self-contained end in itself - it is always opening up something fresh within Itself to pour out on us, to give existence to what did not exist, to communicate something new yet eternal, to give life where death had been tightening its grip.
This Child named Jesus reminds us that the ever-new beginning, the infinite "givingness" of God, is tangible - salvation is ours because Love has been made flesh, Beauty made flesh, Life made flesh, Truth made flesh, Wisdom, Goodness, Justice made flesh and is among us, with us, for us.
This Child elevates and illumines the new beginning that is every new life, every absolved penitent whose childlikeness has been restored, every dawn, every heartbeat. Behold, He makes all things new.
We love You, Jesus. We praise You, Jesus. We thank You, Jesus.
*I found this graphic for a "Yeshua" t-shirt at christianshirts.net
posted by KathrynTherese at 5:24 PM
5 Comments:
Amen. Amen. Amen.
I love this post, kt. All the Divine Attributes made flesh; all the names of Jesus with descriptions, so we can try to grasp something of the immensity of Him. A beautiful feast; so much to reflect upon.
Around one year ago or so, on my blog I took one of the litanies (not to the Holy Name but one to the Heart of Jesus, i think) and rewrote it as an examination of conscience. I can tell ya it keeps me humble and focused in a direction so hard to live in.
Thank God for grace, imo.
This was great. So was the entry on the spiritual exercises.
Normally we only do the deMontfort ones, which seem to be very much like them.
Tess, it's good to hear from you again!
I don't know the Montfortian exercises, but I'm sure that most retreats focus in the same general direction - contrition, amendment, resolution.
Using a litany as an examen... I like that, Tess. Not just an act of praise, but an examination of how fully I am responding. We will perhaps use this idea when we talk about living a truly eucharistic life.
Hi, Happy Christmas and New Year, and I hope you all had a most blessed Epiphany too. As for me, I turned 54 on Epiphany and had a delightful weekend!
Rather than figure out how to do a link again, here's the content from my blog in December 2005:
December 6, 2005
Examination of Conscience
Filed under: Pages
Examination of conscience
Are you:
Amiable?
Patient?
Obedient?
Meek?
Humble of heart?
Do you:
Love chastity?
Other people?
Seek peace?
Are you:
Life-giving?
Love-giving?
Do you:
Pursue virtue?
Love souls?
Give refuge?
Parent or Adopt the poor?
Treasure the faithful?
Shepherd people toward the Good?
Shine with true light?
Do you:
Seek eternal wisdom?
Seek Infinite goodness?
Flee evil?
Flee sin?
Avoid snares of the devil?
Avoid the spirit of fornication?
Avoid neglecting His inspirations?
Do you ponder or contemplate or think about or appreciate or have gratitude for:
His Incarnation?
His Nativity?
His Infancy?
His labors?
His Agony and Passion?
His Cross?
His Sufferings?
His Death and Burial?
His Resurrection?
His Ascension?
His Institution of the most Holy Eucharist?
___________
Do with it what you will, whether blog or leave in comments or whatever. LOL, it's not like it is mine!
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