Tag: Angel Gabriel

The Holy Name of Jesus -“every knee shall bend”

AM+DG

According to the Traditional Rite, we celebrate today (2nd January)  the Feast of  the Most  Holy Name. On 1st January — the Octave day of Christmas – we celebrated the Circumcision of Our Lord. It seems most fitting, then, that today we celebrate His Holy Name.

( Psalm 103:1-2; 20-22)

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and let all that is within thee bless His Holy Name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and never forget all He hath done for thee. … Bless the LORD, all you his angels, mighty in strength, acting at his behest,obedient to his command. 21 Bless the LORD, all you his hosts, his ministers who carry out his will. 22 Bless the LORD, all his creatures, everywhere in his domain. Bless the LORD, my soul!

The name itself signifies the power of the Name. “Jesus” means ‘God saves’.

At the Annunciation the Angel Gabriel revealed His Name (Luke2:21)  “His name was called Jesus, which was called by the Angel before He was conceived in the womb.” At the Incarnation, the Word of God became Jesus –  God made man.

By His word, God created all things out of nothing, He sustains the whole universe. His words are indicative of His infinite power. The name of ‘Jesus’ signifies God’s infinite Power.

Through it we can do wonders; through it St Peter cured a lame man.  Sts. Peter  and John met a beggar at the temple, but they had nothing to give him. St Peter said -” * Peter said, “I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean,[rise and] walk.”  (Acts 3:6)

Fr Paul O”Sullivan ( in his book ‘The Wonders of the holy Name‘ tells us that St Paul did everything through Jesus’ Holy Name. He uprooted paganism, and cast out idols. He told us that “In the Name of Jesus every knee shall bend in Heaven, on earth and in Hell”.Many saints tell us of the power of this Holy Name. It is a Name, we should call on at all times – in trials and tribulations, in joy and sorrow. The Holy Name of Jesus is the easiest and shortest of prayers. It can be said by all, even in the midst of daily work.“We need to invoke the name of Jesus “asking Him to save us from the calamities that threaten us.” (Fr Paul O’Sullivan)

St Paul suffered much in all his travels, spreading the Name of Jesus.

 “He bore  the Name of Jesus on his forehead because he gloried in proclaiming it to all men; he bore it on his lips because he loved to invoke it; on his hands, for he loved to write it in his epistles; in his heart, for his heart burned with love of it. “

In these times, we must take his advice and do the same.

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The readings at Mass today (in the Extraordinary form) were really beautiful. ( 1962 missal)

INTROIT Philip. 2:10-11

At the name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of the Father.
Ps. 8:2. O Lord, our Lord, how glorious is Your name over all the earth!
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT

O God, it was You who conferred the name of Jesus upon Your only-begotten Son, the Savior of the world. Grant that by venerating His holy name on earth we may enjoy His presence in heaven. Through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and rules with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

EPISTLE Acts 4:8-12

In those days, Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said to them: “Ye princes of the people and ancients, hear. If we this day are examined concerning the good deed done to the infirm man, by what means he hath been made whole: Be it known to you all and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God hath raised from the dead, even by him, this man standeth here before you, whole.

” This is the stone which was rejected by you the builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other. For there is no other name under heaven given to men, whereby we must be saved.”
GRADUAL Ps. 105:47; Isa 63:16

Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the nations that we may give thanks to Your holy name and glory in praising You.
V. You, O Lord, are our Father, our Redeemer. From eternity is Your name.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 144:21

My lips shall speak the praise of the Lord; let all men bless His holy name.  Alleluia!

GOSPEL Luke 2:21

At that time, after eight days were accomplished, that the child should be circumcised, his name was called JESUS, which was called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 85:12, 5

I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify Your name forever. For You, O Lord, are sweet and mild, abounding in kindness to all who call upon You, alleluia!

SECRET

O Most Merciful God, may Your blessing, which gives life to all creation, sanctify the sacrifice we offer in honor of the name of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Let this act of praise be pleasing to Your majesty and profitable towards our own salvation. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Ps. 85:9-10

All the nations You have made shall come and worship You, O Lord, and glorify Your name. For great  You are and do wondrous deeds. You alone are God. Alleluia!

POSTCOMMUNION
O Almighty and eternal God, who created and redeemed us, graciously hear our petitions. Receive kindly and favorably this saving Sacrificial Victim, which we have offered to Your majesty in honor of the name of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Pour out Your grace upon us, that we may rejoice to see our names written in heaven under the glorious name of Jesus, who is the pledge of our eternal predestination. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .