Feast of Holy Name 5.1.14
When we want to get someone’s attention we call his name. This is a form of summoning the person.
So when we call on the Holy Name, the name of Jesus, we are summoning Him to be present. We do this in emergencies, but we can do it at all times. The more the better.
We have been saying in the Christmas season that God has come to us. So He has. He comes as Saviour; He brings Himself close to us. But we have to do something to receive Him. He wants to give but we have to receive. For all the effort He makes to be with us we have to make some effort to be with Him.
So He gives us a way of reaching Him. He gives us His name to call upon. If we call that name reverently, and in faith, then great power will be released in our midst. The holiness and goodness of God will be evident.
To meet the Saviour at close quarters is to be saved. Our salvation is advanced every time we call upon Him.
Salvation is a process which has many levels. It means ultimately going to heaven; but it also means being able to overcome our sinful habits in this life; being set free from addictions; becoming more Christ-like in the way we live; and even transforming the world till it becomes the kingdom of God.
All this and more, from merely saying, Jesus! His name is the key to the lock. We have the door but how to open it? Call on His name.
We have other ways of making contact with Him. All our prayer and sacraments will do this. It does not matter so much by what title we call Him, as long as we make contact with His Person. He is the only Saviour, and no other will do.
We do not call on Bob or Sam when we need our sins forgiven, or huge problems solved. We may call on other people for lesser needs but only Jesus can cover the ones that really count. .
St Peter said to the onlookers after working the miracle with the crippled man. By this name and by no other can we be saved.
This man - even the winds and the sea obey Him. Even life and death: Lazarus come out.
The more devoutly we pray the more devoutly we will pray – that is, one contact with Jesus will make us stronger in faith for the next one. We grow in knowledge and love of Him.
His name is not magic but sets in train a sequence of causes and effects which will bring about the desired result. Magic acts outside of the person but Salvation works within and through the person.
We are progressively saved as we come to know His will in all its aspects, and be more willing to serve Him.
The crippled man stood up; so can the crippled human race!
All who are still bound up with sin and darkness can walk free, ‘walking and leaping and giving praise to God’.
The more people calling on this name the more obvious will be the effects.
At present tragically the Holy Name is much blasphemed.
This is another reason to call on His Name – to atone for the blasphemy. We apologize on behalf of the human race, and we pray that Jesus will hear the proper use of His name from those who love Him.
And that a more direct sense of His importance will spread through the world.
Blessed be the name of the Lord. Blessed be His holy Name.
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