The Name of the Lord is a Strong Tower.

Homily for January 3, 2018

Today, we celebrate the Most Holy Name of Jesus. The Name of Jesus (when it is said with reference to Jesus Christ) is not an ordinary name. In the Divine Praises at Benediction, we sing: “Blessed be the name of Jesus.”

In Proverbs 18:10, we read: “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.” In St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he clearly shows us the secret behind the power of the Name of Jesus by saying:

“Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11.

I still recall some of the funny games I played with my siblings as a child growing up. When I want them to do something for me, I would begin by saying: “Mummy said, you should go and do so and so…” In actual sense, mummy didn’t say anything like that, but I other to get them to obey, I have presented my case in the name of “Mummy.”

If using mummy’s name gave me some leverage, (some form of power over my elder ones), how much would we achieve when we learn to use the name of the Lord in Faith. Today’s memorial exist to remind us that there is power in the name of Jesus. It is a name respected by all in heaven and on earth and under the earth. It is a name we can rely on in moments of danger, it is a name that must never leave our lips, a name we must constantly praise and adore.

However, care must be taken that we do not utter the name of Jesus in vain. It is sad to say that many have gotten into the habit of exclaiming “Jesus” (“Jeez”, “Jesu” etc.) for things that are not related to God or to worship. Let us remember that by so doing, we are committing sin against the second commandment. It is a bad habit that we must work hard to stop this New Year.

In today’s Gospel passage, John the Baptist points Jesus out to the people. He introduces Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. These are the very words used by the priest at every mass in showing the body and blood of Jesus to the people. Just as John tells us in today’s first reading, Jesus being the lamb (the sacrificial offering) of God “appeared to take away sins and in him there is no sin.”

The best honour we can give to the name of Jesus we bear in our lips is living above sin; living to praise God by our thoughts, words and deeds. If we call Jesus’ name with our mouth, we should not use that same mouth to curse, shout or utter lies. If we want the name of Jesus to work for us, we must behave like children of God, we must (according to John) “purify ourselves as he is pure.” Wearing a contaminated hand-glove to treat an infested patient is just as good as not wearing one at all.

St. John says: “anyone who sins has not seen him, nor has he known him.” The presence and dominance of sin in our lives simply bears testimony to the absence of faith and knowledge of God.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, fill me with your grace to live above sin. Amen

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you and Happy New Year. Memorial of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. Bible Study: 1st John 2:29-3:6 and John 1:29-34.)