THE  NAME  OF  JESUS

INTRODUCTION

The title of my brief homily for this Friday in the Octave of Easter  is, “The Name of Jesus.”

I’m sure you noticed in the New Testament the words, “the name of Jesus.”

It’s right there in today’s first reading. Annas the high priest, Caiphas and various other big shots question Peter – on his right to be doing what he’s doing – preaching and healing in the name of Jesus.

And Peter accepts their complaint and announces that’s exactly what he is doing – He’s doing everything in the name of Jesus.

MAIN WORD FOR MARRIED PEOPLE  

I remember reading somewhere along the line the comment that married people  - people in love – use one word more than any other word.

Obvious that triggered a response in my mind. Is it the word “love” as in “I love you?”

Nope. It’s the person’s name – for their beloved.

Not being married I didn’t know that.

So I started listening. Sure enough, it is the other person’s first name.

Then I thought back to seeing kids doodle – on paper – on covers – on loose leaf binders – the name of their girl friend or boyfriend at the time.

How difficult is it to get a tattoo off?

How does this phenomenon – this reality – show up in the world of Facebook,  texting, twittering, emailing?

I’m sure this could be measured better with digital technology.

PRAYER   

So how about taking the name of Jesus – and making it an inner prayer?

How about taking a rosary and just running through the 59 beads and slowly saying and savoring the name of Jesus?

“Jesus” “Jesus” “Jesus” “Jesus” “Jesus” “Jesus” “Jesus”  “Jesus” “Jesus”

How about taking a rosary and saying 59 times, “Hallowed be your name.”

How about taking a rosary and saying 59 times, “Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

How about checking out how we say the name of Jesus when we’re praying?  How is our reverence, respect, awe levels, when we say the name of Jesus?