3rd January 2013 - The Most Holy Name of Jesus

In the Franciscan calendar of special community observances, the tenth day of Christmas is the day dedicated to the Most Holy Name of Jesus. "At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow". In the old Sarum Calendar this observance was made on 7th August, but was not universally kept in the Latin Roman Church. It links back to the story from Luke's Gospel of the Circumcision and Naming of Jesus traditionally commemorated on January 1st, but goes further in recalling the way Scripture states that "whoseover calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

God's name represents both God's power and presence. To call upon God's name is to enter into a personal relationship with Him and draws us above and beyond ourselves. To call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ our saviour is a way of expression our loving devotion to God through Jesus.

As contemplative prayer developed in the primitive monastic communities of the second and third centuries of the Christian era, calling upon the name of Jesus in humility and simplicity of heart was discovered to be the best way to 'pray without ceasing' as St Paul had recommended. Saint Benedict, father of Western Monasticism urged his followers to give priority to making their prayers 'brief and pure'. 

This way of prayer was at the heart of Franciscan religious life and mission a thousand years later, when friars went all over Europe, preaching the Gospel, using words only when strictly necessary. They taught the people they evangelised to pray using the Most Holy Name of Jesus.

Although the Eastern Churches have no equivalent commemoration, contemplative prayer, called 'the prayer of quiet', invoking the Most Holy Name of Jesus, is at the core of their spiritual tradition for all baptized Christians not just those inspired by the witness of monasticism.

The name of Jesus is a complete reminder of his story, his teachings, all that He has done for us and what it means for our lives. When we can't properly express ourselves in words of prayer we can rest assured that the name of the Word of life given for us God with us in the Name of Jesus will hold us close to Himself, and never let go of us.

  

1st January 2013

The octave day of Christmas is the first day of the secular New Year. On this day the modern Roman calendar honours Mary under the title 'Mother of God' formally given to her at the Council of Ephesus in 451, in recognising the union of divine and human natures in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The Anglican calendar celebrates this day of Christmas by recalling the circumcision and naming of Jesus by his parents, giving him 'the name which is above all names' - by its very meaning 'God saves'. The name in Hebrew is Yeshua (Joshua in English, isa in Arabic). It is translated into New testament Greek as 'ie-sous', from whence Jesus comes into European languages. January 3rd in the Franciscan Divine Office is the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus.

The rite of circumcision, whilst not uncommon in many cultures around the world, was one which had a special meaning for the people of Israel as a mark of male identity, performed as soon after birth as possible - a physical testimony of the covenant between Hebrew people and God. Jewish women are not circumcised. Scripture at the outset calls them to 'be fruitful and multiply' in this they are blessed and keep covenant with God. Virginity and sterility in Jewish culture are considered a curse. Identity in the family is inherited through the mother who, in the home, is guardian of Jewish teachings and traditions. Honouring Mary as Mother of God not only celebrates her vital spiritual role in the mystery of salvation, and it recognises the specific rootedness of the Saviour in world culture and history.

Jesus is not named by his father as was customary, but receives the name given to his mother by the angel Gabriel before she consents to his conception. By his birth into a Jewish family he receives his unique social and cultural identity. His name provided God's angelic messenger reflects his divine origin as the eternal Word - 'of the Father's love begotten'. These are revealed as one when he is circumcised, eight days after his birth.

By this we are reminded to pay attention to the times and circumstances we find ourselves in, and to seek God's meaning and purpose within them, this day and every day, seeking to discern God's presence through Jesus - God with us always.