Information about the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus[1]
Readings for the Day, January 3 Year II[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 1 John 2:29–3:6
This selection from St. John’s first letter starts by telling his followers that since they have chosen to act in accordance with the Lord’s commandments, they have received his adoption. At the beginning of the next section the NAB has done a good job with its note:
“The greatest sign of God's love is the gift of his Son (John 3:16) that has made Christians true children of God. This relationship is a present reality and also part of the life to come; true knowledge of God will ultimately be gained, and Christians prepare themselves now by virtuous lives in imitation of the Son.”
In the final paragraph reference to sin and lawlessness are probably references to acting in ways that follow the teachings of the “antichrist” or false teachers.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 98:1, 3cd-4, 5-6
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Psalm 98 is used once more today. This selection from the song of praise and thanksgiving presents the image of God as a mighty warrior is used by the singer, thanking God for his protection and salvation.
Gospel John 1:29-34
St. John’s Gospel continues the story of St. John the Baptist. Here he professes the identity of the Jesus as the Messiah, “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” The author’s theological understanding of the eternal nature of Christ is expressed in the Baptist’s words “A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’
After stating the connection between Jesus the Christ and the Baptist’s mission, the author follows the tradition of the synoptic Gospels as he describes Jesus emerging from his baptism in the Jordan and the decent of the Holy Spirit. St. John concludes this testimony by St. John the Baptist with a solid affirmation that Jesus is the Son of God.
Homily:
Of all the images and all the names of Jesus we receive at this time of year, the one we are given by St. John’s Gospel today provokes the most emotion. We have heard the story of Jesus in the womb of Mary and how he was born in humble surroundings. We probably placed the tiny image of the Christ child in the manger scene in our homes and thought “How cute is the baby Jesus.”
We have heard little about him until his baptism by the Baptist in the Jordan River. Here in the account of St. John’s Gospel is given the image of the Eucharistic Christ. “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” We hear that phrase and respond to it each time we go to Mass. The celebrant elevates the newly consecrated host, now the Body of the Risen Christ and echo’s the marvel of St. John the Baptist. In awe he proclaims that once more the promise is fulfilled, once more the Lord has come so that we might be in him and him in us.
And what is that image, what holy name is used? Is it the babe in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger? Is it the mighty Savior, his winnowing fan in his hand who casts out evil? Is it the Messiah entering the gates of Jerusalem to loud hosannas? No, it is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. The lamb, in Jesus time, the male lamb was the prescribed animal for the sacrifice of atonement; The Lamb of God, the meek and unresisting sacrifice that opened the gates of heaven to us. The blood of that lamb was poured out for all mankind and gained for us the eternal promise.
Today we celebrate, as Church, the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. It is the name bestowed on the only Son of God, the Lamb of God and at that name at which, as St. Paul writes in his letter to the Philippines, “…every knee must bend in the heavens, on the earth, and under the earth, and every tongue proclaim, to the glory of God the Father, that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD.”
Pax
[1] The picture today is “The Adoration of the Name of Jesus” by El Greco, 1578-79
[2] After Links to Readings Expire
Readings for the Day, January 3 Year II[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 1 John 2:29–3:6
This selection from St. John’s first letter starts by telling his followers that since they have chosen to act in accordance with the Lord’s commandments, they have received his adoption. At the beginning of the next section the NAB has done a good job with its note:
“The greatest sign of God's love is the gift of his Son (John 3:16) that has made Christians true children of God. This relationship is a present reality and also part of the life to come; true knowledge of God will ultimately be gained, and Christians prepare themselves now by virtuous lives in imitation of the Son.”
In the final paragraph reference to sin and lawlessness are probably references to acting in ways that follow the teachings of the “antichrist” or false teachers.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 98:1, 3cd-4, 5-6
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Psalm 98 is used once more today. This selection from the song of praise and thanksgiving presents the image of God as a mighty warrior is used by the singer, thanking God for his protection and salvation.
Gospel John 1:29-34
St. John’s Gospel continues the story of St. John the Baptist. Here he professes the identity of the Jesus as the Messiah, “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” The author’s theological understanding of the eternal nature of Christ is expressed in the Baptist’s words “A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’
After stating the connection between Jesus the Christ and the Baptist’s mission, the author follows the tradition of the synoptic Gospels as he describes Jesus emerging from his baptism in the Jordan and the decent of the Holy Spirit. St. John concludes this testimony by St. John the Baptist with a solid affirmation that Jesus is the Son of God.
Homily:
Of all the images and all the names of Jesus we receive at this time of year, the one we are given by St. John’s Gospel today provokes the most emotion. We have heard the story of Jesus in the womb of Mary and how he was born in humble surroundings. We probably placed the tiny image of the Christ child in the manger scene in our homes and thought “How cute is the baby Jesus.”
We have heard little about him until his baptism by the Baptist in the Jordan River. Here in the account of St. John’s Gospel is given the image of the Eucharistic Christ. “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” We hear that phrase and respond to it each time we go to Mass. The celebrant elevates the newly consecrated host, now the Body of the Risen Christ and echo’s the marvel of St. John the Baptist. In awe he proclaims that once more the promise is fulfilled, once more the Lord has come so that we might be in him and him in us.
And what is that image, what holy name is used? Is it the babe in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger? Is it the mighty Savior, his winnowing fan in his hand who casts out evil? Is it the Messiah entering the gates of Jerusalem to loud hosannas? No, it is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. The lamb, in Jesus time, the male lamb was the prescribed animal for the sacrifice of atonement; The Lamb of God, the meek and unresisting sacrifice that opened the gates of heaven to us. The blood of that lamb was poured out for all mankind and gained for us the eternal promise.
Today we celebrate, as Church, the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. It is the name bestowed on the only Son of God, the Lamb of God and at that name at which, as St. Paul writes in his letter to the Philippines, “…every knee must bend in the heavens, on the earth, and under the earth, and every tongue proclaim, to the glory of God the Father, that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD.”
Pax
[1] The picture today is “The Adoration of the Name of Jesus” by El Greco, 1578-79
[2] After Links to Readings Expire
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