Meditate on the graces and gifts of the Holy Name of Jesus with St. Alphonsus Liguori. Continue reading in the deluxe Liguori Set, only at TAN Books!
1. The Name of Jesus Consoles Us
In the first place, the name of Jesus consoles us; for when we invoke Jesus, we find relief in all our afflictions. When we have recourse to Jesus, he wishes to console us, because he loves us; and he can do so, because he is not only man, but he is also the Omnipotent God; otherwise he could not properly have this great name of Saviour.
The name of Jesus signifies that the bearer of it is of an infinite power, infinite wisdom, and infinite love; so that if Jesus Christ had not united in himself all these perfections, he could not have saved us: “If any one of these,” says St. Bernard, “had been wanting, Thou couldst not call Thyself Saviour.” Thus, when speaking of the circumcision, the saint says: “He was circumcised as being the Son of Abraham, he was called Jesus as being the Son of God.”
He is branded as man with the mark of sin, having taken upon himself the burden of atoning for sinners; and from his very infancy he began, to satisfy for their crimes, by suffering and shedding his blood; but he is called Jesus, he is called the Saviour, inasmuch as he is the Son of God, because to God alone does the office of salvation belong.
2. The Name of Jesus Defends Us from Evil
In the second place, we said that the name of Jesus defends us. Yes, it defends us against all the deceits and assaults of our enemies. For this reason the Messias was called the Mighty God; and his name was called by the wise man a strong tower: The name of the Lord is a strong tower; that we may know that he who avails himself of this powerful name will not fear all the assaults of hell.
He has given him a name which is so great and powerful that it is venerated in heaven, on earth, and in hell. A name powerful in heaven, because it can obtain all graces for us; powerful on earth, because it can save all who invoke it with devotion; powerful in hell, because this name makes all the devils tremble. These rebel angles tremble at the sound of that most sacred name, because they remember that Jesus Christ was the Mighty One who destroyed the dominion and power they had before over man.
3. The Name of Jesus Inflames Our Hearts with Devotion
In the third place, the name of Jesus not only consoles us and preserves us from all evil, but it also inflames with holy love all those who pronounce it with devotion. The name of Jesus, that is, of Saviour, is a name which expresses in itself love, for it recalls to us how much Jesus Christ has done and suffered to save us. “The name of Jesus,” says St. Bernard, “places before thee all that God has done for the salvation of the human race.” So that a pious author said, with all the affection of his heart “O my Jesus, how much did it cost Thee to be Jesus, that is, my Saviour!”
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‘This article is taken from a chapter in The Incarnation, Birth, and Infancy of Jesus Christ by St. Alphonsus Liguori which is available from TAN Books.
