DAILY- HOMILY

January 3, 2018 – WEDNESDAY, THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS

Titular Feast of the Society of Jesus

Solemnity. White.

Sir 51: 11 - 17 / Phil 2: 1- 11 / Lk 2: 21 - 24

The Most Holy Name of Jesus is the titular Feast of the Society of Jesus, "Whosoever would enlist in the cause of God neath the standard of the cross, to serve the Lord alone and the Roman Pontiff, his Vicar on earth, and wishes to do this in our Society, which we want distinguished by the name of Jesus ..." (Formula of the Society of Jesus approved by Pope Paul Ill, 27 September 1540)

FROM THE 1ST READING:             Sir 51: 11 - 14, 17

And my prayer was heard, you saved me from destruction and delivered me from an evil plight. That is why I give you thanks and praise and bless the Name of the Lord. In my youth, before I set out on my travels, I openly sought wisdom in prayer; before the Temple I asked for her and I will pursue her to the end of my days...

With her help I made progress and I will glorify him who gives me wisdom, for I decided to put it into practice and ardently seek what is good.. I shall not regret it.

FROM THE 2ND READING:            Phil 2: 5- 11

Let what was seen in Christ Jesus be seen in you: Though being divine in nature, he did not claim in fact equality with God, but emptied himself, taking on the nature of a servant, made in human likeness, and in his appearance found as a man. He humbled himself by being obedient to death, death on the cross. That is why God exalted him and gave him the Name which outshines all names, so that at the Name of Jesus all knees should bend in heaven, on earth and among the dead, and all tongues proclaim that Christ Jesus is the Lord to the glory of God the Father.

FROM THE GOSPEL READING:     Lk 2: 21

On the eighth day, the circumcision of the baby had to be performed; he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

REFLECTION

The Society of Jesus celebrates today its Titular Feast honoring the giving of the Name Jesus to the Child Jesus. St. Ignatius always wanted to "name" his least Society under the most holy Name: St. Ignatius wanted each Jesuit to be an "extension" of the person of Jesus since he bears his name and is a companion of Jesus.

Honoring the holy Name and propagating the devotion to the Most Holy Name of Jesus are not unique with the Jesuits: Franciscan St. Bernardine of Siena (1380 - 1444) propagated devotion to the holy Name Jesus.

Various spiritual writers have mentioned that the most powerful protection against the Evil One is the holy Name of Jesus.

It is perhaps quite unfortunate for us Filipinos that we hastily mention the name of Jesus or of the holy Family beginning with Jesus' name when disaster occurs or something untoward and unexpected happens. We so easily mention or call on the name Jesus unnecessarily and irreverently.

Today's Solemnity in the Jesuit calendar reminds us of God's great gift to us of the Name Jesus: "... at the Name of Jesus all knees should bend in heaven, on earth and among the dead, and all tongues proclaim that Christ Jesus is the Lord to the glory of God the Father." (Phil 2: 10- 11)

As we celebrate the Solemnity of the holy Name, let us pray that we re­discover a deeper sense of awe and devotion to the holy Name Jesus. May we always call on the holy Name when blessings come our way, in moments of triumph and bliss, when we solve problems or overcome difficulties and trials. May we also call on his Name in moments of trial and need, in our frustrations and heartaches: indeed the Name Jesus is salvation and redemption for all of us.

May the holy Name truly touch our lives and bring blessings and salvation to all.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY 

     Jan Brian R. Anos-Os

     Christopher Karl W Cuyegkeng

     Rose Lalain Ting 

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY 

     Antonio & Lourdes Choa

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most. 

Have a good day!

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