What Is in a Name?

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

The Most Holy Name of Jesus

1 Jn 2:29-3:6; Jn 1:29-34

The feast of the holy name of Jesus is a unique celebration. 

We might ask, ‘What is in a name?’ But how often do we realize that ‘name signifies power’? 

We should celebrate the name of Jesus for three reasons. 

To remember our salvation: Invoking the name of Jesus is not done for the namesake. Rather, the act signifies an active remembrance of our salvation that Jesus won for us on the cross because the name of Jesus means ‘The Lord is salvation.’ Hence, when we say ‘Jesus,’ we not only call on Jesus but also confess our salvation. 

To remember that the name changed the world: The early Christian Church was persecuted because it uttered the name of Jesus. Why would the persecutors fear if ‘Jesus’ is merely a name? The enemies of Jesus sensed danger and threat at the utterance of Jesus’ name and did whatever they could to silence those who uttered it. As such, it is the transforming power of the name of Jesus that we remember whenever we call upon his name. 

To provide us with direction and meaning: The utterance of the name of Jesus points to a memory. This memory is ‘dangerous’ (according to theologian Johann Baptist Metz) because it demands a life worthy of the name that we utter. In that sense, the name of Jesus is life-altering, thanks to its ability to provide us with direction and meaning. 

Therefore, following Shakespeare, we cannot ask, ‘What is in a name?’ because there is everything in the name of Jesus!

Let us celebrate the name that gave us life, changed the world, and provide us with direction and meaning. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar