They told him,
“Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!”
Saint Luke makes much of the Holy Name; it is dear to the heart of every Christian. We first hear Jesus when the Angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will have a son, despite her virginity, and that she should name him Jesus. This is clearly God's intention.
The name is derived from the Hebrew name Yeshua, meaning deliver or rescue. It is essentially the same as Joshua, whom God appointed to lead the people when Moses died. Saint Matthew's gospel also tells us that the same heavenly messenger ordered Joseph to name the child Jesus.
The name is not unique to Mary's son before or since. Catholics enjoy the book of Ecclesiasticus, written by Jesus ben Sirach.
There is power in the name, as the healing of the blind man suggests. Most of us stop what we're doing when we hear our name called; it causes an immediate reaction and we must respond. Even as he hung upon the cross in the desperate struggle for his last breath, the child of Mary heard his name called by a doomed companion and promised, "This day you will be with me in Paradise."
Saint Bernard of Sienna was so taken with the Holy Name he taught Christians to add it as a final word of the prayer, Ave, Maria! That prayer later evolved and we know it as Hail Mary.
Boomer fans of J.D.Salinger remember when Zooey began to pray the Jesus Prayer, a lovely custom learned from Eastern Catholicism. There are many variations; I learned it as, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a sinner." The practice teaches us to rely on the mercy of God who has lived among us, sees our helplessness, and cares intensely. Calling his name binds us to him. As we pray daily we receive sight and understanding of what our life is really about. We follow him like every other beggar, giving glory to God."There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved.”
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.