On January 3rd, the Church invites us to celebrate the Most Holy Name of Jesus, a feast laden with theological depth and practical devotion. Rooted in the scriptures, particularly Titus 2:11-15 and Luke 2:21, this day calls us to marvel at the confluence of God’s grace and His revelation in the person of Jesus Christ.
Titus 2:11-15: The Grace of God Appears
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world, awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ…”
Here, St. Paul expounds upon the transformative power of grace. St. Ambrose, reflecting on this passage, writes:
“The grace of God does not simply illuminate; it remakes. For it is by His appearing in the flesh that He trains the hearts of men, leading them from vice to virtue.”
The epiphany of grace in Christ is not only salvific but also pedagogical. It teaches us the manner of living that corresponds to the dignity of those redeemed by His blood. In this sense, the Incarnation is both a gift and a call—a divine summons to holiness. St. John Chrysostom, in his homilies, emphasizes this aspect:
“The appearing of Christ is both a light to those in darkness and a rod to the proud. It beckons the humble to follow and bids the sinner repent, for He is not only Savior but also Judge.”
Luke 2:21: The Most Holy Name
“At the end of eight days, when He was circumcised, He was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.”
The circumcision of Christ, observed in Luke 2:21, ties the Holy Name to the mystery of the Incarnation and the Law. St. Augustine observes:
“By undergoing circumcision, Christ did not merely fulfill the Law but pointed to the spiritual circumcision of the heart. The Name given Him, ‘Jesus,’ signifies His mission: to save His people from their sins.”
The Name of Jesus is more than a designation; it is a proclamation of His identity and mission. St. Bernard of Clairvaux extols this Name as a source of consolation and power:
“The Name of Jesus is honey in the mouth, melody in the ear, and joy in the heart. It is a light to the mind, strength to the weary, and hope to the sinner.”
This divine Name encapsulates the entirety of the Gospel. It reminds us that salvation is not an abstract concept but a person—God made flesh, whose very Name declares His purpose.
Theological and Liturgical Harmony
The pairing of these passages on the Feast of the Holy Name is no coincidence. Titus 2:11-15 proclaims the universal reach of God’s grace, while Luke 2:21 focuses on the specificity of the Savior’s mission. Together, they echo the words of St. Athanasius:
“He became man so that men might become gods. By assuming a Name, He made Himself known to us and united us to His divinity.”
The liturgical celebration of the Holy Name, particularly in its traditional observance, invites the faithful to meditate upon the humility of Christ’s Incarnation and the majesty of His salvific work. By invoking His Name with reverence and love, we participate in the mystery of His mission.
Practical Devotion to the Holy Name
The Feast of the Holy Name encourages us to renew our devotion to Jesus through the frequent invocation of His Name. St. Francis de Sales advises:
“Let us often say with the heart and lips, ‘Jesus,’ the sweetest of names, for it will strengthen the soul in temptation and raise it when it falls.”
The Litany of the Holy Name, an indulgenced devotion, beautifully encapsulates the Church’s reverence for this Name. Each invocation is a step closer to understanding the profound love of Christ for His people.
Conclusion: Grace, Redemption, and the Name Above All Names
As we commemorate the Holy Name of Jesus on Die Tertia Januarii, we are reminded that His Name is the summit of God’s self-revelation. It is a Name that saves, teaches, and sanctifies. Let us, like the saints, carry it upon our lips and in our hearts, for in the Name of Jesus, we find salvation and peace.
In the words of St. Peter Chrysologus:
“Call upon the Name of Jesus in every need, for it is the Name that brings heaven to earth and raises earth to heaven.”
May this feast renew in us a fervent love for the Savior and His Holy Name, that we might live in the grace He has bestowed, awaiting the blessed hope of His return.