26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Since 2002 the Feast-day of the ‘Holy Name of Jesus’ has been included in the calendar of the universal Church for the 3rd of January each year. Today’s Gospel reading draws our attention to how sacred is the name of Jesus, and so, it is another opportunity to honour the Holy Name of Jesus
Miracles are worked in His name, Devils are cast out in his name and a cup of water given in his name acquires a whole new spiritual value and meaning.
We might ask, how is it that there is so much disrespect for the name of Jesus Christ? Jesus is the Son of God, Jesus is God. Do we use the name of Jesus as if our Faith in him is strong? We need to question the Faith of those who habitually disrespect sacred names. Our Liturgy always draws us to pray to the Father through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
In the Acts of the Apostles we are given a wonderful example and model of just how the early Church respected the name of Jesus: Peter, when asked by a crippled man for help says; ‘Silver and Gold, I have none but what I have I give you in the name of Jesus, the Nazarene, walk.’ That is the name that Peter bore, and that is the name that we, as Christians, bear. We belong to Jesus Christ and we bear his name. Every part of our own being, every part of our life belongs to him.
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus is not advocating self-mutilation in the literal sense – He is emphasising that sacred things must not be defiled. We are sacred!
Our hands are sacred. Hands are for welcoming, greeting, for serving and giving, for healing and caressing, for raising in prayer. Otherwise they are already cut off from Jesus Christ.
Our feet are sacred. Feet are for going on Mission; “How lovely are the feet of those who bring Good News” (Isaiah). If our feet are used for running away from our responsibility as Disciples of Christ, they are already cut off from Him.
Our eyes are sacred. Eyes are the windows of the soul – to let God’s light in, to shine out with God’s love. If they hate light and avoid it, if they are dark and lustful and judgmental, they are already cut off from Jesus Christ.
As Christians, our feet, our hands, our eyes are for God’s service. They are consecrated in Baptism to be members, part of the Body of Christ. We use them to proclaim who we are and to Praise the Name we bear, Jesus Christ, the Lord.
Prayer of Saint Bernadine (15th Century Franciscan).
Glorious name! Beautiful Name! Name that tells of love and excellence. Through you we have forgiveness of our sins, victory over our enemies, healing in our sickness, strength and joy as we suffer the trials of life … In the furnace of your burning love our desires are kindled, our prayers are granted, contemplative souls are entranced. Through you all who are glorified come in triumph to everlasting glory. Most merciful Jesus grant through your most holy name that we too may be numbered amongst those who share your kingdom.